Job details

Children's Legal Intern

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you're a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.TITLE: Children’s Legal InternshipLOCATION: New York, NYSTARTDATE: SPRING 2025DURATION:January 2025 – April 2025 – HybridSchedulePOSITIONREPORTS TO: Mary Wilcox and Jessica LazoSCOPE OF WORK (Children’s Legal Intern): The Children’s Legal Services (CLS) program in NewYork provides legal representation to unaccompanied children. To be eligiblefor services, unaccompanied children must be under the age of 18 at the timethey enter the CLS program, have no immigration status, and, at same time, havebeen officially designated as an unaccompanied child by the Office of RefugeeResettlement (ORR). We help them understand the immigration systems, preparethem for hearings, evaluate and advise them on the types of immigrationapplications they can file, and assist them with preparing their filings. Manycases will also involve hearings in NY state court, and we provide preparationand representation for those hearings as well.RESPONSIBILITIES:Support in building and fosteringrelationships with our young clients by participating in client meetings.Provideadministrative support to the Children’s Legal Services team, includingchecking for upcoming court hearings, communicating regularly withclients, preparing applications, drafting supporting documents, andsupport in filing with appropriate agencies.Perform research onimmigration issues, country conditions, etc.Partake in onlineimmigration law trainings and webinars.Assist in tapping into other IRC NYprograms to get additional support for clients when needed, such aseducational resources, etc.LEARNINGOBJECTIVES:Intern will gain exposure and understand various immigration processes and reliefs available to unaccompanied children.Intern will gain an understanding of a trauma-informed, client centered approach and the special considerations when working with children in a legal setting.Intern will gain exposure to NY family court and procedures.Intern will learn how to manage client cases within established deadlines.Intern will develop problem solving skills, client services skills, and intercultural social work skills.Minimum Qualifications:• Must be in enrolled in and have completed 1L at an ABA-accredited law school.• Proficiency in Spanish is strongly preferred.• Must have a demonstrated passion for working with children and/or low-to-moderate income immigrant populations (including refugees, asylum seekers,etc.).• Must be motivated, flexible, able to manage time effectively, and able to workindependently as well as within a dynamic team.• Must successfully complete IRC orientation and full background check (Live Scan& HireRight).Standard of Professional Conduct:The IRC and the IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – our Code of Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability, and Equality.Commitment to Gender, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion: The IRC is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, respectful, and safe work environment where all persons are treated fairly, with dignity and respect. The IRC expressly prohibits and will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or bullying of the IRC persons in any work setting. We aim to increase the representation of women, people that are from country and communities we serve, and people who identify as races and ethnicities that are under-represented in global power structures.

What You Should Know About Children's Legal Intern, International Rescue Committee

If you're looking to make a real difference in the lives of children and shape your future in law, the Children’s Legal Internship at the International Rescue Committee (IRC) in New York, NY, might just be the perfect opportunity for you. As part of a dedicated team, you'll be working on the forefront of immigration law, helping unaccompanied minors navigate the complex immigration system. This hands-on internship will offer you substantial exposure to various legal processes and the chance to contribute to meaningful change. Throughout your time here, you’ll engage directly with young clients, providing vital support that has a lasting impact on their futures. Your role will encompass a variety of tasks, including preparing immigration applications, attending client meetings, conducting legal research, and even participating in online training sessions. This is the perfect environment for a law student who's completed their first year at an ABA-accredited institution and wants to gain practical experience while advocating for underrepresented communities. Proficiency in Spanish is highly preferred, as it allows for better communication with a significant portion of our client base. At the IRC, we strive to uphold the highest values of integrity, service, and accountability, and we are committed to fostering an inclusive environment. So, if you're passionate about helping children and making a difference through the law, we invite you to apply for this incredible internship opportunity starting in January 2025. Your journey with IRC could be the first step in a rewarding legal career dedicated to humanitarian causes.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Children's Legal Intern Role at International Rescue Committee

What are the responsibilities of a Children's Legal Intern at the International Rescue Committee?

As a Children's Legal Intern at the International Rescue Committee (IRC), you will have a variety of responsibilities aimed at supporting unaccompanied children through the immigration process. You'll assist in client meetings to build relationships, provide administrative support to the Children’s Legal Services team, conduct research on relevant immigration issues, and engage in online training to enhance your skills. Additionally, you will help prepare applications and draft essential documents for filing with appropriate agencies.