Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid (MMLA) is seeking rising 2L and 3L law students to work in our Minneapolis office. As an equal opportunity employer, MMLA is committed to inclusive hiring and dedicated to diversity in our work and staff. We strongly encourage candidates of all identities, experiences, and communities to apply. We welcome information about how your experience can contribute to serving our diverse client communities. Applicants are encouraged to share in their cover letter how they can further our goal of equal justice for all. We are committed to a discrimination- and harassment-free workplace.
The Regional Hub for New Americans: The Hub is a collaborative partnership of five immigration legal services providers in Minnesota – The Advocates for Human Rights (AHR), Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota (ILCM), Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid (MMLA), Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services (SMRLS), and Volunteer Lawyers Network (VLN). We are working together to expand access to immigration help throughout Minnesota through the creation of legal access points, education and community outreach, rapid response triage, and coordinated intake and referrals.
Immigration Law Project (ILP): ILP provides legal representation to clients in a full range of immigration contexts, including removal/deportation defense, adjustment of status, citizenship, and VAWA-based cases (U and T visas). This position specifically would focus on the work we do in collaboration with the Regional Hub for New Americans.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Apply the principles of MMLA’s Racial Justice Values Statement in all interactions.
- Interview clients and prepare immigration applications. Particular focus on intake screening; preparation of pro se asylum applications and other pro se and limited services for New Americans at our Waite House and Brian Coyle Community Clinics.
- Conduct legal research.
- Investigate and research changing immigration policies and their impact on the communities we serve
- Attend Hub Consultation clinics in St. Cloud or Willmar to screen community members for immigration relief
- Attend Juvenile Docket screening day at the immigration court
- Attend Legal Orientation Program (LOP) outreach and screening days at ICE detention facilities in Minnesota
Required Qualifications:
- Demonstrated interest in and commitment to the needs of low-income/vulnerable clients.
- Proficiency using Microsoft Office.
- Excellent attention to detail, interpersonal skills, and oral and written communication skills.
- Ability to handle a variety of assignments while building collaborative relationships with clients, staff, and the community.
- Ability to be in-person at community clinics throughout the metro and potentially in Greater MN (travel with MMLA staff can be arranged, do not need a vehicle)
Preferred Qualifications:
- Diverse economic, social, or cultural experiences preferred.
- Second language proficiency, especially Spanish preferred. Other preferred languages include Arabic, Hmong, Haitian Creole, or Somali.
- Prior experience in immigration law preferred.
- Experience in community outreach and engagement, preferred.
Compensation Information:
A stipend of $7,000 will be paid for 10 weeks of work to begin May 27, 2025.
Application Submission:
Submit resume, cover letter, and list of references expressing interest in the position through our Career Page at https://mylegalaid.org/about-us/employment/. Open until filled, with preference given to candidates who apply by May 15, 2025.
If you require a reasonable accommodation for completing this application, interviewing, or otherwise participating in our employee selection process, please contact Megan Cook at [email protected].
Please direct all other inquiries to [email protected].