U.S. Litigation Staff Attorney/ Senior Staff Attorney
Not Disclosed•Full-TimeHybrid
location_on342, West 30th Street, Chelsea District, Manhattan Community Board 4, Manhattan, New York County, New York, 10001, United States
IRAP is seeking an attorney with 3 or more years of legal experience, including substantial federal court litigation experience, to join the U.S. Litigation Department starting in September 2026. An attorney with 8 or more years of legal experience will be considered a Senior Staff Attorney. The attorney will be supervised by the Litigation Department's Senior Director or Deputy Director.
The International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP) is a global legal aid and advocacy organization working to create a world where refugees and all people seeking safety are empowered to claim their right to freedom of movement and a path to lasting refuge. As the number of people forced to flee their homes because of persecution, conflict, and the climate crisis continues to break global records, the need for equitable, accessible pathways to safety remains urgent. With humility and ambition, IRAP is collaborating with clients, partnering with refugee-led and community-based organizations, providing direct legal services, sharing legal information, and advocating for systemic change.
With four global offices, IRAP is supported by leading and forward-thinking funders, including inspiring donors and numerous foundations, corporate, and individual funders. With strong programs and leadership, IRAP is poised to serve even more people around the world who are seeking a safe place to live and a safe way to get there.
IRAP brings cutting-edge litigation, provides essential legal services, and fights for policy change in the U.S. and abroad to protect the rights and dignity of displaced people, including refugees, asylum seekers, and others who need a safe home.
Since the founding of IRAP's U.S. Litigation Department in 2017, we have challenged the ban on refugee admissions in both the first and current Trump Administrations; litigated protections for Special Immigrant Visa applicants from Iraq and Afghanistan; fought for family reunification for asylees and refugees; won protections for Iranian religious minorities wrongly denied refugee status; successfully fought DHS's indefinite detention of refugees in Minnesota and across the country; and obtained postponement of the termination of Temporary Protected Status for more than 6000 Syrians in the U.S., a case recently argued at the U.S. Supreme Court.
Our work involves complex civil and human rights litigation across the country. Our cases include Administrative Procedure Act challenges, class actions, mandamus cases, FOIA litigation, and constitutional questions. We aim to uplift the voices of our clients, to center impacted communities in every aspect of our litigation, and to employ a holistic lawyering model. Information about our current cases can be found at refugeerights.org.
Please apply through our website's careers page and upload/attach the following:
If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please refer to your request in the cover letter.
IRAP is an equal-opportunity employer; people of color and individuals from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply. IRAP does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, citizenship status, ethnic background, religion, political orientation, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, or any other protected class. We consider all qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of all local, state, and federal laws related to the Fair Chance Act.
Work model: Hybrid
342, West 30th Street, Chelsea District, Manhattan Community Board 4, Manhattan, New York County, New York, 10001, United States
New York, New York
Prior experience using interpreters for client communications. Additional languages, particularly Arabic, Dari, Farsi, Haitian Creole, Pashto, Somali, and/or Spanish. Familiarity with the Immigration and Nationality Act, refugee processing, and/or a practical understanding of immigration law. Experience or demonstrated interest in incorporating principles of movement lawyering.
International Refugee Assistance Project operates within the law practice industry and is headquartered in New York. This organization functions as a global legal aid and advocacy entity dedicated to empowering refugees and individuals seeking safety. Its core mission involves supporting these populations in claiming their right to freedom of movement and securing a path to lasting refuge.
The organization serves refugees and all people looking for safety worldwide. It works to ensure that everyone has access to a safe place to live and a secure method of travel to reach that destination. By providing legal assistance and advocacy, the group helps individuals navigate complex systems to find protection.
As a global entity, the International Refugee Assistance Project extends its reach beyond local boundaries to address international displacement issues. The organization focuses on practical legal support and broader advocacy efforts to create an environment where displaced persons can exercise their rights. This approach aligns with the fundamental belief that safety and shelter are essential for all who need them.
Browse more roles: All International Refugee Assistance Project jobs, legal jobs on Recrutus.
Experience
3+ yrs (Mid Level)
Job Type
Full-Time
