About the role#
The Children's Legal Services (CLS) Legal Intern supports attorneys providing services to unaccompanied youth who entered the U.S. without a parent or legal guardian. This role involves assisting with immigration court proceedings and state court custody or guardianship matters. The intern works under the supervision of CLS attorneys to provide legal and factual research for humanitarian relief applications, including Asylum, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, and T or U visas.
What you'll do#
- Conduct legal and factual research, including country conditions analysis.
- Assist with initial client screenings, follow-up meetings, and client communications.
- Draft client declarations, immigration applications, legal cover letters, briefs, and court motions.
- Gather and prepare evidence for immigration applications.
- Monitor the status of client immigration court removal proceedings.
- Record client notes in the case management system.
- Perform clerical duties such as sorting, scanning, and filing documents.
- Adhere to IRC policies regarding confidentiality and client privacy.
- Display sensitivity to cultural and personality differences.
What you'll need#
- Current enrollment in an accredited JD or LLM program.
- A strong desire to help immigrant youth in Maryland.
- Ability to work independently, exercise good judgment, and maintain 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.
- Patience, flexibility, and a positive attitude.
- Willingness to learn about IRC history, philosophy, and local efforts.
- Adherence to the IRC code of conduct and workplace policies.
Location & details#
- Location: Baltimore, MD.
- Modality: Hybrid (combination of office, remote, and field time).
- Term: Winter 2027 (January 27, 2027, through May 16, 2027).
- Hours: Minimum of 15 hours per week, up to 37.5 hours. Interns must be in the office at least 3 days per week.
- Compensation: This is an unpaid internship. Interns are eligible for a per diem reimbursement of $15 per day (defined as 7.5 hours) to offset food and travel costs, plus mileage reimbursement for approved activities.
About International Rescue Committee
The International Rescue Committee is a nonprofit organization that provides humanitarian aid to people affected by war and disaster. Founded in 1933, it operates in more than 50 countries and 28 cities across the United States. The organization focuses on areas such as refugee resettlement, health care, and emergency relief. It employs over 13,000 people to support its mission of assisting displaced populations.
How to get in at International Rescue Committee
Applying early gives you a distinct advantage at the International Rescue Committee because recruiters review applications as they arrive. Intern Insider sends an instant alert the moment a role matching your target is published anywhere, so you apply among the first before the pile grows. This helps you avoid the frustration of submitting your materials to a massive, stagnant queue. You can reach out directly to the recruiters behind the company's roles to ask about the position or a referral, which materially improves your response rates. Intern Insider surfaces these specific contacts, allowing you to bypass the standard portal and connect with the people actually hiring for the team.
