Internship · Spring 2027, Summer 2027Lincoln, NE, USA
About the Job
Requirements
A bachelor's degree is required.
Must be a 3L student at the University of Nebraska College of Law for the 2026–2027 academic year.
Must qualify as a Senior-Certified law student able to practice under a licensed attorney.
Must be able to use Office 365 applications, including Outlook, Word, Excel, and SharePoint, and learn new software.
Must have strong written and verbal communication skills in English.
Must be able to handle confidential information with discretion.
Must be able to lift items up to 20 pounds as needed.
Must pass all required background checks.
Must be at least 18 years of age and authorized to work in the United States.
Must be available for a Monday–Friday schedule, with flexible scheduling for up to 20 hours per week.
Must be able to travel occasionally to CIRA offices in the area as needed.
Responsibilities
Conduct legal research and writing.
Draft and file applications for immigration relief with USCIS, Immigration Court, and other relevant agencies.
Participate in client interviews and develop questions to understand the facts of client cases.
Analyze facts to determine eligibility for relief.
Appear in Immigration Court and state court on behalf of clients as dictated by their legal needs.
Use culturally competent and trauma-informed approaches with clients from diverse backgrounds.
Navigate difficult conversations with clients who may be facing traumatic past experiences or challenging decisions.
Analyze and resolve professional ethics issues.
Collaborate within the Clinic team and with colleagues to work efficiently toward client goals.
Learn and maintain case management and documentation in accordance with case management and filing system requirements.
POSITION TITLE: Legal Extern REPORTS TO: Externship Program Supervising Attorney HOURS: 15-20 hours per week WORKSITE: Lincoln, Nebraska EXTERNSHIP TIMEFRAME: Externship runs January 2027 – May 2027, with the possibility of extension through Summer 2027 or transition to full-time employment based on organizational needs
COMPENSATION:
Hourly rate of $25.00
BENEFITS:
Paid externship with class credit through the University of Nebraska College of Law
Opportunity to gain practical, hands-on experience in immigration law and client-centered representation
Mentorship from experienced immigration attorneys
Employee Wellness Program (including enriching snacks, support groups, and engaging activities)
Travel and expense reimbursement
Possibility of continued internship or full-time employment based on performance and organizational needs
ORGANIZATIONAL DESCRIPTION: In 2022, Immigrant Legal Center and Refugee Empowerment Center merged, and the combined nonprofit organization is now CIRA, the Center for Immigrant & Refugee Advancement. Our diverse team of experts provides exceptional, compassionate legal representation, refugee services, and social work services.
We take on the most complex immigration cases, resettle refugees from around the world, and ensure all clients have access to much-needed resources. Operating in offices from Council Bluffs to Scottsbluff, our team of more than 100 full-time employees helps communities’ welcome immigrants and refugees as they build their lives here. We assist with all forms of family and humanitarian-based immigration, and we never turn any family away due to inability to pay.
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: The Legal Extern project aims to provide a clinic experience to 3L students from the University of Nebraska College of Law. Externs in this program will spend the Spring semester working with a Supervising Attorney to represent low-income clients in a range of immigration matters. This program will focus on the expansion of practical skills with the educational goal of engaging with current immigration law and the realities of the immigration system. These skills include: client-centered lawyering, client counseling and interviewing, litigation and strategic planning, legal writing, development of professional identity, professional communication, case file management, and the ability to respond to rapidly changing law and circumstances.
CORE FUNCTIONS OF THE PROGRAM Legal externs will utilize their Senior-Certified status to participate in activities central to the practice of immigration law, including:
Conducting legal research and writing
Drafting and filing applications for immigration relief from USCIS, Immigration Court, and other relevant agencies
Participating in client interviews and developing questions to understand facts of a client’s case
Analyzing facts to determine relief eligibility
Appearing in Immigration Court and state court on behalf of clients, as dictated by the clients’ legal needs
Developing culturally competent and trauma-informed approaches with clients from diverse backgrounds
Navigating difficult conversations with clients who may be facing traumatic past experiences or challenging decisions
Analyzing and resolving professional ethics issues
Collaboration within the Clinic team and with other colleagues to efficiently work towards client goals
Learning and maintaining case management and documentation in line with the requirements of the case management system and filing system
QUALIFICATIONS:
Bachelor’s degree is required
Must be a 3L student at the University of Nebraska College of Law for the 2026-2027 academic year
Qualifies as a Senior-Certified law student able to practice under a licensed attorney
Strong commitment to public interest legal services and to the enfranchisement and empowerment of immigrant communities
Ability to work sensitively with numerous staff, volunteers, and clients having varied personalities, lifestyles, cultures, political orientations, and faiths
Fluency in using Office 365 applications (ex. Outlook, Word, Excel, SharePoint, etc.) and a strong ability to learn new software
Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English required
Exceptional customer service and interpersonal skills with ability to serve clients and colleagues from various backgrounds professionally
Demonstrates reliability through consistent attendance, effective time management, and flexibility
Ability to take initiative and problem-solve independently when appropriate
Ability to represent CIRA positively to clients, volunteers, community organizations, and the public
Strong commitment to professional excellence in a mission-driven environment
Impeccable integrity, positive attitude, and self-directed work style
Ability to handle confidential information with discretion
Ability to lift items up to 20 lbs. as needed
Ability to pass all required background checks
Must be at least 18 years of age and authorized to work in the United States
WORKING CONDITIONS:
This role consists of regularly sitting at a desk and using a computer and phone.
This is not a remote position.
Externship runs January 2027 – May 2027, with the possibility of extension through June 2027 or transition to full-time employment based on organizational needs
Monday – Friday schedule, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM; externs may work up to 20 hours per week with flexible scheduling
Occasional travel to CIRA offices in the area may be required based on availability
TO APPLY:
Please upload a cover letter; resume; and statement of interest answering the questions: “Why do you want to participate in the externship program?” with a minimum of 500 words and a maximum of 1,000 words; all in PDF format to the job application link.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by individuals assigned to this job. They are not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities associated with it.
CIRA is fully committed to Equal Employment Opportunity. We do not discriminate based on an individual’s race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, military service, or any characteristics prohibited by law. This policy governs all aspects of employment at CIRA, including recruiting, hiring, assignments, training, promotions, compensation, employee benefits, employee discipline and discharge, and all other terms and conditions of employment.