2012 Office of Immigration Litigation Volunteer Legal Internship/Externship Opportunities
THE OFFICE:
The Office of Immigration Litigation (“OIL”) coordinates Federal immigration litigation nationwide, and has both an Appellate and a District Court Section. OIL defends the administrative decisions of the Board of Immigration Appeals, involving removal orders and denials of applications for relief before the Federal Courts of Appeals. OIL also oversees civil immigration litigation in federal courts nationwide, both affirmative and defensive, and represents the United States at all federal court levels. The Office’s attorneys handle removal cases in the Courts of Appeals, and support the Office of the Solicitor General’s immigration litigation efforts in the United States Supreme Court. The Office provides advice and counsel to United States Attorneys’ offices prosecuting criminal immigration issues that overlap with the Office’s civil litigation. OIL also provides support and counsel to all federal agencies involved in the admission, regulation, and removal of aliens under immigration and nationality statutes, as well as related areas of border enforcement and national security, and participates in public outreach activities, including training, conferences, and publications. The Office has approximately 310 attorneys and 100 support staff and handles approximately thirty percent of the Civil Division’s caseload.
INTERN JOB DESCRIPTION:
Students will be assigned to one of OIL’s litigation teams. Responsibilities may vary depending upon a student’s time commitment and ability, but will include drafting motions and appellate briefs, writing case summaries for weekly litigation reports, conducting legal research and preparing memoranda, and performing other litigation support. Students typically draft appellate briefs in asylum and cancellation of removal cases and dispositive motions.
APPLICANT PREREQUISITES:
Students must be rising 2Ls by the start date of their internship, maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.00, demonstrate interest in immigration or appellate law, and show strong research and writing skills. Students must be able to commit a minimum of 20 hours per week for at least ten continuous weeks. Background checks and United States citizenship are required.
HIRING:
OIL’s Appellate Section hires students for externships and internships for the fall, spring, and summer semesters. Applications are typically due in early February for summer positions, early April for fall positions, and late October for spring positions. Please see the back of the brochure for specific deadlines for each semester. To apply, please send a cover letter, resume, transcript (unofficial), and a 5-10 page writing sample to Terri León-Benner. For additional information, please visit the OIL website.