Sponsored US Litigation Fellowship, Fall 2026

Opportunity

IRAP is seeking to sponsor a recent law graduate or attorney eligible for externally-funded fellowships that begin in Fall of 2026.  This is an exciting opportunity for recent law school graduates to apply for external funding that enables new lawyers to become an integral member of the team leading IRAP’s impact litigation work.

IRAP’s U.S. Litigation Department brings innovative court challenges in U.S. courts to address systemic issues affecting refugees, asylum seekers, and others in need of a safe home. IRAP’s litigation department develops and brings a range of cases in lead counsel capacity, including FOIA, mandamus, Administrative Procedure Act challenges, and large class actions.

Information about our current cases can be found at https://refugeerights.org/litigation/

The application deadline is August 28, 2025. Please apply earlier if you can.  We will make an offer by September 6, 2025.    

• Engage in all aspects of litigation and litigation-related advocacy under supervision, including case development and filing, legal and factual research, client counseling and interviews, motions practice, discovery, resource creation, policy advocacy, and media advocacy.
• Collaborate with IRAP staff members in other departments, including policy, legal services, and communications, to ensure that litigation is supporting and leveraging their work.
• Represent IRAP in externally facing relationships, including with other advocates, pro bono firms, media, and donors.
• Participate in tasks that support the organization, such as participating in cross-departmental task forces and providing feedback on organization-wide issues.

• J.D. from a U.S. law school at the time of starting the fellowship.
• Interest in complex federal litigation, immigration law, and refugee processing.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and meet urgent deadlines as needed.
• A foundation for readiness to counsel clients in a culturally sensitive and ethical manner; to identify, analyze, and research complex issues; and to draft briefs and incorporate feedback with appropriate support.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Commitment to teamwork and eagerness to support team members as needed.
• Commitment to centering displaced people and equity principles in our work. Attorneys with lived experience of displacement and/or marginalization are highly encouraged to apply.

• There is a strong preference for the position to be based in NYC, with a hybrid schedule available.
• This position requires travel as needed to locations in which IRAP files litigation, which may include New York, California, Maryland, and D.C.
• The fellowship must be longer than 6 months.

• Fully paid family health insurance.
• Retirement options.
• Extensive PTO (20 or more vacation days & 19 org-wide holidays).
• Comprehensive leave time for sickness.
• Disability and parenting (4 months of parental leave).
• Reimbursement for work-from-home equipment.
• Generous opportunities for professional development.

Application: 

Please submit the following:

- Updated resume,

- Cover letter: Please indicate in your cover letter which fellowship(s) you intend to apply for and confirm that you meet the eligibility criteria for the fellowship(s) and proposals for a fellowship project, if any.

- A writing sample (a legal memo, brief, or motion) that reflects your own work.

Candidates who are selected to advance to the interview stage will be asked to submit additional materials regarding their proposed public interest project. We will provide additional instructions, including possible topics for project proposals, in advance of interviews. Broad topic areas we are considering include addressing obstacles to family reunification in the U.S. and addressing obstacles to the successful integration of refugees, asylum seekers, and other displaced people in the U.S.  Applicants may also propose their own topic.

Compensation:

This role is paid on a step scale based on years of work experience and education, subject to a collective bargaining agreement. 

IRAP is an equal-opportunity employer; people of color and individuals from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply. IRAP does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, citizenship status, ethnic background, religion, political orientation, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, or any other protected class. We consider all qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of all local, state, and federal laws related to the Fair Chance Act.