Summer Law Clerk

Clerkship Dates: 5/26/26 – 7/31/26

Clerkship Location: Los Angeles

Immigrant Defenders Law Center (“ImmDef”) Immigrant Defenders Law Center (“ImmDef”) is a next-generation, social justice law firm that provides high-quality representation and legal services to immigrants in Southern California and beyond. ImmDef was founded with the belief that no immigrant should be forced to face an unjust immigration system alone and our universal representation programs are a first step towards that goal. ImmDef represents thousands of adults, children, and families annually who have multi-faceted, complex, and urgent legal needs as they face our unjust immigration system. Learn more about us at www.immdef.org.

ImmDef is seeking Rising 2L and 3L Summer Law Clerks to join the largest non-profit, universal representation model deportation defense team in the state of California.

Seeking Funding for Summer Law Clerks: ImmDef's ability to provide stipends for Summer Law Clerks is currently limited due to ongoing uncertainty surrounding federal funding. At this time, we are unable to guarantee stipends, and some positions may be unpaid. We strongly encourage Summer Law Clerk applicants to secure their own outside funding from their law school and other sources. If several of our Summer Law Clerks can secure independent funding, we may be able to reallocate funds with the goal of ensuring all Summer Law Clerks receive at least a combined $7,500.00 in funding from all sources.

ImmDef's Summer Law Clerkships: Students work collaboratively within our team of staff, including managing and directing attorneys, staff attorneys, paralegals, administrative support staff, and case managers to provide client-centered, holistic representation. Summer Law Clerks work under the supervision of a Managing Attorney or Staff Attorney to assist in the representation of clients in removal proceedings. This is a rewarding and exciting position where the successful applicant will be engaged in cutting edge immigration litigation and receive training from immigration removal defense experts in ImmDef's Children Representation Project, National Qualified Representation Project, Locally Funded Initiatives Project, Post-Conviction Relief Project, and/or Litigation and Advocacy Project.

Summer Law Clerks will work under the supervision of managing attorneys and staff attorneys who are primarily responsible for providing direct deportation removal defense representation. Summer Law Clerks at ImmDef will receive training, direct client experience, and opportunities to observe and practice skills that will prepare them for careers serving our client population: unaccompanied children (detained in government custody and released to sponsors), adults with mental competency issues, individuals and families facing deportation and family separation, adults detained in ICE prisons.

Essential Functions:

• Client intakes, interviews, and legal screenings;
• Drafting declarations and applications to be submitted to the immigration court, USCIS, and/or state courts;
• Research and writing legal issues related to immigration, criminal, and child welfare law;
• Supervised appearances in immigration court, and if available, family or probate court.

Language:

• Spanish proficiency is strongly preferred for: Children's Representation Project and Locally Funded Initiatives Project (serving adults and families).
• The Litigation and Advocacy Project, National Qualified Representation, Post-Conviction Relief Project, Policy Clerkship do not have a language requirement.

 Application Materials

• Cover letter and resume required. Indicate which ImmDef office(s) -- Los Angeles.
• Writing sample and/or references by request.

Requirements

Required and Preferred Qualifications: 

• Must be currently enrolled in a U.S. law school, working towards the completion of a J.D. or L.L.M. degree;
• Work experience or law school course in immigration law or immigration law experience is helpful, but not required;
• Experience in a nonprofit or law firm practicing public interest, litigation, immigration, criminal, or child custody law is helpful, but not required;
• An interest or experience in working with marginalized populations and survivors of trauma required;
• Prior work experience (legal or otherwise) in a fast-paced, dynamic work environment is helpful;
• Strong case management, legal research, and legal writing skills;
• Demonstrated ability to take initiative and work independently;
• Commitment to working in a diverse professional environment.  
• Passion for social justice for immigrants is required;
• DACA recipients are encouraged to apply!

Must submit a Cover Letter to be considered. You can learn more about our programs at www.immdef.org. 

Due to the large number of applicants, we are unable to respond to every applicant and will only contact those who are invited to interview for the position.

Summary

This is a temporary Summer Law Clerk position for rising 2L or 3L law school students, for a 10-week term beginning May 26, 2026, through July 31, 2026. ImmDef requires summer law clerks to apply for funding from their university or a third-party scholarship or stipend fund. If a Summer Law Clerk is unable to secure funds, ImmDef may have limited funds available to offset the costs of the student's summer experience with the organization, as described in detail in the job description.

Additional Information: