Refugee Representation Legal Fellow
Human Rights First See More Job Openings by This Employer
- Grant
- Remote
- Washington, DC, New York, or Los Angeles or Remote
July 13, 2025
Job Description
Refugee Representation Legal Fellow
Human Rights First’s Refugee Representation team seeks to sponsor a law student or recent law school graduate as a legal fellow for a one- or two-year fellowship. We seek current law student applicants who intend to apply for external law foundation or law school fellowship programs.
Human Rights First is a nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy and action organization committed to defending human rights. Our Refugee Representation team, which recruits and mentors lawyers to represent asylum seekers on a pro bono basis, is one of the largest and most successful programs of its kind in the country.
NATURE OF THE FELLOWSHIP
The fellow will work full-time in our Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., or New York office. They will report to one of our Managing Attorneys, all of whom are committed to providing mentorship and guidance throughout the length of the fellowship. Previous legal fellows with Human Rights First have had the opportunity to, among other things, represent clients in immigration court and before the Asylum Office; engage in representation and advocacy on behalf of detained asylum seekers; conduct research and advocacy on border policies impacting asylum seekers; and draft press releases, policy recommendations, and reports to advocate for systemic change of the asylum system, many of which have been reported in media outlets such as The Los Angeles Times, Washington Post and Buzzfeed News.
Human Rights First is primarily interested in projects that will support our efforts in Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., and New York to advance due process and address systemic impediments to access to counsel and fair proceedings in the legal representation and treatment of asylum-seekers during border processes, asylum office interviews, and immigration court hearings. We are also interested in projects relating to representation of particularly vulnerable populations, such as indigenous language speakers, survivors of gender-based violence, among others.
We will also consider innovative, impactful asylum-related projects outside the delineated areas.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND EXPERIENCE
- A U.S. law degree (J.D.) by summer 2026;
- Admission to a state bar or pending admission as of fall 2026;
- Previous experience working with asylum-seekers or immigrants, though law school clinics, judicial clerkships, or legal internships;
- Strong written and oral communication skills;
- Ability to communicate patiently, respectfully, and empathetically with individuals from a variety of backgrounds;
- Familiarity with U.S. immigration law and policy;
- Ability to take initiative, manage numerous tasks simultaneously, work under pressure, meet deadlines, and identify and analyze legal issues; and
- Fluency in Spanish is preferred; fluency in another language, such as an Indigenous language of the Americas, Haitian Creole, or French, is desirable.
Potential legal fellowship candidates who are interested in pursuing placement at Human Rights First may submit their cover letter, resume, and project description by going to www.humanrightsfirst.org/careerswww.humanrightsfirst.org/careers. In your cover letter, identify law foundation, law school, and any other postgraduate fellowships available to you. If you are considering law school fellowships, please outline the parameters governing this school-funded fellowship. Read more about Human Rights First’s Legal Fellowship Program here.
If you are interesting in discussing your proposed project prior to submission, reach out to the Director of Refugee Representation, Farida Chehata, at chehataf@humanrightsfirst.org.
If chosen, Human Rights First will work closely with you during your fellowship application process to secure funding.
Only selected applicants will be contacted for an interview
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