Internship Program

The Frankel Fellowships

First and second year law students can compete for two $1000 grants funding one summer intern in our DC office and one in our NY office, each working in our Refugee Protection Program. The fellowships are given in memory of Marvin Frankel, who contributed in many important ways to the human rights movement. Judge Frankel was an active member of Human Rights First’s Board for more than 24 years, serving as Chairman for 16 years. He traveled, on Human Rights First’s behalf to many countries including the former Soviet Union, Argentina, the Philippines and Kenya. He participated actively in litigation challenging the U.S. government’s treatment of Haitian refugees. Through his leadership Human Rights First developed a nationally recognized pro bono program through which lawyers in New York and Washington now represent more than 1000 asylum applicants from more than 80 countries. This is the largest program of its kind in the country. Judge Frankel’s colleagues at Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel, and members of his family and friends have provided funds to enable Human Rights First to fund two Frankel interns each summer. Each of the Frankel interns will work for 10 weeks in the Refugee Protection Program. Duties will include organizing case material, participating in intake interviews and possible visits to a detention center. The fellows will also oversee the Frankel Lecture Series, helping to choose staff and guest speakers and topics for the summer brown bag lunch series. Interested students should apply for the fellowship to Human Rights First Internship Coordinator (see Application Procedure).