Immigration Justice Project - Law Student Legal Fellow (six positions)

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). 
 

Job Summary

• Undertakes substantive legal work for a grant-funded project and/or provides substantive support and expertise to an assigned section. 
• Fellowship assignment from May 27, 2025 through August 1, 2025.

Essential Job Functions and Responsibilities

• Undertakes substantive legal work for a grant-funded project and/or provides substantive support and expertise to an assigned section.
• May perform pro-bono assistance under the direction and supervision of a direct service host agency, if required by the grantor, through a collaborative arrangement with ABA entities.
• Provides substantive advice, information, and policy on a substantive area of law or public policy.
• Conducts research and meets with appropriate counterparts to develop memoranda, reports, technical analyses, and policy recommendations.
• Analyzes law, regulations, court rules, and policy proposals and synthesizes findings into appropriate reports/memoranda on law or public policy.
• Analyzes data and crafts meaningful and actionable presentations on legal and public policy issues. 
• May advise on event planning, model documents and templates, and training methodologies intended to optimize data transfer and retention.
• May provide outside legal assistance and pro bono support to such entities such as legal aid or similarly situated group.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Required Education, Qualifications, Experience

• Possession of, or actively pursuing a Juris Doctorate from an ABA-accredited law school.
• Demonstrated interest in immigration law and client-facing work.

Preferred Education, Qualifications, Experience

• Immigration law experience, clinic work, and non-clinic coursework. Fluency in a language other than English.

Physical Requirements

• Typical office work environment. The duration of the Fellowship must not exceed one year in duration.

Extent of Travel Required in the Job

• As a normal course of business, this job will require regular travel to and from the San Diego and Otay Mesa Immigration Courts.