Children's Immigration Law Academy (CILA) - ABA Paid Intern

The American Bar Association (ABA) was founded on a commitment to advance the rule of law in the United States and beyond by providing practical resources for legal professionals, conducting law school accreditation, developing model ethics codes and more. Today, the ABA remains a member-based organization that works to ensure access to justice for all, a fair legal process, and respect for the rule of law at home and across the globe.

The ABA is committed to service and refining the standards that guide the legal profession. ABA staff are provided multiple types of continuing education and career development opportunities. Your work will help eliminate bias, enhance diversity, and advance the rule of law throughout the US and around the world.

The ABA recognizes the value staff contribute to our success through a generous benefits package that protects their health and their financial security.  The ABA’s wide array of benefit offerings include 401(k), medical, dental, vision, flexible spending accounts, health spending accounts, supplemental life and disability insurance, prepaid legal programs, and a complimentary membership to the American Bar Association, which offers additional benefits.

Flexible/hybrid work arrangements may be available for residents of CA, DC, IL, IN, IA, MD, MI, MN, TX, VA, and WI.  Residency requirements may apply. ABA employees are eligible to apply for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF). 
 

The American Bar Association (“ABA”) has an opportunity for a paid intern to gain valuable experience while contributing to the important work of the ABA.  The details of the paid internship opportunity are as follows:

ABA Office Location: Houston, Texas

Reports to: Senior Staff Attorney

Work Location: Combination of in office and remote/telework.

*If intern is located in Houston, they will have the opportunity for a combination of in office and remote work.  If the intern is located outside of Houston, they will do full remote work.

Duration of Internship: Ten (10) weeks.

Hours per week: 29 hours maximum (shall not exceed 29 hours per week). 

Paid: This is a paid internship at $21 per hour.  Paid interns are not eligible to participate in all of the ABA's benefit programs.  Paid internships are reserved for situations where the intern is not receiving academic credit and/or pro bono credit.

Description of Internship Opportunity

• Training program that will train the intern to: 
  • Understand the sources of immigration law and policy including working with unaccompanied children, removal proceedings, asylum and special immigrant juvenile status. 
  • Enhance both oral and written presentation skills. 
  • Learn practical lawyering skills including research, assessing legal options, and counseling clients. 
  • Connect with the immigration legal community in Houston and across the state and country. 
• Projects and Opportunities for Intern: 
  • Legal Research and Writing (50%): The intern would spend about half of their time assisting staff attorneys with research requests that come in from advocates around the country.  Additionally, the legal intern will be responsible for 1-2 independent research projects to be completed over the course of the summer under the supervision of a CILA attorney. The completed project(s) will be used to create original resources for advocates, shared on our website and in our newsletter. 
  • Collaboration with Advocates (25%): Participate in 2-4 working groups depending on their scheduled time with CILA. 
  • Training (25%): Participate in trainings designed to empower advocates to better meet the legal needs of unaccompanied children as scheduled over the summer.

Eligibility: To be eligible for a paid internship, individuals must be 18 years of age or older, and authorized to work in the United States.

Relevant Program/Area of Study:

• Immigration Law

Additional Desired Qualifications:

• Interest in immigration law and/or working on behalf of children.  
• Strong research and writing skills.   
• Spanish language is not required.

About the American Bar Association

The ABA is the world’s largest voluntary professional organization with nearly 400,000 members and more than 3,500 entities.  The ABA is committed to doing what only a national association of attorneys can do: serving our members; improving the legal profession; eliminating bias and enhancing diversity; and advancing the rule of law throughout the United States and around the world.  Learn more at www.americanbar.org.