Legal Internship (Fall 2025)

Description

The Tahirih Justice Center is a national, nonprofit organization that supports immigrant survivors  of gender-based violence seeking safety and justice. Our interdisciplinary model for service combines free legal and social services with bridge-building policy advocacy, and research-based training and education. We amplify the voices of survivors in communities, courts, and Congress to create a world where all people share equal rights and live in safety and with dignity.

We specialize in the representation of immigrant survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, trafficking, and other violent crimes who seek immigration relief under the Violence Against Women Act and the Trafficking Victims Protection Act, as well as of refugees fleeing gender-based persecution and torture who seek protection under U.S. asylum laws. Our legal advocacy includes both direct service to individuals and broader efforts to transform policies, develop regulations, and set precedent so that systemic change will ensure the long-term protection of individuals from violence due to their gender.

Duties and Responsibilities May Include:

• Client communication: assist attorneys with client communications and interviewing prospective clients
• Immigration court hearing preparation: assist attorneys with preparing for court hearings at Baltimore and Hyattsville Immigration Courts, such as with compiling trial binders, preparing requests for prosecutorial discretion, drafting and preparing motions, and observing court hearing if there is availability and interest.
• Asylum interview preparation: assist attorneys with preparing for asylum interviews at Arlington Asylum Office, such as collecting and compiling supplemental evidence, preparing filing submissions, and observing mock interview sessions with clients if there is availability and interest.
• Legal writing and research: with attorney supervision, draft legal documents such as client letters, client declarations, legal memoranda, and briefs. Research country conditions for asylum, VAWA, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, and/or U visa/T visa cases.
• Administrative work: Process mail, maintain and update information in electronic case management systems and physical files.
• Opportunities may arise to participate in community outreach and/or advocacy work, if the intern is interested, but this would not be a major focus of the internship

Requirements

• Commitment to at least 15 hours per week in a hybrid environment, for an internship term of at least 10 weeks, not including school holidays.  
• Enrollment in accredited law school, excellent research, writing and analytical skills, commitment to or interest in public interest law.
• Enrollment in law school externship or confirmation of candidate’s receipt of third party funding for internship. 
• Language skills, particularly Spanish, highly desired but not required.  
• Must work well independently and together with a team of attorneys, paralegals, and social service professionals.  
• Must be detail-oriented, well-organized, responsible, personable, and comfortable working with diverse populations from a variety of backgrounds.  
• Sensitivity to working with trauma survivors.  
• Previous experience in immigration law, domestic violence or criminal law is helpful but not required.

Please note: All interns must pass a background check and complete an in-depth onboarding on working with survivors of violence, learning Legal Server, and other subsequent trainings. All candidates must be able to commit 15 hours per week and confirm that they are seeking school credit (externship credit) for this internship or that they will receive third party funding for this internship.  

 Tahirih Justice Center is committed to equal opportunity and promotes equity and transparency as core values. Tahirih practices inclusiveness in decision making through the use of consultation with employees throughout the organization. Tahirih does not discriminate against any person on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, ability, gender, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information, arrest record or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws. Applicants committed to equity from all backgrounds, experiences, abilities and identities are encouraged to apply.