The International Refugee Assistance Project (“IRAP”) is a dynamic and growing legal and policy advocacy organization that works to develop and enforce a system of legal and human rights for refugees and displaced people around the world. We are the leading organization providing free and comprehensive legal services to people in need of a safe place to live and a safe way to get there.

Position:

This fellowship funds a one-year position, beginning in September 2022, in IRAP’s Litigation Department. IRAP’s Litigation Department has been at the forefront of challenging government policies that harm refugees and other vulnerable populations. More information about the Litigation Department’s work is available here.

The goal of the fellowship is to provide exposure to litigation and systemic advocacy to junior attorneys with interest in pursuing a career in the refugees/immigrants’ rights movement. The fellow will be expected to take part in all aspects of litigation, including by conducting time-sensitive legal and factual research, managing sensitive client communications, and drafting memos and court documents. The fellow may also be asked to provide direct legal services, draft public-facing materials, and participate in other work as needed.

IRAP strongly encourages applications from people with lived experiences in the communities that we serve, members of other marginalized communities, and individuals whose identities are underrepresented in the legal profession, including those who may have interest in litigation but limited prior experience with it.

Qualifications:

Graduates of any ABA accredited law school are eligible to apply. The fellowship is open to current 3Ls and attorneys who have graduated within the last three years who have not previously worked as a legal fellow or staff attorney at IRAP. Applicants must be a member of any bar or must sit for the bar examination prior to the start of the fellowship.

How to Apply:

Interested candidates should complete the online application available here with the following information:

• Name, email, law school, degree, and year of graduation or expected year of graduation.
• A personal statement of interest no longer than 1,000 words:
• describing the applicant’s experiences with and commitment to working on behalf of refugees and displaced people;
• explaining why the applicant wishes to work at IRAP specifically and in its Litigation Department;
• describing any relevant lived experience or experience doing work similar or related to IRAP’s work; and
• describing how the fellowship would help the applicant achieve their long-term goals.
• A list of 2-3 references, preferably including at least one legal employer or supervisor. References from employers prior to law school are also accepted.
• An unofficial transcript.
• A resume.
• A writing sample of no more than 10 pages, preferably a legal research memo, that reflects the candidate’s original work and has not been heavily edited by any other person.

For further information, please contact Norma D’Apolito, Director of Public Interest, at norma.dapolito@yale.edu or (203) 436-2580.