Legal Internship - (Phoenix & Tucson) 2025

The Organization

The Florence Project was founded in 1989 to respond to a representation crisis for indigent non-citizens detained at the rural Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Detention Center in Florence, Arizona. Through our programs today, we provide services to thousands of adults, youth, and children detained in Eloy, Florence, Phoenix, and Tucson, Arizona on any given day. In 2001, the Florence Project implemented our Integrated Social Services Program, one of the first of its kind in this field. The Florence Project provides high quality legal and social services and supports initiatives for national changes in immigration law and policy.

Primary Purpose of the Job:  

The Florence Immigrant and Refugee Rights Project (FIRRP) handles a variety of cases including cutting edge asylum claims and a wide variety of forms of relief from deportation and bond hearings. Under the supervision and guidance of a FIRRP attorney, the Legal Intern will have the opportunity to learn through applied tasks in all aspects of legal advocacy, including “Know Your Rights” presentations for adults in Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention centers, assisting in education and orientation services, individual intakes, pre-court counseling sessions, direct client work, application preparation, drafting of client declarations, researching of novel issues, legal memorandum writing, Interns assist with direct representation before the Executive Office for Immigration Review (immigration court) and the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, always under the supervision and guidance of a Florence Project attorney.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:   

Casework 

• Under the supervision and guidance of a Florence Project attorney, assist with preparation of cases, research case law, assist with drafting legal papers, help formulate required evidence.
• Proofread and edit forms and documents. 
• Under supervision of Florence Project attorney, assist in initial intakes, following up with clients, and gathering necessary information. 
• Attend and be prepared to participate in meetings, including staff meetings and joint case review meetings. 
• Attend assigned trainings.
• Develop and maintain knowledge in immigration law, and on implications of criminal and civil law as it applies to the representation of people who are detained in ICE custody.
• Comply with required ethical standards, preserve client confidentiality, and avoid conflict of interest.
• Maintain complete and accurate case notes and client records.
• Under supervision of Florence Project attorney, participate in training on immigration procedures and may conduct orientation sessions as assigned, such as “Know Your Rights” presentations and pro se workshops.

Advocacy 

• Support FIRRP outreach, development and advocacy activities as assigned.

Other Duties & Responsibilities: 

• Participate in organizational fundraising and outreach efforts as requested.
• Participate in developing and implementing special projects or presentations.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements: 

• Currently attending law school, having completed at least one year of study.
• Fluency or advanced proficiency in Spanish required. 

• Demonstrated commitment to advocating for indigent immigrant clients in a respectful and empowering way, zealous support of the FIRRP’s mission, and displays a commitment to diversity and inclusion. 
• Must be able to pass federal and state background checks. 

• Travel is required for this position.

• Must have a valid driver’s license and reliable transportation. 
• Proven computer skills, including advanced understanding of basic office applications. 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

• Demonstrated strong legal research skills. 
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work with diverse populations.  
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing. 
• Able to consistently perform work in a highly organized fashion.
• Able to work in high-volume settings with limited resources and apply innovative thinking. 
• Able to perform work with accuracy and attention to detail. 
• Ability to perform repetitive tasks for long periods of time. 
• Excellent problem solving, research, and analytical skills.  
• Effectively manage multiple projects and meet deadlines. 
• Demonstrated ability to work hard, be flexible, and be a respectful team player.
• Able to engage in collaborative, innovative, and client centered work.  
• Ability to work independently and be reliable in the face of conflict, pressure, crisis or changing priorities. 
• Exhibit high ethical standards and the ability to maintain confidentiality. 

Preferred Requirements:

• Prior internship, regular or volunteer work experience in immigration rights, human rights, criminal justice, or in a nonprofit legal services setting.  
• Experience with databases and data tracking (i.e., Legal Server). 

Working Conditions/Physical Demands: 

• Operate in a professional office environment requires the ability to sit for long periods of time with intermittent walking, standing, bending, squatting, pulling and pushing. 
• Ability to use standard office equipment such as scanners, computers, keyboards, phones, shredders, photocopiers, and filing cabinets. Requires the ability to lift up to ten pounds. 
• Could require traveling regularly between offices and secondary work locations, both locally and within Arizona.  
• This position requires frequent time in detention facilities and immigration courts located in Tucson, Phoenix and Florence.

Application Process:

The position will remain open until we receive enough qualified applicants. To apply, please submit a cover letter detailing your interest in the position as well as your resume, three professional references. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and candidates are encouraged to apply early. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted. The Florence Project values diversity in the workplace and strongly encourages applications from people of color, LGBTQ individuals, persons with disabilities, and members of underrepresented communities.  

This internship announcement is for informational purposes only and is subject to change and modification without notice. This internship announcement includes a non-exhaustive list of responsibilities, qualifications and requirements of the position, but does not necessarily include all the functions of the position.