Job description
Opportunity
IRAP is seeking an attorney with 0-3 years of experience after graduation from a U.S. law school to join the U.S. Litigation Department as a fellow for two years starting in fall 2025. This is an exciting opportunity for law school graduates to gain exposure to public interest litigation and to IRAP’s work.
IRAP’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 May 30, 2025; we expect to make offers by July 1.
*We will be holding a webinar on May 14, 2025, at 3:30 pm Eastern time for applicants who are interested in learning more about the Litigation department’s work. Attendance is not required. Please register here to sign up for the webinar.*
Responsibilities
- 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.
Qualifications
Education
Law degree and plans to obtain a license to practice law in the U.S. state from which the candidate will perform work for the position.
Experience
The candidate must be within three years of graduation from a U.S. law school and not have worked previously at IRAP.
Values, Competencies, and Skills
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; to draft briefs and incorporate feedback; and to initiate and lead litigation, with appropriate support based on experience level.
Commitment to teamwork and eagerness to support team members as needed.
Commitment to centering displaced people and equity principles in our work.
We encourage applications from law graduates and attorneys with lived experience of displacement and/or marginalization.
Benefits
- 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
IRAP’s benefits vary across office locations, and IRAP seeks to offer equitable and generous benefits to all employees. IRAP’s U.S. benefits included above.
$68,815 - $87,607 a year
This role is paid on a step-scale based on years of litigation experience as an attorney in any field of litigation, education, and internal equity.
The salary will be between ($68,815 - $87,60), subject to a collective bargaining agreement.
Location
- IRAP strongly prefers the position to be based in NYC, but Washington D.C.-based and remote work are also possible.
If remote, the position must be: (1) located within commuting distance to mailing and printing facilities; (2) located within a reasonable distance and fare to all federal district courts in which IRAP routinely litigates; (3) available to work in the EST time zone as needed.
- This position requires travel as needed to locations in which IRAP files litigation, which may include New York, California, Maryland, and D.C.
Application
Please submit the following documents:
- Updated resume;
- Cover letter customized to IRAP;
- Writing sample (a legal memo, brief, or motion) that reflects your own work;
- 2-3 References.
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.
