KIND Seattle Seeking AmeriCorps JD MemberLaw Student Intern

ABOUT KIND: Kids in Need of Defense (KIND) staff and our pro bono attorney partners at law firms, corporations, and law schools nationwide represent unaccompanied immigrant and refugee children in their immigration proceedings. Together, we ensure that no child is left to navigate the complex immigration system, or appear in court, alone. KIND is an innovative partnership among the Microsoft Corporation, Angelina Jolie, and other interested philanthropists, law firms, and corporate supporters. Launched in Fall 2008, KIND is headquartered in Washington, D.C. and has field offices across the U.S.

ABOUT JUSTICE AMERICORPS:The justice AmeriCorps program was launched in December 2014 as a joint initiative of the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) and the Department of Justice Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) to expand access to legal representation for unaccompanied immigrant children. The AmeriCorps JD Program engages law students around the country who are working to expand the delivery of legal services to those who need it most.

POSITION SUMMARY: KIND’s Seattle office is seeking a Law Student AmeriCorps JD Member for KIND’s Seattle office. The AmeriCorps JD Member will assist the Equal Justice Works AmeriCorps Legal Fellow with providing legal services to unaccompanied immigrant and refugee children in immigration proceedings. KIND’s strong preference is for the intern to begin the internship during Summer 2016.

AmeriCorps JD students will serve 450 hours supporting attorneys and paralegals engaged in this effort. Students will conduct legal screenings, country conditions research, and legal analysis to support the claims of unaccompanied children placed in removal proceedings. They will have the opportunity to work alongside experienced staff and gain in-depth understanding of this complex and cutting-edge area of law.

Spanish fluency is required.

The internship will provide students with an opportunity to practice their client interviewing and counseling skills, and gain familiarity with the substance and procedure of immigration law.

COMPENSATION: AmeriCorps JD is an AmeriCorps-funded program that provides law students with the opportunity to earn an AmeriCorps education award voucher of $1,515 that can be used to pay educational expenses or student loans. Students may seek up to $6,000 in additional compensation for their service, for a total of up to $7,515 in compensation. The additional compensation may be funded by a Federal Work Study Award, the student’s law school, local bar foundation, and/or other public interest fellowship award. In addition, students are welcome to hold outside employment to supplement their income. Students may not, however, earn class credit for their service hours.

Students must complete 450 hours of service by September 30, 2016. Students may choose to work 30 hours per week for 10 weeks over the summer or may spread their hours over their winter session, spring semester, and/or summer 2016 as they prefer. Requirements to serve include completion of National Sex Offender Public Registry check, state criminal background check(s), FBI Fingerprint criminal background check, and submission of proof of U.S. citizenship.

LOCATION: Seattle, Washington

TO APPLY: Please send a resume, cover letter, writing sample, and list of 3 references to Melody Young at myoung@supportkind.org. Include “[Your Name] – EJW AmeriCorps JD Internship” in the subject of the email.

Application Deadline: Open Until Filled

Kids In Need of Defense (KIND) is an equal opportunity employer. Minorities, women, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

2