Bryan K. Fair Fellow

Southern Poverty Law Center•Atlanta, AL

About The Position

The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) is seeking Legal Fellows committed to social justice for its Bryan K. Fair Fellowship Program. The two-year fellowship trains and develops civil rights attorneys to work in partnership with Deep South communities to achieve justice and transformational change. Fellows join the Legal Department and receive training, networking, and exposure to civil rights work led by SPLC, partner organizations, and community advocates. They rotate through the Legal Department’s six Advocacy and Litigation Impact Teams (ALITs), support existing and developing litigation and advocacy matters, and engage directly with communities served by SPLC. Fellows are based across the Deep South. Responsibilities initially emphasize research and writing, with litigation responsibilities increasing gradually over the fellowship. The tentative start date is August 2027, and the fellowship ends two years after the start date, in 2029. The position is exempt and represented by the Washington-Baltimore News Guild. The role may be performed as Local Remote, involving remote work and attendance at work-related activities at SPLC offices or in states where SPLC operates, or as Telework, involving work at an SPLC office at least three days per week and the option to work two days per week from an alternative work location. The position reports to the Deputy Director of Legal Management. Work is performed under general office conditions, without strenuous physical demands or dangerous conditions. Applications are due by 5:00 p.m. CST on November 30, 2026.

Requirements

Juris Doctor degree from an ABA-accredited law school, or completion before the start date.
Recent law school graduate, including applicants currently completing a judicial clerkship.
Strong academic background.
Commitment to working with community organizations, grassroots campaigns, and impacted communities, particularly in the Deep South, and to improving access to justice there.
Demonstrated interest and commitment to community-oriented and movement-supportive lawyering.
Commitment to non-hierarchical, client-centered advocacy and ability to address sensitive issues compassionately and empathetically.
Ability to synthesize complex legal and policy developments and provide technical assistance to communities and partner organizations.
Ability to conduct legal research and factual investigations.
Ability to draft briefs, memos, and other documents supporting litigation, advocacy, and public education, independently and as part of a team.
Ability to think creatively, remain flexible, and take calculated risks as priorities and strategies evolve.
Willingness and aptitude to work as part of a team with diverse partners and colleagues, across multiple cases and campaigns.
Exceptional written and oral communication skills, including the ability to communicate persuasively to varied audiences.
Ability to explain legal concepts effectively to diverse and multilingual audiences, including community groups, coalitions, and individuals.
Willingness and ability to communicate regularly with clients, co-counsel, and partner organizations.
Understanding of and commitment to SPLC’s mission, vision, and values.

Responsibilities

Attend professional development, training, and networking activities.
Attend ALIT, case team, RFA Committee, and check-in meetings.
Support case teams by researching legal questions, presenting research findings, reviewing discovery and investigative materials, and preparing legal research memos.
With gradually increasing responsibility, draft and edit affidavits, arguments, complaints, motions, briefs, petitions, and other documents supporting litigation and advocacy.
Help assigned teams prepare for depositions, hearings, trials, and other case events; gradually take on responsibilities to attend, observe, and participate in these events.
Work collaboratively with attorneys, legal support professionals, and other SPLC colleagues.
Gather, organize, and review information related to litigation and advocacy.
Consult, interview, and maintain communication with clients and witnesses.
Communicate regularly with co-counsel and partner organizations.
Collaborate with and provide legal support to SPLC State Offices and programmatic teams.
Actively participate in SPLC and Legal Department committees.
Represent SPLC in various forums, including before community groups.
Uphold JEDI principles by seeking diverse collaborators and partners whose work advances the shared mission, vision, values, and goals of the Center and Legal Department.
Perform other duties reasonably within the scope of the job classification.
Engage with communities served by SPLC, support community engagement initiatives, and review and respond to requests for legal assistance.