Job Description

The SPLC is seeking highly motivated legal interns who are passionate about civil rights!

The Southern Poverty Law Center offers summer internships to exceptional first- and second-year law students who possess strong academic backgrounds, excellent writing skills, and a commitment to public interest work. The Center is a catalyst for racial justice in the South and beyond, working in partnership with communities to dismantle white supremacy, strengthen intersectional movements, and advance the human rights of all people. As an internationally recognized nonprofit organization, the Center is dedicated to reducing bigotry and oppression through outreach, education, and litigation.

Who You Are

Passionate. Demonstrated passion for advancing civil rights work, social justice issues and interest in supporting our work.

Advocate. Desire to work in partnership with communities to dismantle white supremacy, strengthen intersectional movements, and advance the human rights of all people.

Driven. Ability to help our attorneys bring litigation and implement community-focused strategies to influence positive change in the lives of children, workers, people impacted by hate and extremism, detained and incarcerated people, and those experiencing or facing economic hardship.

Mission, Vision & Culture Alignment. Demonstrate an awareness for SPLC's mission and vision; a commitment to the ideals of justice, equity, diversity and inclusion; and a dedication to fostering an anti-racist work culture and to anti-racist principles and learning.

What You'll Do

Work on cutting-edge legal issues within one of our Advocacy and Litigation Impact Teams: Economic Justice; Criminal Legal System Reform; Democracy: Education and Youth; Democracy: Voting Rights; and Inclusion and Anti-Extremism.

Participate in professional development and networking opportunities throughout the summer.

Uphold our JEDI principles by helping to ensure we uplift the voices of underserved communities while working with them to provide resources to those in need.

Assist our attorneys with litigation and help to implement community-focused strategies to influence positive change in the lives of children, workers, people impacted by hate and extremism, detained and incarcerated people, and those experiencing or facing economic hardship.

Minimum Qualifications 

We are committed to equitable hiring practices; therefore you must meet the minimum qualifications to be considered for the role.

• Currently enrolled in a law school as a first- or second-year law student; 
• Strong academic background; and
• Excellent writing skills.

Compensation & Benefits

The Center pays $17.50 per hour. Interns are expected to work 40 hours a week and there may be opportunity for supervisor-approved overtime.

Where & How You'll Work 

This role has the following work-designation options:

• Local Remote: Will work remotely, but is expected to attend work-related activities that occur at the SPLC offices or in the states in which the SPLC operates.
• Telework: Will work at an SPLC office at least three days per week and may work two days per week from an alternative work location. 

Other Special Considerations 

This job is performed under general office conditions and is not subject to any strenuous physical demands or dangerous conditions.

Due to the high volume of applications received, we are unable to respond to inquiries by telephone.

Interns are expected to begin in early June 2025. A minimum commitment of ten consecutive weeks is expected. We unfortunately are not able to split summers.

Please note that, as Legal Department team members are based throughout the Deep South, interns and team members typically collaborate on projects remotely.

To apply, please submit a cover letter, resume, and an unofficial law school transcript by 5:00 PM CST on Monday, September 30, 2024. Students should indicate their location and Advocacy and Litigation Impact Team preferences in their cover letter.

Disclaimer:

The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the employee in this position. These statements are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of a person in this position.

An Equal-Opportunity Employer with a Commitment to Diversity

Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and as an organization committed to diversity and the perspective of all voices, we consider applicants equally without regard to age, caregiver status, color, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, gender identity, marital status, national origin, on the basis of genetic information, political affiliation, pregnancy, or veteran status.

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