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, immigrants, workers, people impacted by hate and extremism, incarcerated people, and those experiencing 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; Decarceration and Decriminalization; Democracy; and Human Rights, 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, immigrants, workers, people impacted by hate and extremism, incarcerated people, and those experiencing 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 $16.10 per hour. Interns are expected to work 40 hours a week and there may be opportunity for supervisor-approved overtime.

• Washington, D.C. interns will receive $17.00 per hour.

Where and How You'll Work

This role has the following work-designation options:

• 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.
• 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.

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 2024. A minimum commitment of ten consecutive weeks is expected. Unfortunately, we are not able to split summers.

To apply, please submit a cover letter, resume, and unofficial transcript by 5:00pm CST on Tuesday, September 6, 2023. Students should indicate their location and program area preferences in their cover letter.