Legal Intern - Summer 2026

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, 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 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.

Requirements

Duties and Responsibilities

• Client communication: assist attorneys with client communications and interviewing clients
• Assist attorneys with preparations for immigration court hearings and asylum interviews. Tasks include collecting and compiling evidence, drafting motions under attorney supervision, and creating trial binders. 
• 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 

Requirements

•   Enrollment in accredited law school. 
• Commitment to a hybrid work environment (remote and in-office in San Bruno, California) for an internship term of at least 10 weeks, not including holidays. 
• Excellent research, writing and analytical skills, commitment to or interest in public interest law. 
• Excellent organizational skills with highly competent ability to manage multiple projects and priority deadlines. 
• Must be detail-oriented, responsible, personable, and comfortable working with diverse populations from a variety of backgrounds. 
• Sensitivity  to working with trauma survivors. 

Preferred But Not Required: 

• Language skills, particularly Spanish.
• Experience in immigration, such as completion of immigration law-related law courses, volunteering or working in an immigration-related field, or similar experiences.  
• Experience working with survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, trafficking, or similar  

Compensation: Tahirih pays interns a $6000 stipend for completing 300 hours over the course of the summer

Work Authorization: Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States.

Submissions: Please include your resume and a cover letter demonstrating how you meet the above qualifications.

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. Applicants with questions or concerns should reach out to the Director of People & Operations at HR@tahirih.org. Information about filing a charge of discrimination at the EEOC is available at www.eeoc.gov.