Name of Professor: Katherine Wilhelm, U.S.-Asia Law Institute
Location of Office and Phone Number: Wilf 508, 212-992-8124
Name of Professor’s Staff Assistant: Stephany Ramos
Nature of Research: The U.S.-Asia Law Institute (USALI) is offering a full-time fellowship
opportunity in the summer of 2025. We will support one currently enrolled NYU Law student (a rising 2L or rising 3L) to work for 10 weeks with the Asian American Scholar Forum, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, to advance and protect the rights of Asian Americans and immigrants through policy and legal analysis and research at the intersections of national security, civil rights, and racial justice.
The student will have the status of a Research Assistant and will work under the joint supervision of USALI Executive Director Katherine Wilhelm and Asian American Scholar Forum Executive Director Gisela Perez Kusakawa, an experienced civil rights lawyer.
Possible assignments may include:
- Conduct research on proposed legislation to determine areas with potential for negative impact on Asian Americans and immigrants, and offer recommendations on the prevention of racial bias and profiling in national security policies.
- Conduct research on immigration and racial justice issues faced by Chinese students such as denial of entry.
- Advocate with legislators and executive branch officials to protect and advance the rights of Asian Americans and immigrants, particularly in the areas of profiling, hate, surveillance, and racial bias.
- Prepare case summaries and memos, and track case developments.
- Draft community education materials, coordinate meetings, and conduct outreach.
- Assist in organizing a conference to explore the tensions between national security and civil rights.
Can work be done remotely? Yes. The student fellow has the option of working remotely or spending the summer working in person with the AASF team in DC.
Qualifications (be specific regarding class level: 1L, 2L, 3L or LL.M.): rising 2L or rising 3L.
- Passion for Asian American civil rights
- Interest in the intersection of laws involving immigration, civil rights, national security, and technology
- Detail-oriented and able to meet deadlines
- Excellent research, writing, and analytical skills
Approximate Dates of Employment: minimum 10 weeks during the May-early August period; exact dates can be agreed. If desired, the fellow may opt to work an additional week for a total period of 11 weeks.
Approximate Number of Hours/Week: full time/35 hours per week. Hours must be logged into NYU PeopleSync.
Materials to Submit for Application: Resume, unofficial law school transcript, and cover letter that sets out reasons for interest and highlights any relevant past research or familiarity with the subject matter. Send via email to Stephany Ramos at stephany.ramos@nyu.edu.
Deadline for application: February 15, 2025
The U.S.-Asia Law Institute (USALI) is one of America’s preeminent teaching and research centers focused on law in East Asia. It serves as a bridge between Asia and the United States, fostering mutual understanding on legal issues and using constructive engagement with our partners to promote rule of law and human rights. The Institute is funded by grants and gifts to conduct legal exchange programs, hold conferences and speaker programs, publish research and analysis, and teach courses about law in Asia.
The Asian American Scholar Forum (AASF) is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that promotes academic belonging, openness, freedom, and equality for all. AASF was founded in response to heightened anti-Asian sentiments in the U.S. and increasing profiling and racial bias of Asian Americans and immigrants. We are a leading national voice fighting for the rights of the Asian American and immigrant scientific and academic community. We represent the individuals, families, and communities most directly affected by the profiling of Asian American scientists, researchers, and scholars and unjust prosecutions conducted before and under the now defunct Department of Justice’s China Initiative.