Linton Joaquin Law Fellow

About the Organization

Founded in 1979, the National Immigration Law Center (NILC) is a leading non-profit organization (501(c)(3)) in the U.S. exclusively dedicated to defending and advancing the rights and opportunities of low-income immigrants and their loved ones. NILC’s mission is grounded in the belief that everyone living in the U.S. regardless of race, gender/gender identity, immigration status, or economic status should have equal access to justice, resources, and educational and economic opportunities that enable them to achieve their full human potential. Together, NILC and the affiliated NILC Immigrant Justice Fund (IJF), a 501(c)(4) organization, work to advocate for federal immigration reform policies. NILC is committed to advancing its mission — which intersects race, immigration status, and class — through a racial, economic, and gender justice and equity orientation. NILC is at an exciting moment in its organizational trajectory, engaging in substantial impact litigation to protect immigrant rights and through its Democracy Defense Initiative, in tandem with its longstanding work on policy advocacy at the federal and state levels, movement and power building, and narrative change. We are looking for innovative, results-driven, movement-oriented attorneys who are committed to NILC’s mission and shared values of racial justice & equity, diversity, partnerships & collaboration, respect & personal well-being.

About the Role

This two-year fellowship is designed for an attorney who has just graduated from law school or who graduated no more than two years before the Fellowship would start, has spent the intervening time either clerking for a judge or in another fellowship or term-limited position, and has a demonstrated commitment to civil rights, immigrants’ rights, and/or racial justice. The NILC Law Fellowship is an integral part of NILC’s commitment to supporting and developing the next generation of immigrants’ rights advocates and to advancing cutting-edge immigrants’ rights work. The Fellow will primarily assist with our impact litigation, with opportunities to engage in policy advocacy and narrative change work. The Fellowship is available for a two-year term from September 2027 through September 2029. This role is a member of the Bargaining Unit.

Responsibilities

• Assist with all aspects of impact litigation, including investigation and fact development, plaintiff outreach, legal research, drafting and reviewing filings and correspondence, discovery, motion practice, and appellate advocacy.
• Work