Intern, 2026 Summer Legal (1L)
About The Position
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. Note: This posting is for 1L students only. 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 five Advocacy and Litigation Impact Teams: Economic Justice. Through litigation, the EJ team reclaims land and wealth unjustly taken from Black and Brown communities in the Deep South, and defends the rights of people experiencing homelessness to be sheltered, safe and housed. Criminal Legal System Reform. In courts, the CLSR team challenges unconstitutional laws and practices that reinforce racial inequities in the justice system, and seeks to end inhumane prison conditions and mass incarceration across the Deep South. Democracy: Education and Youth. Through litigation and advocacy, the DEY team challenges the school-to-prison pipeline, which traps young people in a cycle of institutionalization, and opposes censorship and exclusionary policies in schools. Democracy: Voting Rights. Through litigation, the DVR team pushes back against racial gerrymandering; challenges discriminatory tactics to disenfranchise voters; and advocates for Black and Brown communities to fully exercise their rights at the ballot box. Inclusion and Anti-Extremism. Using federal, state and local laws, the IAE team brings lawsuits against hate and extremist groups to cripple their operations, and challenges exclusionary policies aimed at marginalized communities. Participate in professional development and networking opportunities throughout the summer. 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.
Requirements
- Currently enrolled in a law school as a first-year law student
- Strong academic background
- Excellent writing skills
Responsibilities
- Work on cutting-edge legal issues within one of our five Advocacy and Litigation Impact Teams
- Participate in professional development and networking opportunities throughout the summer.
- 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.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Intern
Education Level
No Education Listed
Number of Employees
251-500 employees
