Careers
Join our mission to protect and strengthen the rights and dignity of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities, especially those that are most disadvantaged, the low-income, and everyone in need.
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NEW CEO SEARCH
Following our announcement about the departure of Connie Chung Joe, the nationwide search for our next CEO has begun. In partnership with Maneva Group, AJSOCAL seeks a dynamic leader to continue our legacy of fighting for justice and the well-being of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.
In this moment of national uncertainty and heightened challenges for civil rights organizations, AJSOCAL is looking for a courageous, strategic leader who can steer the organization through the shifting winds of a volatile federal landscape. This is a chance to honor the organization’s roots while embracing a bold, visionary approach to future growth, grounded in cultural authenticity and community trust.
Internships & Clerkships
Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California offers internships and law clerkships for undergraduate, graduate, and law students seeking work experience at a public interest organization. Our law clerkships for the year 2025 will be funded by the State Bar Legal Aid Fellowship Grant Program, and each fellow (up to 6 in 2025) will receive funding in the amount of $7,500.
Check out our internship opportunities below!
Administrative Intern
The Administrative Intern assists with general office, HR, IT, Accounting, Facilities, and Marketing activities as determined and directed by the Senior Administrative Specialist. Administrative interns assist with the day-to-day operations of the organization. They commonly perform a wide range of tasks, from answering phones to filing paperwork to organizing meetings and events. Administrative interns may also be given more specialized assignments depending on their interests and skills.
Duties include, but are not limited to:
- Answer main line to direct callers to appropriate parties, answer questions and resolve issues.
- Providing support to staff members in other departments as needed
- Assist Sr. Admin Specialist in tracking and following up on purchase orders.
- Performing clerical tasks such as filing, scanning documents into an electronic system, and making copies of documents
- Conducting research on potential clients or industries for which the company provides services.
- Preparing presentations for internal meetings on topics such as company goals, current projects, or industry trends
- Drafting letters and memos to staff members and customers, as directed by supervisor.
- Helping with marketing efforts by creating flyers and brochures promoting new products or services offered by the company.
Qualifications:
- High degree of organizational skill and problem-solving ability; specifically, the ability to work as a self-starter – especially as it relates to calling on resources outside the firm.
- Resourcefulness in finding information and answers from within and outside the company without prompting or micromanagement; a “consummate” self-starter.
- Respect for details; ability to execute accurately at a high level without excess supervision.
- Ability to prioritize/execute to achieve desired company and project goals with prudence and sense of urgency.
- Articulate communication skills – verbal, pictorial and numerical.
- Strong telephone etiquette, communication, and organizational skills, as well as excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- General computer skills including Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Schedule Requirements: This is an in-person position. A minimum of 15 hours per week is preferred. This is an unpaid internship. Open to candidates seeking academic credit. Applications are open for Fall and Winter 2024.
OC Immigration Project Law Intern
Position: Legal Intern
Location: AJSOCAL Office (Remote work options available upon agreement)
Type: Unpaid Internship
Duration: To be agreed upon prior to the commencement of the internship
Hours per Week: To be agreed upon prior to the commencement of the internship
About AJSOCAL: Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California (AJSOCAL) is a leading organization dedicated to advocating for civil rights and providing legal services to Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders, and other underserved communities. We are committed to advancing justice through litigation, advocacy, and community engagement.
Internship Duties and Responsibilities:
- Client Support: Assist in completing intakes for naturalization and immigration clients, ensuring accurate and timely processing of client information.
- Application Assistance: Help complete N-400 applications and other relevant immigration forms for clients under the supervision of legal staff.
- Interpretation Services: Provide interpretation assistance to attorneys and legal staff during client meetings and consultations.
- Shadowing: Gain valuable experience by shadowing attorneys and legal staff as they handle immigration and naturalization cases.
- Legal Research: Conduct legal research to support attorneys and legal staff in preparing for cases and client consultations.
- Event Coordination: Assist with the coordination and execution of naturalization clinics, ensuring smooth operation and client satisfaction.
- Client Communication: Support attorneys with client communication, including follow-ups and case updates.
- Marketing and Outreach: Create advertising materials for immigration and naturalization events to help raise community awareness.
- Client Materials: Develop and prepare client materials and packets to be distributed during clinic events and consultations.
- Additional Duties: Perform other duties as directed by your supervisor to support the organization’s mission.
Qualifications:
- Strong interest in immigration law and civil rights advocacy.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Proficiency in a second language is highly desirable (e.g., Mandarin, Korean, Vietnamese, Tagalog).
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
How to Apply: Please submit your resume and a cover letter explaining your interest in the internship and any relevant experience to Sabrena Tran (Legal Advocate Coordinator) via stran@ajsocal.org. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
Additional Information:
- Interns are encouraged to work from the AJSOCAL office, but remote work options are available upon agreement with the supervisor.
- The internship is unpaid, but offers a valuable opportunity to gain hands-on experience in immigration law and advocacy.
Join AJSOCAL and contribute to our mission of advancing justice for Asian Americans and other underserved communities!
Programs Intern
The Programs Intern assists with general programs activities as determined and directed by the Vice President of Programs. Programs interns assist with the daily operations of the organization’s programs. They commonly perform a wide range of tasks, from legal and social science research to administrative tasks to organizing meetings and events. Programs interns may also be given more specialized assignments depending on their interests and skills.
Duties include, but are not limited to:
- Providing support to various programs members as needed.
- Assist Vice President of Programs in tracking and following up on administrative tasks.
- Performing clerical and/or administrative tasks such as filing, scanning documents into an electronic system, and making copies of documents, etc.
- Conducting research on legal or social science topics. Analyze researched data and create relevant reports.
- Gather information and reports from program units. Prepare compelling presentations based on gathered data.
- Drafting letters and memos to staff members and customers, as directed by supervisor.
- Providing logistical support and event planning.
- Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications:
- High degree of organizational skill and problem-solving ability; specifically, the ability to work as a self-starter – especially as it relates to calling on resources outside the firm.
- Resourcefulness in finding information and answers from within and outside the company without prompting or micromanagement; a “consummate” self-starter.
- Respect for details; ability to execute accurately at a high level without excess supervision.
- Ability to prioritize/execute to achieve desired company and project goals with prudence and sense of urgency.
- Articulate communication skills – verbal, pictorial and numerical.
- Strong telephone etiquette, communication, and organizational skills, and excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong commitment to client confidentiality and data security. Demonstrates excellent judgment when handling sensitive information.
- General computer skills including Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Schedule Requirements: This is an in-person position. A minimum of 15 hours per week is preferred. This is an unpaid internship. Open to candidates seeking academic credit. Applications are open for Fall and Winter 2024.
Citizenship Project Intern
The Citizenship Project at AJSOCAL has developed a comprehensive citizenship program which has helped more than 19,000 individuals with the naturalization process. The Citizenship Project provides weekly citizenship clinics (in-person) and collaborates with community-based organizations to hold free citizenship workshops to help people determine their eligibility for citizenship, complete the application, and apply for fee waivers when necessary. While the organization assists hundreds of individuals locally each year, it also provides technical assistance to community-based organizations throughout Los Angeles and the rest of the country to support capacity building as they develop their own naturalization assistance programs.
Qualifications: Experience working with immigrants, the naturalization process, or with low-income communities is preferred. Demonstrated commitment to public interest and prior non-profit experience also preferred.
Duties may include, but are not limited to: Assisting applicants with completion of their N-400 Application for Naturalization and Fee Waivers, translation/interpretation requests, and contacting clients to confirm eligibility for naturalization or follow up on their cases upon request from attorneys or DOJ accredited representatives. There may also be some case-related administrative duties assigned as needed.
Language requirements: Bilingual fluency in English and an Asian language preferred but not required.
Schedule requirements: We offer most of our citizenship services through weekly citizenship clinics on Thursdays and one-on-one appointments with attorneys on Mondays and Wednesdays. Interns will be expected to work 10-15 hours a week in-person at our office (preferably Monday, Wednesday, and/or Thursday).
AAPI Queer Joy Campaign Policy Intern
The AAPI Queer Joy Policy Intern will help with AJSOCAL’s newly launched AAPI Queer Joy campaign and be supervised directly by the LA Regional Policy Advocate. The policy intern will play a critical role in the development, execution and dissemination of the social media and educational strategies of the AAPI Queer Joy campaign – focusing on uplifting Queer and Trans Asian Pacific Islander (QTAPI) community needs and leaders. Though the focus will be the AAPI Queer Joy campaign, other tasks maybe be assigned; including but not limited to, administrative tasks, broader department support, events, meetings and research.
Duties include, but are not limited to:
- Create a social media campaign involving some type of medium like video or photo that spans at least three posts
- Identify a specific topic that can highlight the QTAPI community’s needs
- Administrative tasks related to the AAPI Queer Joy campaign.
- Stay up to date with current LGBTQ+ landscape of community organizations and leaders (with a focus on AAPI community-serving organizations, but also beyond).
- Stay up to date with current LGBTQ+ news in California and in the United States.
- Keep track of social media trends and current LGBTQ+ related policy news with a focus on California but nationally as needed.
- Provide support to AAPI Queer Joy Campaign and other Policy team tasks as needed.
- Gather information and reports from partner organizations. Prepare presentations based on gathered data as needed.
- Providing logistical support and event planning as needed.
- Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications:
- Authentic appreciation and/or knowledge of Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander community and intersectionality with LGBTQ+ issues.
- Skills with social media, text campaigns and website management.
- Proficiency in digital analysis.
- Excellent writing skills.
- Comfort with business culture and protocol.
- High school degree required.
- High degree of organizational skill and problem-solving ability; specifically, the ability to work as a self-starter – as it relates to calling on resources outside the organization.
- Respect for details; ability to execute accurately at a high level without excess supervision.
- Proficient computer skills including Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, Canva.
- Proficiency in social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok preferred.
Schedule Requirements: This is a hybrid position. A minimum of 15 hours per week is preferred. For Spring, the internship will preferably run from January 2025 through May or June 2025. Open to candidates seeking academic credit. This is an unpaid internship. Applications are open for Spring, Summer and Fall 2025.
Communications Intern
Support AJSOCAL’s Communications team by creating digital content and campaigns to inspire engagement from young advocates. Create and execute a digital campaign to strengthen the organization’s reach with an emphasis on the 18-25 age group in Southern California. Support creation of historical timeline and a bank of diverse Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California client stories. Support with communications needs for our 2023 fundraising gala.
Qualifications: Authentic appreciation and/or knowledge of Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander issues. Skills with social media, text campaigns and website management. Proficiency in digital analysis. Excellent writing skills. Comfort with business culture and protocol. High school degree required.
Duties include, but are not limited to:
- Assist with creation of historical timeline of Asian American and organization history
- Produce and collect content for inspirational diverse client stories
- Identify API student groups and execute digital campaign to strengthen organization reach to young advocates (Ages 18-25)
- Create, document and execute an integrated plan to boost social media followers on all Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California’s channels
- Assist in the creation of digital content. (IG Reels, TikTok, social media graphics, blog posts)
- Increase website traffic and expand email subscriber list
- Identify and contact appropriate partners and influencers to establish relationships
- Support 2024 Fundraising Gala
- Limited administrative duties as required
Schedule Requirements: This is a hybrid position. A minimum of 15 hours per week is preferred. For Fall, the internship will preferably run from September 2023 through November or December 2023. Open to candidates seeking academic credit. This is an unpaid internship. Applications are open for Fall and Winter 2024.
Communications Social Media Intern
Support AJSOCAL’s Communications team by capturing and creating content for our social media platforms, print materials, and website. Support creation of historical timeline and a bank of diverse Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California client stories. Support with communications needs for our 2024 fundraising gala.
Qualifications: Authentic appreciation and/or knowledge of Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander issues. Skills with social media, text campaigns, and website management. Proficiency in digital analysis. Excellent writing skills. Comfort with business culture and protocol. High school degree required.
Duties include, but are not limited to:
- Assist in capturing communications assets such as picture and video
- Can create digital content when needed: IG Reels/TikTok, social media graphics, blog posts, and printed materials
- Can create optimized versions of digital content for different platforms/uses (e.g. Turning a social media graphic into a flyer)
- Have working knowledge of automated publishing platforms such as Hootsuite
- Assist with creation of historical posts of Asian American and organizational history
- Identify API student groups and execute digital campaigns to strengthen organization reach to young advocates (Ages 18-25)
- Support 2024 Fundraising Gala
- Limited administrative duties as required
Schedule Requirements: This is a hybrid position. A minimum of 15 hours per week is preferred. Open to candidates seeking academic credit. This is an unpaid internship. Applications are open for Fall and Winter 2024.
Communications Film and Production Intern
Support AJSOCAL’s Communications team by capturing and creating video content for our social media platforms and website. Put your creative skills to work as you work in multiple areas of the production process. You will exercise your multitasking abilities as you assist in developing ideas, filming pieces, and editing takes.
Qualifications: Authentic appreciation and/or knowledge of Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander issues. Have a strong passion for creative storytelling. Experience with script writing, filming, and editing. Proficient in Canva, Adobe Premiere Pro, iMovie, or any video editing software. High school degree required.
Duties include, but are not limited to:
- Assist in capturing communications video and photo assets to create digital content when needed for IG Reels/TikTok/Youtube.
- Research topics for video content using a variety of sources, including video archives, the internet, etc. as needed.
- Produce and edit video content that adhere to company guidelines and standards to share on online channels, including social media, YouTube, and our website.
- Provide assistance as needed in all components of the production, including sound, lighting, camera, editing and postproduction.
- Perform other duties as requested by Communications team to ensure all necessary tasks are performed in a proficient manner.
- Identify API student groups and execute digital campaigns to strengthen organization reach to young advocates (Ages 18-25).
- Support 2024 Fundraising Gala.
- Limited administrative duties as required.
Schedule Requirements: This is a hybrid position. A minimum of 15 hours per week is preferred. Open to candidates seeking academic credit. This is an unpaid internship. Applications are open for Fall and Winter 2024.
Fellowships
AJSOCAL’s first-ever Mark Yoshida Public Interest Fellowship! ⚖️
Do you want to make a difference in your community with your legal degree? Do you care deeply about immigrants in our country? Want to accelerate the start of your public interest career? Then, apply to be our 2026 Mark Yoshida Fellow!
This unique Fellowship allows recent law school graduates to begin their legal career in a service-first, community minded environment, focused on serving AAPIs. Over the next two years, your legal education will be put to the test, learning from experienced immigration lawyers and dedicated community advocates at AJSOCAL.
As an AJSOCAL fellow, you will provide direct legal aid to low-income and marginalized community members to support their immigration needs. You will also learn how to apply community lawyering strategies and find creative solutions for our clients.
Applications close on August 15th, 2025.
AJSOCAL happily considers requests to host individuals for fellowships, where the projects align with our areas of expertise and the fellow is able to identify their own outside source of funding.
This includes current law students from any ABA-accredited law school seeking a postgraduate fellowship that is partially or fully funded by an external source, such as a Skadden fellowship, Equal Justice Works, Justice Catalyst, Soros, or a program funded by your school.
If you would like to explore potential opportunities, please contact HR@ajsocal.org
All positions are subject to funding, and non-collective bargaining unit positions are also at will.