Children's Legal Services Legal Externship ( Spring 2027)

The Children’s Legal Services Legal Intern supports attorneys in providing legal services to unaccompanied youth facing deportation. The intern assists with legal research, client interviews, drafting applications, and administrative duties under attorney supervision.

Responsibilities

• Assist CLS attorneys in providing various client services including client interviews, follow-up meetings and client communications.
• Engage in factual and legal research and analysis including country conditions and client cases.
• Assist clients with drafting personal declarations and fact-finding relevant to immigration applications.
• Draft immigration applications, legal cover letters/briefs and court motions.
• Assist staff with monitoring status of clients’ immigration court removal proceedings.
• Record client notes in case management system and assist legal staff with sorting, scanning and filing documents in case files.
• Adhere to IRC policies, particularly those related to confidentiality and client privacy.
• Display sensitivity to cultural and personality differences of clients and respect their beliefs and values.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Must be currently enrolled in an accredited JD or LLM program.
• Minimum 15 hours or up to 37.5 per week; preference for those that can work 37.5 hours.
• Spanish language proficiency is a plus but is not required.
• Strong desire to help immigrant youth in Maryland.
• Ability to work independently, exercise good judgment, and have high attention to detail.
• Competency in Microsoft Office, data tracking, and file management.
• Effective communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a multicultural environment.
• Patience, understanding, flexibility, and a positive attitude.
• Willingness to learn about IRC history, philosophy, global work, and local efforts.
• Adherence to IRC code of conduct, volunteer and workplace policies.

Skills

• Legal Research
• Client Interviewing
• Drafting Legal Applications
• File Management
• Data Tracking
• Microsoft Office Suite
• Independent Work
• Adaptability in Multicultural Environment
• Attention to Detail
• Effective Communication

Languages

English, Spanish