About the role#
The Children's Legal Services (CLS) Legal Externship provides an opportunity to support attorneys working with unaccompanied youth who have entered the U.S. without a parent or legal guardian. Externs assist with cases involving asylum, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS), and humanitarian relief for survivors of human trafficking or serious crimes. This role involves direct client interaction, legal research, and administrative support within a multicultural environment.
What you'll do#
- Assist CLS attorneys in providing client services, including interviews and follow-up meetings.
- Conduct factual and legal research, including country conditions and case-specific analysis.
- Draft personal declarations for clients, immigration applications, legal cover letters, and court motions.
- Record client notes in the case management system and organize case files.
- Assist staff in monitoring the status of clients' immigration court removal proceedings.
What you'll need#
- Current enrollment in an accredited JD or LLM program.
- A strong desire to help immigrant youth.
- Ability to work independently with high attention to detail.
- Competency in Microsoft Office, data tracking, and file management.
- Effective communication skills and the ability to work in a multicultural environment.
Location & details#
- Location: Silver Spring, Maryland.
- Term: Fall 2026 (September – December).
- Modality: On-site.
- Commitment: Minimum of 24 hours per week.
- Compensation: This position is unpaid, though interns may be eligible for a per diem reimbursement of $15 per day for food and travel expenses.
