Legal Intern/Extern, U.S. Legal Services

International Refugee Assistance Project

. Support direct representation of forcibly displaced people and family members seeking safe passage to the United States by drafting memos and briefs, conducting fact-finding, and interviewing clients .

Posted 10/16/2026internshipRemote • New York • United StatesEntry Level💰 $17 per hourWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

Use this summary to align your resume positioning with the role.

Demonstrates strong research, writing, and analytical skills essential for drafting legal documents and conducting client interviews. Possesses a deep understanding of refugee processing, immigration law, and human rights, with the ability to communicate effectively across diverse populations.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Research SkillsWriting SkillsAnalytical SkillsInterpersonal SkillsCommunication Skills

ATS Keywords

Tailor your resume

Applicant Tracking System Keywords

Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.

Hard Skills

Legal ResearchDrafting Legal DocumentsFact-FindingClient InterviewingLegal Analysis

Soft Skills

Sensitivity to Client EmpowermentInitiativeMultitasking

Tools & Technologies

Google Workspace

Industry Keywords

Refugee ProcessingImmigration LawHuman RightsPublic EducationLegal Practitioner Guides

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Support direct representation of forcibly displaced people and family members seeking safe passage to the United States by drafting memos and briefs, conducting fact-finding, and interviewing clients
Conduct intake interviews and identify client needs for direct services
Participate in discrete special projects, including remote legal clinics
Conduct outreach to affected communities
Prepare legal information materials and participate in public education efforts
Draft and update legal practitioner guides
Analyze changes in law and newly released government documents
Create materials to assist IRAP staff and legal aid practitioners

Requirements

What you’ll need

Must be a rising 2L or 3L, enrolled in a J.D. program in the United States
Strong research, writing, and analytical skills
Strong interpersonal and communication skills
Sensitivity to client empowerment and to working with clients of all backgrounds, including LGBTI clients, survivors of trauma, and other vulnerable populations
Initiative to see projects through and ability to multitask
Proficiency in Google Workspace
Excellent English communication skills required
Strong interest in refugee processing, immigration law, and human rights
Must have work authorization in the United States to apply for an internship; candidates may apply for an externship regardless of work authorization status
Ability to speak Arabic, Dari, Farsi, Somali, Pashto, Kurdish, or Spanish is a plus

Benefits

Comp & perks

Paid compensation of $17 per hour, or the intern’s state minimum wage, for 40 hours per week if paid by IRAP
Public interest funding from law schools encouraged
Non-compensated externship for academic credit(s)
Remote internship
Option to work out of IRAP’s New York City office space
Full-time summer internship with a 10-week commitment