Legal Intern - Urgent Role

We are searching for an energetic Legal Intern to join our awesome team at HIAS in New York, NY.
Growing your career as a Internship Legal Intern is a terrific opportunity to develop productive skills.
If you are strong in cooperation, people management and have the right personality for the job, then apply for the position of Legal Intern at HIAS today!

POSITION SUMMARY: 

HIAS seeks a Legal Intern to assist HIAS’ direct legal services programs which benefit asylum seekers. The intern will conduct research, writing, and draft filings for the immigration court and United States Citizenship & Immigration Services. Through this internship, the intern will learn about United States immigration law, focusing on humanitarian relief, and the practice of law in a nonprofit setting. They will report to the Senior Staff Attorney, and they will work with the in-house Legal and Pro Bono teams.   

Note, this position is unpaid, but may be pursued for academic credit or a public interest stipend. We ask that applicants be available for 35 hours/week for 10-12 weeks beginning in June 2023.  

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: 

• Conducts thorough legal and factual research on topics assigned by HIAS attorneys. 

• Writes memorandums, briefs and other documents in support of HIAS’ immigration legal cases. 

• Develops client declarations and application forms through interviews. 

• Assists the legal team in preparation and presentation of asylum claims (affirmative and defensive); special immigrant juvenile cases; U-visa and T-Visa cases. 

• Maintains records and contributes to program reports in compliance with any applicable grants or other agreements. 

• Assists Pro Bono attorney teams with client interview and client preparation of asylum claims. 

• Reviews, prepares and finalizes applications for client benefits. 

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS: 

• Current law student (rising 2L or 3L). 

• Strong interest in asylum law and/or processing, human rights and international law. 

• Fluency in Spanish, French and/or Russian strongly preferred. 

• Must be resourceful, thorough and analytical in order to develop information and obtain materials relevant to the research requested. 

• Excellent interpersonal, written and oral communication skills. 

• Excellent organizational and problem-solving skills required. 

HIRING PROCESS: 

We are committed to a fair and respectful hiring process, and we do our absolute best to respond to every applicant. We prioritize communication and transparency with all candidates, even those who are not moving forward. Here’s a snapshot of our hiring process for internships: 

Step 1: Submit your application! 

Step 2: Video interview with the hiring manager. 

Step 3: Online reference check with SkillSurvey. 

Step 4: Offer and background check with Shield Screening or ESR. 

Step 5: Start your professional journey with HIAS! 

Note: Some of our hiring processes may vary, and not all candidates will advance to each step. 

ABOUT US:

Over one hundred years ago, the Jewish community founded HIAS (originally the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society) in New York City, the immigrant gateway to America. Supporting Jews fleeing persecution and poverty in Eastern Europe, our founders were guided by the traditions, texts and history of the Jewish people—a history of oppression, displacement and diaspora. HIAS has since helped generations of Jews facing violence because of who they were, and HIAS remains committed to helping Jewish refugees anywhere in the world. Today, our clients at HIAS come from diverse faiths, ethnicities and backgrounds, as do our staff. We bring our experience, history and values to our work across five continents, ensuring that refugees today receive the vital services and opportunities they need to thrive.

HIAS is a learning community, committed to diversity and inclusion. We do our work with integrity, accountability, transparency and a commitment to the highest ethical standards. We seek employees from diverse backgrounds and life experiences to join our teams located in the United States and across the globe. People who identify as BIPOC, people with disabilities, people from the LGBTQ+ community and people with lived experiences of forced displacement or immigration are all encouraged to apply. We are committed to building a diverse workforce that reflects our vision, mission and values.

VISION:

HIAS stands for a world in which refugees find welcome, safety and opportunity.

MISSION:

Drawing on our Jewish values and history, HIAS provides vital services to refugees and asylum seekers around the world and advocates for their fundamental rights so they can rebuild their lives.

VALUES: 

Welcome • Acogimiento • Hospitalité • Hachnasat Orchim

We Welcomethe Stranger 

Justice • Justicia • Justice • Tzedek

We PursueJustice 

Empathy • Empatía • Empathie • Chesed 

We Approach our Clients with Empathy 

Partnership • Compañerismo • Coopération • Chevruta

We Believe in Changing the World through Partnership 

Courage • Coraje • Courage • Ometz

We Act with Courageto Build a Better World 

Resilience • Resiliencia • Résilience • Ruach 

We Adapt and Thrive, Continuously Demonstrating our Resilience 

DIVERSITY:

HIAS is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. As an equal opportunity employer, all qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, ethnic background, ancestry, citizenship status, religious creed, age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, registered domestic partner or civil union status, familial status, pregnancy, childbirth, military status, protected veteran status, political orientation or other legally protected status.

SAFEGUARDING: 

HIAS is committed to the protection of children, vulnerable adults and any other person from any harm caused directly or indirectly due to their coming into contact with HIAS. We will not tolerate sexual exploitation, abuse or any form of child abuse or neglect by our staff or associated personnel. Any candidate offered a job with HIAS will be expected to sign and adhere to HIAS’ Code of Conduct and Safeguarding policies. All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which can include criminal records. HIAS also participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this Scheme, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. Likewise, HIAS will share this information when other organizations inquire about current and former HIAS staff as part of their recruitment process. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures. 

Benefits of working as a Legal Intern in New York, NY:

● Excellent benefits
● Company offers career progression opportunities
● Competitive salary