J-1 Visa In House Counsel Jobs
In House Counsel roles in the United States are accessible to international legal professionals through J-1 visa sponsorship under the Trainee or Specialist program category. Designated sponsors issue the DS-2019 and oversee your training plan, while the hiring company serves as your host organization. No lottery or annual cap applies.
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INTRODUCTION
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you're a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.
SCOPE OF WORK
Walk-in Case Management services interns will assist IRC’s walk-in team with daily activities that help to welcome and contribute to the self-sufficiency of refugees, asylees and other humanitarian immigrants in the Baltimore metropolitan area. The walk-in casework team provides need-based services to eligible clients. Interns will work directly with individual clients and families to assist with clients’ navigating walk-in services.
REPORTS TO
Walk-In Casework Supervisor or Walk-In Caseworker
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
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Learn about the services that refugees, asylees and other humanitarian immigrants are eligible for upon arrival in the U.S., including public benefits in Maryland and local resources in the Baltimore metropolitan area.
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Learn about strategies for effective, holistic case management.
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Develop resourcefulness and problem-solving skills to work independently in different situational contexts.
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Learn to communicate effectively in a global context.
Responsibilities
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Under the direction of the intern’s supervisor, intern will assist clients remotely or in-person with key services such as activating EBT cards for food stamps, applying for Social Security cards, or obtaining Maryland ID cards.
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Assist clients to coordinate transportation to medical and other required appointments.
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In coordination with the walk-in team, conduct remote, office, home or community-based orientation sessions on topics such as opening bank accounts, using EBT cards at grocery stores, or using public transportation throughout Baltimore.
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Assist with service documentation through case-notes and case file maintenance.
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Other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS
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Prior experience and interest working with refugees and immigrants preferred.
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Prior experience and interest in case management or social work preferred.
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Ability to work independently and as a team member in a fast-paced and global environment.
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Flexible and reliable, with outstanding attention to detail.
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Strong problem-solving skills.
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Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
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Proficient in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook) and web-based applications (databases, Box).
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Fluency in English required. Bilingual ability in one of the predominant languages of the local client base is desired. Valid driver’s license, reliable access to a vehicle with current insurance and the ability to travel regularly throughout Baltimore preferred.
POSITION DETAILS
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IN-PERSON: Summer 2026 internships will be hybrid. This includes a combination of standard office environment, remote work, and field time within the greater Baltimore area.
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DATES: Internships start with a required orientation on Monday, June 8th (approx. 9:30 AM – 3 PM). Regular weekly hours start the week of June 8th, 2026, and will continue through September 11th, 2026 (14 total weeks).
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HOURS: Internships require a minimum of 15 hours per week for 14 weeks. Interns should be able to come to the office at least 3 days per week.
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LAPTOP: Interns will be issued an IRC laptop for the duration of the internship to perform both remote and in-office responsibilities.
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REIMBURSEMENT: Internships with the IRC in Baltimore are unpaid. University credit may be arranged. Summer 2026 interns are eligible for per diem reimbursement at the rate of $15 per day (defined as 7.5 hours) to offset the costs of food and travel of the internship. Interns may also be reimbursed for mileage driven for any approved activities (based on round-trip mileage from the IRC office).
APPLICATION PROCESS
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DUE DATE: apply online at careers.rescue.org by 11:59 PM ET on Sunday, May 24th.
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INTERVIEWS: Applicants selected for interviews will be contacted to schedule interviews beginning May 2026. Due to the volume of applications, only applicants who are selected for interviews will be contacted. Interviews will be conducted approximately May 4th through May 20th, 2026.
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OFFERS: Applicants who have interviewed for positions can expect to receive a decision no later than May 25th, 2026. Confirmations will be due at the latest by May 27th, 2026.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.
This is an unpaid position and is not eligible for benefits.
PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS
All International Rescue Committee workers must adhere to the core values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. Our Standards are Integrity, Service, Equality and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Safeguarding, Conflicts of Interest, Fiscal Integrity, and Reporting Wrongdoing and Protection from Retaliation. IRC is committed to take all necessary preventive measures and create an environment where people feel safe, and to take all necessary actions and corrective measures when harm occurs. IRC builds teams of professionals who promote critical reflection, power sharing, debate, and objectivity to deliver the best possible services to our clients.
US Benefits: We offer a comprehensive and highly competitive set of benefits. In the US, these include: 10 sick days, 10 US holidays, 20-25 paid time off days depending on role and tenure, medical insurance starting at $163 per month, dental starting at $6.50 per month, and vision starting at $5 per month, FSA for healthcare and commuter costs, a 403b retirement savings plans with immediately vested matching, disability & life insurance, and an Employee Assistance Program which is available to our staff and their families to support counseling and care in times of crisis and mental health struggles.
Equal Opportunity Employer: IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding J-1 Visa Sponsorship in In House Counsel
Verify your bar admission and equivalency
U.S. host employers often require foreign-qualified lawyers to document their home-country bar admission and degree equivalency before finalizing a training plan. Have certified translations and credential evaluations ready before outreach begins.
Target companies with established legal departments
In-house legal teams at mid-size to large corporations are far more equipped to structure a formal J-1 visa training plan than solo practitioners or boutique firms. Prioritize publicly traded companies, multinationals, and regulated industries like finance, pharma, and technology.
Search J-1-aligned roles on Migrate Mate
Use Migrate Mate to filter for In House Counsel and legal affairs roles at U.S. employers open to international candidates. Narrowing your search by industry and company size helps you identify hosts likely to support a Trainee or Specialist training plan.
Build a training plan before the offer stage
Your designated sponsor requires a detailed Training or Internship Placement Plan before issuing a DS-2019. Draft a 12- to 18-month learning objective outline covering substantive legal areas, mentorship structure, and measurable milestones so you and the host employer can align quickly after an offer.
Clarify the two-year home residency requirement early
The J-1 Trainee and Specialist categories may trigger a two-year home-country physical presence requirement, particularly if your program is government-funded or your home country is on the Exchange Visitor Skills List. Confirm your status with your designated sponsor before accepting any offer.
Understand the 18-month Trainee program ceiling
The J-1 Trainee category caps participation at 18 months for most legal and business fields. If your training plan requires a longer engagement, you and the host employer must structure the role within that window or explore whether the Specialist category better fits the scope of work.
In House Counsel J-1 Visa: Frequently Asked Questions
Which J-1 program category fits an In House Counsel role?
Most In House Counsel participants enter under the Trainee or Specialist category. Trainee applies if you've completed your law degree within the past 12 months or have at least one year of relevant post-degree experience abroad. Specialist applies to established legal professionals with significant expertise in a narrow field. Your designated sponsor makes the final category determination based on your background and the host employer's training plan.
Who actually sponsors the J-1 visa for an In House Counsel position?
The J-1 visa sponsor is a U.S. Department of State-designated organization, not the hiring company. Organizations like Cultural Vistas or AIPT issue the DS-2019, approve the training plan, and maintain compliance oversight throughout your stay. The corporation that hires you is the host employer, not the visa sponsor. This distinction matters when negotiating your offer because the host must agree to the sponsor's program terms.
How do I find U.S. employers open to hosting J-1 legal professionals?
Migrate Mate lets you search for In House Counsel and legal affairs roles at U.S. companies that are open to international candidates, which is the most direct way to identify potential host employers. Many corporate legal departments, especially at multinational firms in finance, healthcare, and technology, have prior experience hosting J-1 Trainees and can navigate the training plan process more efficiently than first-time hosts.
Can I practice law as a J-1 Trainee in the United States?
No. The J-1 Trainee program is structured as observational and educational training, not independent legal practice. You cannot represent clients, appear in court, or perform work that requires a U.S. bar license. Permissible activities include legal research, contract review, compliance monitoring, and participation in internal legal operations under direct attorney supervision. The host employer's training plan must reflect this boundary explicitly.
Does the two-year home residency requirement affect In House Counsel J-1 participants?
It can. The two-year home-country physical presence requirement under INA section 212(e) applies to J-1 participants whose programs are government-financed or whose home country appears on the Exchange Visitor Skills List published by the State Department. If triggered, you must return to your home country for two years before changing to most other nonimmigrant visa categories or applying for a green card. Ask your designated sponsor to confirm your exposure before signing any training agreement.