Founded in 1974, the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF) is a national organization that protects and promotes the civil rights of Asian Americans. By combining litigation, advocacy, education, and organizing, AALDEF works with Asian American communities across the country to secure human rights for all.
Our Educational Equity and Youth Rights program is seeking a legal intern for the summer of 2012. We partner with youth groups across the country in campaigns for educational equity and youth rights, as well as conduct litigation, legal representation and federal, state and local policy advocacy. The intern will assist AALDEF’s attorneys in a range of matters working with Asian American youth from diverse ethnic backgrounds, and in particular English Language Learners, immigrants and refugees, and those from lower income or educationally disadvantaged backgrounds. Such matters may include any or all of the following: school dropout and pushout policies, post 9-11 racial and ethnic profiling, the lack of Asian-language programming and assistance, racial discrimination and harassment in public schools, and maintaining affirmative action as well as combating discrimination in higher education.
Description of Summer Internship Program:
The summer program is ten weeks, from approximately June 4 through August 10. Interns work full-time and are supervised by attorneys in specific program areas. Interns will work on litigation, legal and policy advocacy, community outreach and education, and client intakes. Each program area differs in emphasis. Summer interns attend weekly brown bag lectures on a range of public interest legal topics along with interns from other legal defense funds and civil rights groups. The position is unpaid. However, in previous years many AALDEF interns have been successful at securing independent funding. Academic credit can be arranged.
To Apply:
Interested applicants should send a cover letter, resume, and writing sample to be received by AALDEF on or before Friday, April 6, 2012 at the address below. Only law students qualify for AALDEF’s legal internships. Applications may be faxed or e-mailed.
Any Asian language bilingual ability should be stated in the application. Bilingual ability is helpful but not required.
Applications will be reviewed upon receipt until the April 6, 2012 deadline. Interviewing will take place on a rolling basis. Only applicants who have been granted interviews will be notified of their advancement in the application process.
Summer Internship Search (Educational Equity)
Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund
99 Hudson Street, 12th floor
New York, New York 10013-2815
Fax: 212-966-4303 Email: [email protected]
For more information,contact:
Thomas Mariadason at 212-966-5932 x223 or [email protected]