Americans for Immigrant Justice Law Graduate Fellowship Program

The Agency:

Americans for Immigrant Justice (AI Justice), an award-winning not-for-profit legal services organization founded in 1996 to protect and promote the basic human rights of immigrants, has a multicultural and a multilingual staff. AI Justice has represented clients from around the world and is recognized as a powerful advocate and national leader for immigrants' rights. AI Justice works closely with traditional civil rights groups as well as grassroots organizations and local, state and national government officials to affect positive change in immigration policies.

AI Justice is seeking law student applicants and recent law graduates for the 2025 AI Justice Law Graduate Fellowship Program. AI Justice provides 3–6-month fellowships to graduating law students, outgoing judicial clerks and new attorneys who are motivated to work at a public interest law office. The fellow will work full-time with AI Justice. Law graduates that pass the bar during their fellowship period may be considered for a permanent staff attorney position. Fellows will be placed in one of the following programs: Pro Bono, Family Defense, Detention, Lucha (Victims of Crime and Domestic Violence), or the Children’s Legal Program. Final assignments will be based on the fellows’ interests, organizational needs, and/or capacity.

Key responsibilities include the following, under supervision of AI Justice staff attorneys.

• Provide legal representation in immigration matters, including court appearances, USCIS proceedings, and appellate bodies.
• Provide Know Your Rights presentations to the community.
• Draft, review, and negotiate legal documents before relevant legal bodies.
• Conduct legal research and stay updated on relevant laws, regulations, and case precedents.
• Assist with community outreach efforts, including training and public education.
• Manage a caseload efficiently, ensuring timely progression and resolution of matters.
• Communicate effectively with clients, providing clear explanations and updates on case progress.
• Collaborate with colleagues to develop strategies and solutions for complex legal issues.
• Maintain high ethical standards and comply with all professional responsibilities and legal obligations.

Qualifications:

• Preference for experience in immigration law.
• Preference for experience working with domestic violence victims and/or other victims of trauma.
• Strong writing, research and analytical skills; strong communication and group leadership skills.
• Excellent presentation skills for community outreach, education, and training.
• Ability to work independently and under pressure.
• Ability to handle a high-volume caseload, with multiple deadlines and other tasks simultaneously.
• Comfortable working in a collaborative environment that values giving and receiving feedback.
• Experience with immigration and/or child dependency legal clinics in law school would be especially helpful. ·
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Bilingual ability preferred, including reading and writing, in English, Spanish and/or Haitian Creole required. Speakers of Mayan languages encouraged to apply.
• Must have own transportation.
• Must be willing to submit to an extensive background check, including FBI, statewide repository, and sex offender registry checks.
• Fellow must be a law graduate with a Juris Doctor (JD) degree. For a permanent position, bar admission required within first year of employment

Education: JD degree required.

Location: Candidate must be based in the state of Florida. Position eligible for work from home, hybrid, or in-office designation in accordance with AI Justice Job Classification Policy. Travel to detention facilities or court may be required.

Application Deadline: August 1, 2025. Applications on considered on a rolling basis until that date. Employment can commence immediately, even before the application deadline.

Salary & Benefits:

• Salary is $75,000 per year.
• AI Justice offers a comprehensive benefits package, including excellent health, vision, dental, and life insurance coverage; 15 paid days of vacation leave; 13 paid holidays; 10 paid health days; 1 personal day. After one year of employment, staff are entitled to paid parental leave and up to 3% matching employer contribution to 403(b) retirement plan. Vacation and health leave increases after two- and five-year anniversaries. Paid sabbatical available at five years.

How to apply:

AI Justice is an EOE/AA employer and we strongly encourage applications from people of color, women, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, people with disabilities, and others.

Please submit cover letter, resume, and 3 references to careers@aijustice.org, with subject line " Law Graduate Fellowship Program."

*No application will be considered unless materials are emailed to careers@ajustice.org.*

Interviews: Top candidates will be invited to an interview.