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Thank you for your interest in joining the Human Trafficking Legal Center.

Summer Legal Fellow

THE POSITION

The Human Trafficking Legal Center is seeking full-time legal fellows for the Summer 2027. As a host organization, the Human Trafficking Legal Center supports legal fellow applicants in applying to law school-sponsored or other summer internship funding. To supplement funding from fellows’ law schools or other scholarship programs, the Human Trafficking Legal Center provides a modest stipend of $1,000 for the summer.

THE MISSION

The Human Trafficking Legal Center is a bridge to justice for trafficking survivors. The Human Trafficking Legal Center connects trafficking survivors with pro bono representation so they can seek justice and thrive. We demand accountability from traffickers, from governments, and from corporations.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Analyze trafficking cases using the Center’s civil litigation database;
Research and draft fact sheets and publications on issues related to the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act (TVPRA) and other human trafficking trends;
Conduct legal research related to the TVPRA and strategic litigation;
Assist with direct representation of clients in connection with immigration petitions and prepare immigration filings under the supervision of an experienced immigration attorney;
Attend conferences and webinars on issues related to human trafficking and forced labor;
Conduct legal research on forced labor;
Research and analyze import prohibitions against goods made with forced labor, including latest international developments;
Assist in drafting import ban policy memos, responses to calls for public input, and import ban petitions;
Assist in the drafting and filing of amicus briefs in TVPRA cases; and
Provide support to the legal team as needed.

QUALIFICATIONS

Strong interest and commitment to human rights and public interest law;
Excellent research, writing, and analytical skills;
Excellent communication skills;
Ability to handle several tasks at once while working independently or as a member of a team; and
Willingness to take initiative and master unfamiliar areas of law.

The organization works on a hybrid basis. The organization prefers that fellows work in person in the Washington, D.C. office. Fellows are expected to be in the Human Trafficking Legal Center’s office at least one day each week.

The legal fellowship program begins in May and ends in August, although dates are flexible. Candidates must be available for 35 hours/week minimum over ten weeks. Authorization to work in the United States is required. Applicants must be law students currently enrolled in law school.

SUBMISSION DEADLINE

Open until filled. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

TO APPLY

Please send your cover letter, resume, short writing sample (2-5 pages), and a list of 3 references, all in PDF format, to applications@htlegalcenter.org with “Summer Law Fellow Application” in the subject line.

Only selected applicants will be contacted for video or in-person interviews. NO PHONE CALLS, PLEASE.

Staff Attorney (Strategic Litigation)

Download the position description here.

Position: Staff Attorney

Organization: The Human Trafficking Legal Center

Location: Washington, D.C. This position is hybrid and will require working in the organization’s Washington, D.C. office at least one day each week. Candidates must live within commuting distance of the Washington, D.C. office.

Employment Type: Full-time

Salary: $75,000 – $85,000, commensurate with experience

Application Deadline: Open until filled (applications will be considered on a rolling basis)

Position Description:
The Human Trafficking Legal Center is seeking a Staff Attorney to join the organization’s strategic litigation program. The strategic litigation program works to combat forced labor and all forms of human trafficking through federal litigation under the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act.

The Staff Attorney will work with the Senior Staff Attorney for Strategic Litigation on (1) case development focused on forced labor in supply chains; (2) active litigation with partner organizations and pro bono counsel on federal civil human trafficking cases; (3) provision of expert technical assistance to partner organizations and pro bono counsel on civil trafficking cases, (4) appellate advocacy, particularly amicus briefs; (5) community development, including the management of community listservs, the planning and execution of an annual strategic litigation/forced labor convening in Washington, D.C., and monthly civil litigation Zoom meetings, (6) research and analysis on the organization’s federal civil litigation database, and (7) drafting reports and guides, including publication of the Human Trafficking Legal Center’s Civil Litigation Report.

The Staff Attorney is expected to work in the office at least one day each week. The Staff Attorney must be available to travel domestically for hearings and trials.

The Mission:
The Human Trafficking Legal Center is a bridge to justice for trafficking survivors. The Human Trafficking Legal Center connects trafficking survivors with pro bono representation so they can seek justice and thrive. We demand accountability from traffickers, from governments, and from corporations.

Responsibilities:

Case development of forced labor cases under the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act (TVPRA);
Litigation of forced labor/human trafficking cases with partner firms and organizations, including research, analysis, drafting, and filings;
Advancement of the amicus brief program, including legal research, drafting, and coordinating with co-counsel;
Provision of case-specific technical support to civil litigators, including reviewing and editing briefs, organizing and participating in moots, and providing case strategy advice;
Maintenance of the civil case database, including both the public-facing database and internal federal case tracking;
Development and maintenance of collaborative relationships with community partners at the domestic and international levels;
Management of the organization’s International Strategic Litigation Listserv and Civil Litigation Listserv;
Facilitation of the Human Trafficking Legal Center’s monthly civil litigation Zoom meetings for the Civil Litigation Listserv community;
Planning of the annual strategic litigation convening in Washington, D.C.;
Publishing articles, blogs, and reports on developments on civil litigation and developments in the strategic litigation field;
Drafting and publishing the Civil Litigation Data Update, a five-year report analyzing trends in the civil case database.

Qualifications:

Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school with a strong academic record;
Admission to a U.S. state bar, in good standing (member or eligibility for membership in the D.C. Bar);
3-4 years of legal experience involving federal civil litigation, including clerkships;
Excellent legal research and writing skills;
Strong interpersonal and communication skills;
Ability to work collaboratively with partner organizations, NGOs, pro bono law firms, legislators, attorneys, and advocates;
Excellent organizational, time management, and communication skills;
Attention to detail;
Ability to work as part of a team;
Ability to work well under pressure while managing multiple tasks simultaneously;
Ability to think strategically and creatively;
Ability to work independently and take initiative;
Ability and willingness to collaborate across teams and cultures;
A sense of humor.

Preferred but not required qualifications:

Federal judicial clerkship preferred;
Experience in human trafficking work preferred, but not required;
Experience working with or representing vulnerable populations;
Experience litigating cases in federal court, including trial experience;
Fluency in a second language, preferably Spanish.

This is a full-time, salaried position. Regular hours are 9:00 to 5:00 Monday through Friday. The Human Trafficking Legal Center has a generous leave and benefits program.

Benefits include three weeks of paid vacation each year, one floating holiday per calendar year, your birthday as a holiday, and five days of sick leave per year. We offer up to twelve weeks of parental leave through the D.C. Paid Family Leave Program. We observe all federal holidays as paid days off, including the Friday after Thanksgiving. The Human Trafficking Legal Center office is closed for a mental health week one week in August each year. The office is also closed between Christmas and New Year; these weeks are considered paid time off.

The Human Trafficking Legal Center makes an annual contribution equal to 2% of each employee’s annual earnings to an Ascensus Trust SIMPLE IRA. Employees may also make voluntary contributions to this account each month from pre-tax earnings.

The Human Trafficking Legal Center provides 100%-employer-paid medical, dental, and vision care insurance for employees. Employees have the option to pay for coverage of dependents through salary deductions.

The Human Trafficking Legal Center is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, citizenship, age, religion, disability status, genetic information, military status, or any other classification as provided by law.

This position is hybrid and will require working in the organization’s Washington, D.C. at least one day each week and as needed in order to fulfill job and organizational duties. Candidates must also live within commuting distance to the Washington, D.C. office.

Please email a cover letter, resume, and a list of three references to applications@htlegalcenter.org. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until a candidate is selected.

Staff Attorney (Direct Legal Services)

Download the position description here.

Position: Staff Attorney

Organization: The Human Trafficking Legal Center

Location: Washington, D.C. This position is hybrid and will require working in the organization’s Washington, D.C. office at least two days each week. Candidates must live within commuting distance of the Washington, D.C. office.

Employment Type: Full-time

Salary: $75,000 – $85,000 range, commensurate with experience

Application Deadline: Open until filled (applications will be considered on a rolling basis)

Position Description:
The Human Trafficking Legal Center is seeking a Staff Attorney to support the organization’s immigration and direct legal services portfolio. The direct legal services program represents foreign national survivors of trafficking in their immigration cases before the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and provides technical assistance on human trafficking-related legal matters.

The Staff Attorney will work with the Senior Staff Attorney for Direct Legal Services on (1) trauma-informed legal representation to survivors seeking immigration relief and criminal victim-witness advocacy; (2) development of partnerships to build a robust referral network for human trafficking survivors (3) provision of expert technical assistance to partner-organizations and pro bono counsel working with survivors on trafficking related legal matters; (4) advocacy on immigration and related issues with coalitions and key stakeholders.

The Staff Attorney is expected to work in the office at least two days each week.

The Mission:
The Human Trafficking Legal Center is a bridge to justice for trafficking survivors. The Human Trafficking Legal Center connects trafficking survivors with pro bono legal representation so they can seek justice and thrive. We demand accountability from traffickers, from governments, and from corporations.

Responsibilities:

Support direct legal services to clients in affirmative immigration petitions before USCIS, including T-visas, Continued Presence, deferred action, adjustment of status, work authorizations and naturalization.
Support survivors of trafficking in law enforcement reporting and investigations.
Expand and maintain partnerships to build a robust referral network for social and legal services for trafficking survivors.
Collaborate with case managers at local partner social service agencies to provide wraparound services to the Human Trafficking Legal Center’s clients.
Support training and technical assistance to pro bono counsel, including counsel representing the Human Trafficking Legal Center’s clients in defensive or other immigration proceedings.
Provide referrals for related matters (e.g., housing, employment, and family law) to trafficking survivors.
Participate in coalitions, networks, and working groups to advocate on immigration policy issues for trafficking survivors.
Draft and submit public comments on key policy issues impacting trafficking survivors.
Advocate for trafficking survivors’ rights and systemic policy change before Congress and the executive branch.

Qualifications:

Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school with a strong academic record;
Admission to a U.S. state bar, in good standing (must be a member or eligible for membership in the D.C. Bar);
3-4 years of legal experience involving immigration work;
Excellent legal research and writing skills;
Experience with immigration law and T visa filings;
Experience in providing trauma-informed legal services;
Strong interpersonal and communication skills;
Ability to work collaboratively with partner organizations, NGOs, pro bono law firms, agency officials and staff, legislators, attorneys, and advocates;
Excellent organizational, time management, and communication skills;
Attention to detail;
Ability to work as part of a team;
Ability to work well while managing multiple tasks simultaneously;
Ability to think strategically and creatively;
Ability to work independently and take initiative;
Ability and willingness to collaborate across teams and cultures;
A sense of humor.

Preferred but not required qualifications:

Experience in human trafficking work preferred, but not required;
Experience working with or representing vulnerable populations;
Fluency in a second language, preferably Spanish.

This is a full-time, salaried position. The Human Trafficking Legal Center supports the professional development and growth of each staff member and has a generous leave policy.

Regular hours are 9:00 to 5:00 Monday through Friday. Benefits include three weeks of paid vacation each year, one floating holiday per calendar year, your birthday as a holiday, and five days of sick leave per year. We offer up to twelve weeks of parental leave through the D.C. Paid Family Leave Program. We observe all federal holidays as paid days off, including the Friday after Thanksgiving. The Human Trafficking Legal Center office is closed for a mental health week one week in August each year. The office is also closed between Christmas and New Year; these weeks are considered paid time off.

This position is hybrid and will require working in the organization’s Washington, D.C. at least two days each week, and as needed to fulfill job and organizational duties. Candidates must also live within commuting distance to the Washington, D.C. office.

Please email a cover letter, resume, and a list of three references to applications@htlegalcenter.org. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until a candidate is selected.