CILA Spring 2026 Legal Intern (Paid Internship)

The American Bar Association (ABA) was founded on a commitment to advance the rule of law in the United States and beyond by providing practical resources for legal professionals, conducting law school accreditation, developing model ethics codes and more. Today, the ABA remains a member-based organization that works to ensure access to justice for all, a fair legal process, and respect for the rule of law at home and across the globe.

The ABA is committed to service and refining the standards that guide the legal profession. ABA staff are provided multiple types of continuing education and career development opportunities. Your work will help eliminate bias, enhance diversity, and advance the rule of law throughout the US and around the world.

The ABA recognizes the value staff contribute to our success through a generous benefits package that protects their health and their financial security. The ABA’s wide array of benefit offerings include 401(k), medical, dental, vision, flexible spending accounts, health spending accounts, supplemental life and disability insurance, prepaid legal programs, and a complimentary membership to the American Bar Association, which offers additional benefits.

Flexible/hybrid work arrangements may be available for residents of CA, DC, IL, IN, IA, MD, MI, MN, TX, VA, and WI. Residency requirements may apply. ABA employees are eligible to apply for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF).


The American Bar Association - Children’s Immigration Law Academy (CILA) has an opportunity for a paid legal intern to gain valuable experience while contributing to the important work of the ABA. CILA’s mission is to empower champions for unaccompanied children, advocates who guide children through complex legal procedures, to do so with courage, competency, compassion, and creativity. Through our work, we hope to ensure more immigrant youth are represented and to provide the resources and expertise needed to support those who endeavor to assist them.

Internship assignment will not exceed ten weeks in duration (29 hours per week) and is located in Houston, TX. This position will require a combination of in-office and remote/telework. This is a paid internship. Interns will be paid $21.00 per hour. Paid interns are not eligible to participate in all of the ABA's benefit programs. Paid internships are reserved for instances where the intern is not receiving academic credit and/or pro bono credit.

Description of Internship Opportunity:
• Training program that will train the intern to:
◦ Understand the sources of immigration law and policy including working with unaccompanied children, removal proceedings, asylum and special immigrant juvenile status.
◦ Enhance both oral and written presentation skills.
◦ Learn practical lawyering skills including research, assessing legal options, and counseling clients.
◦ Connect with the immigration legal community in Houston and across the state and country.
• Projects and Opportunities for Intern:
◦ Legal Research and Writing (50%): The legal intern would spend about half of their time assisting staff attorneys with research requests that come in from advocates around the country.  Additionally, the legal intern will be responsible for 1-2 independent research projects to be completed over the course of the summer under the supervision of a CILA attorney. The completed project(s) will be used to create original resources for advocates, shared on our website and in our newsletter.
◦ Collaboration with Advocates (25%): The legal intern will have the opportunity to participate in 2-4 working groups depending on their scheduled time with CILA.
◦ Training (25%): The legal intern will have the opportunity to participate in trainings designed to empower advocates to better meet the legal needs of unaccompanied children as scheduled over the semester.
Required Education, Qualifications, Experience
• Individuals must be 18 years of age or older and authorized to work in the United States.
• Individuals must be currently in law school or a recent law school graduate.
Additional Desired Qualifications
• Applicants should have an interest in immigration law and/or working on behalf of children.
• Applicants should have strong research and writing skills.
• Spanish language is not required.
Physical Requirements
Typical office work environment.
The Application Process
Submit an online application including your cover letter and resume.


The American Bar Association is an Equal Opportunity Employer: Disability/Veteran. In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act (ADAAA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position with the American Bar Association, please call 312-988-5188