Bryan K. Fair Fellow

Southern Poverty Law Center•Atlanta, GA

10d•$81,197

About The Position

The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) seeks legal fellows committed to social justice for its Bryan K. Fair Fellowship Program. The program trains and develops civil rights attorneys who understand the culture and experiences of Deep South communities and are prepared to work in partnership with those communities to achieve justice and transformational change. Fair Fellows join SPLC’s Legal Department for a two-year term, with training and networking opportunities that expose them to civil rights work led by SPLC, partner organizations, and community advocates. Fellows explore civil rights law careers and develop the skills to advocate effectively in the public interest and become leaders in civil rights litigation. Fellows are based across the Deep South and rotate through the Legal Department’s six Advocacy and Litigation Impact Teams: Criminal Legal System Reform; Democracy: Education and Youth; Democracy: Voting Rights; Economic Justice; Immigrant Justice; and Inclusion and Anti-Extremism. They support existing and developing litigation and advocacy matters, initially emphasizing research and writing, with litigation responsibilities increasing over the fellowship. Fellows also work directly with the communities SPLC serves, in partnership with State Offices, the Policy Department, and programmatic teams. They provide legal support for community engagement initiatives and review and respond to requests for legal assistance. The tentative start date is August 2027, and the two-year fellowship is expected to end in 2029. The role is exempt and has a minimum starting salary of $81,197 annually, with salary commensurate with experience. Work designations may be Local Remote, involving remote work and attendance at work-related activities at SPLC offices or in states where SPLC operates, or Telework, involving at least three days per week at an SPLC office and up to two days per week at an alternative work location. The position reports to the Deputy Director of Legal Management. It is represented by the Washington-Baltimore News Guild and is performed under general office conditions without strenuous physical demands or dangerous conditions. Applications are due by 5:00 p.m. CST on Monday, November 30, 2026.

Requirements

Juris Doctor degree from an ABA-accredited law school, or completion before the fellowship 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.
Ability to use a non-hierarchical, client-centered approach and handle 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, memoranda, and other documents supporting litigation, advocacy, and public education, both independently and as part of a team.
Ability to think creatively, remain flexible, take calculated risks, and develop and execute strategies as priorities change.
Aptitude and willingness to work collaboratively with diverse partners and team members across multiple cases and campaigns.
Exceptional written and oral communication skills, including the ability to communicate persuasively to varied audiences and explain legal concepts effectively to diverse and multilingual audiences.
Ability and willingness 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 meetings, case team meetings, RFA Committee meetings, and check-in meetings.
Research legal questions, present research findings, review discovery and investigative materials, and prepare legal research memoranda for case teams.
With gradually increasing responsibility, draft and edit affidavits, arguments, complaints, motions, briefs, petitions, and other litigation and advocacy documents.
Support assigned teams in preparing for depositions, hearings, trials, and other case events; with increasing responsibility, 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 contributions support the Center’s and Legal Department’s shared mission, vision, values, and goals.
Perform other duties reasonably within the scope of the job classification as required or assigned.
Provide legal support for community engagement initiatives and review and respond to requests for legal assistance.