Employment Opportunities

Attorney: Immigrant Children’s Justice Project (ICJP)

The Center for Children’s Advocacy (CCA), is seeking a dynamic attorney for its Immigrant Children’s Justice Project (ICJP). ICJP provides life-saving legal services to immigrant children and youth in Connecticut. The Project provides legal representation, training and system reform advocacy to help immigrant children and youth who have been abused, neglected or abandoned. Click here for more information about the ICJP.

This opening is for a full-time attorney who will:

  • Provide legal consultation and representation in CT Probate and Juvenile Courts to immigrant children and youth seeking Special Immigrant Juvenile Status predicate decrees in guardianship and neglect proceedings.
  • Provide legal consultation and representation in CT Juvenile Courts to children and youth in child protection proceedings.
  • Provide training to attorneys regarding representation of immigrant children seeking Special Immigrant Juvenile Status predicate decrees in state court guardianship and neglect proceedings.
  • Provide legal rights training to immigrant youth, families, advocates and community providers.
  • Collaborate with other immigrant advocacy organizations to bring information and legal services to immigrant youth.
  • Collaborate with other CCA attorneys, outside immigrant advocacy organizations and community providers to identify systemic problems impacting immigrant youth and engage in system reform advocacy, including litigation, administrative advocacy and legislative advocacy as necessary, to address the identified problems.
  • Collaborate with CCA’s communications staff to produce legal information materials for youth and community providers.

View the full job description. To apply, email a detailed resume to employment@cca-ct.org.

 

Volunteer Opportunities

The Center is always looking for energetic volunteers to support our mission and expand the impact of our work!  Here are a few opportunities to engage directly with our work:

SIJS Pro Bono Project

CCA trains and provides guidance and technical assistance to pro bono attorneys to represent undocumented children and youth in state probate court as part of the process to secure Special Immigrant Juvenile Status. Securing SIJS allows children/youth, who have been abused, neglected, and abandoned, to remain legally in the U.S. and places them on a pathway to securing permanent legal residence and U.S. citizenship. 

Attorneys representing children and youth through CCA’s SIJS Pro Bono Project represent them in Connecticut State Probate Court to secure a guardianship decree and a predicate decree finding that the child/youth is eligible to apply to federal immigration authorities (USCIS) to obtain SIJ status. 

Attorneys interested in providing pro bono representation through CCA’s Pro Bono Project: 

  • Must be admitted to practice in CT state court
  • Participate in CCA’s training 
  • Accept a case referral to represent a child/youth in state probate court on a petition for guardianship and petition for SIJ findings 

Throughout the case representation, CCA provides close support and guidance including case strategy sessions, review of draft pleadings, and consultation for hearing preparation. 

The number of immigrant children and youth in need of legal representation is overwhelming and the need is urgent, as children have a limited time to avail themselves of this immigration relief before they turn 21 and lose the opportunity forever. Our pro bono attorneys make a lasting difference in the lives of immigrant children and youth. For more information contact Attorney Sabrina Tavi.

Volunteer Interpreter

CCA is looking for Spanish-English bilingual volunteers to support our attorneys who provide legal services to Spanish-speaking clients.  Volunteers provide translation support during client intake calls, meetings and telephone follow-up and may assist with document translation as well. For more information about Volunteer Interpreter opportunities contact Nallely Acosta. 

Birthday, Graduation, and Holiday Gift Drives

CCA works closely with our community partners through our birthday, graduation and holiday gift drives. CCA needs volunteers throughout the year, and especially during the end of year holidays, to support these gift drives to coordinate gift donation needs and requests, to liaise with community partners to secure cards and gifts, and to organize gift delivery, wrapping and distribution of the gifts.  For more information about CCA’s 2024-2025 Birthday, Graduation and Holiday Gift Drives please contact Eileen Brennan.

Internship Opportunities

CCA is accepting applications for Summer 2026 law student internships.

10 week hybrid law student internship based in Hartford or Bridgeport, CT. Interns assist with case work, research, and systemic advocacy across CCA projects, but may be based primarily in one project, including Child Welfare, Juvenile Justice, Racial Justice, LGBTQ Youth Advocacy, Education, and Medical-Legal Partnerships. Applicants should have a demonstrated interest in, or commitment to, public interest law and youth rights. Please include in your cover letter which of CCA’s projects you are most interested in.  

Please note that the Center does not have funding to pay for internships. Students must secure their own funding from their law school or another source, or be willing to volunteer their time for an internship with the Center.

Application Deadlines
For fall must be received by June 1.
For spring must be received by November 1.
For summer must be received by February 15.

Send your resume and letter of interest to employment@cca-ct.org with the subject line “CCA Internship”

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