The Council on American-Islamic Relations’ Greater Los Angeles Area Office (CAIR-LA) seeks dynamic law students with a strong commitment to public interest and social justice advocacy to help provide direct legal services to individuals.
CAIR is America’s largest Muslim nonprofit, grassroots civil rights and advocacy organization , with over 30 affiliate offices nationwide. Our national headquarters is located on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.
Civil Rights Department Clerkship
CAIR-LA’s Civil Rights Department works to protect and defend the constitutional rights of American Muslims. The department counsels, mediates and advocates on behalf of Muslims and others who have experienced religious discrimination.
The civil rights clerkship program provides law school students and recent law graduates with the skills, knowledge, and exposure required to handle contemporary civil rights issues affecting the American Muslim community. Clerks will be exposed to assisting victims of hate crimes and incidents, issues relating to FBI and law enforcement overreach, employment discrimination, public accommodation, First Amendment, equal protection, and procedural due process issues.
Immigrants’ Rights Center Clerkship
CAIR-LA’s Immigrants’ Rights Center (IRC) seeks to empower non-citizens by helping them achieve independence, security, and the opportunity to fully participate in American society. IRC is dedicated to providing high-quality services to individuals otherwise unable to obtain legal assistance.
The immigrants’ rights clerkship program gives law students the opportunity to handle immigration matters affecting the American Muslim community. Clerks will be exposed to a wide range requests for immigration relief heard before US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR). As immigration law faces rapid and sweeping changes, immigrants’ rights clerks will obtain hands-on experience advocating on behalf of immigrants and handling current hot-button immigration issues.
Under the supervision of staff attorneys, clerks in both programs will have the opportunity to build cases from the ground-up, including conducting client interviews; making initial case assessments; obtaining evidence; conducting legal research; drafting client communications and legal memoranda; assisting self-represented litigants; and performing community outreach and education. Immigrants’ rights clerks will also have the opportunity to prepare immigration applications and petitions.
For more information on the clerkship and how to apply click here.
Qualifications
Applicants should have completed their first year of law school. Applicants who have already taken a course in Constitutional Law are preferred for the Civil Rights Clerkship. Candidates must possess a passion for social justice and poverty related issues, as well as sensitivity to working with people from diverse backgrounds. Special consideration will be given to students who have a demonstrated commitment to serving low income or disadvantaged communities. Students who speak Arabic, Farsi, Pashto, Urdu or Spanish are encouraged to apply.
To Apply
Clerkships are available during Spring, Summer, and Fall terms. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis year-round until all positions are filled. All positions are unpaid. Clerks are expected to work at least 15 hours a week during Spring and Fall terms, and 40 hours a week during the Summer term. Clerks may receive course credit, depending on their law school’s program.
When applying, indicate whether you have a specific interest in civil rights or immigrants’ rights work.
Please submit a copy of your resume, cover letter, writing sample, and transcript to:
Email:
legalcareers@losangeles.cair.com
More Questions?
Contact our legal team at civilrights@losangeles.cair.com or 714-776-1177.