Opportunities for Law Students & Graduates 

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Fellowship Host Organization Solicitation
(External Funding Required)

The New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY) is seeking applications for sponsored fellowships such as the Skadden, Soros, Equal Justice Works Fellowships, Columbia fellowships, NYU Public Interest Fellowship, or other public interest fellowships.  CAIR-NY encourages rising third-year law students, recent law graduates, judicial clerks, and other qualified candidates to apply.  Sponsored fellows will serve as members of CAIR-NY’s legal team and will be based in our New York City office.   

Our mission at CAIR-NY is to enhance the understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower Muslim Americans. We serve our community through legal advocacy, education, media relations, civic engagement, and grassroots mobilization. We are the first line of defense for Muslim Americans in New York, and our goals are to protect those who have experienced discrimination and harassment, and to combat Islamophobia and systemic discrimination in all its forms. 

CAIR-NY’s work includes a unique mix of civil and administrative matters, ranging from challenges to the Muslim Ban, to advocacy for victims of hate crimes, to employment discrimination litigation to representations in national security investigations. Additionally, our organization is at the forefront of emerging surveillance and privacy issues, lobbying and advocating for reforms at the municipal, state, and federal levels. In addition, CAIR-NY serves as a legal resource aimed at educating Muslim New Yorkers about the law and their rights as well as promoting civic engagement in American public life.  

While we are primarily interested in project proposals relating specifically to the Muslim community, we are open to any proposal relating to civil liberties and civil rights. CAIR-NY expects the largest need for fellows in the areas of: technology & privacy; law enforcement practices; criminal justice reform; employment law; rights of inmates in jails and prisons; expanding access to legal representation; student rights; equal access to education; immigrants’ rights; and voting rights.

QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Some experience with one or more of the following: litigation in federal courts; FOIA/FOIL litigation; First Amendment law; immigration law; employment law; Section 1983 police misconduct litigation; class action litigation; and/or national security law.

  • Strong legal research and writing skills.

  • Excellent interpersonal and phone skills.

  • Documented interest in civil rights and/or issues affecting American Muslims.

  • Preference given to candidates who have taken constitutional law, administrative law, and/or federal courts.

HOW TO APPLY:

To apply, please email a copy of your cover letter, CV, transcript, and writing sample to info@ny.cair.com with a subject: “Legal Fellowship”. In your cover letter, be sure to include specific area of interest and goals you would like to accomplish for the duration of your fellowship. Also, be sure to specify the fellowship to which you want to apply.

Legal Intern: Spring 2025

 CAIR-NY is accepting law student intern applications for the 2025 Spring Semester to carry out a broad mix of direct legal services, impact litigation, research, and government affairs engagement. Interns take on a wide array of individual cases, under the supervision of CAIR-NY’s Supervising Attorney. Our work includes a unique mix of civil and administrative matters, ranging from discrimination complaints at school to police misconduct litigation. Additionally, our organization is at the forefront of emerging surveillance and privacy issues, lobbying and advocating for reforms at the municipal, state, and federal levels. Interns will gain significant experience with client engagement, legal writing, and advocacy. 

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis with priority given to applications submitted by December 6th, 2024

Qualifications: 

  • Some experience with one or more of the following: litigation in federal courts; FOIA/FOIL litigation; First Amendment law; immigration law; employment law; Section 1983 police misconduct litigation; class action litigation; and/or national security law. 

  • Strong legal research and writing skills. 

  • Excellent interpersonal and phone skills. 

  • Documented interest in civil rights and/or issues affecting American Muslims. 

  • Preference given to students who have taken constitutional law, administrative law, and/or federal courts. 

  • All law students are welcome to apply; preference is given to 2Ls and 3Ls. 

  • Preference given to students who can devote at least 10 hours a week (Fall/Spring Semesters) 

To apply, please email a copy of your cover letter, resume, and writing sample to legal@ny.cair.com with a subject: “Legal Intern Spring 2025.” Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis with priority given to applications submitted by December 6th, 2024.