About the role#
The Bryan K. Fair Fellowship Program trains the next generation of civil rights attorneys. Fellows spend two years working within the Southern Poverty Law Center Legal Department. You will rotate through six Advocacy and Litigation Impact Teams to gain experience in civil rights work. The program focuses on building skills in litigation, community partnership, and advocacy. Fellows work across the Deep South to support justice and transformational change.
What you'll do#
- Support case teams by researching legal questions and presenting findings.
- Review discovery and investigative materials while preparing legal research memos.
- Draft and edit affidavits, complaints, motions, briefs, and other legal documents.
- Assist with preparations for depositions, hearings, and trials.
- Participate in depositions, hearings, and trials as your responsibilities grow.
- Consult and maintain communication with clients and witnesses.
- Collaborate with attorneys, SPLC State Offices, and partner organizations.
- Attend professional development, training, and networking activities.
- Represent the organization before community groups and other forums.
- Participate in SPLC and Legal Department committees.
What you'll need#
- Juris Doctorate Degree from an ABA-accredited law school or completion prior to the start date.
- Recent law school graduate status.
- Strong academic background.
- Commitment to community-oriented and movement-supportive lawyering.
- Ability to work with grassroots campaigns and community organizations.
- Dedication to a client-centered approach to advocacy.
- Skill in synthesizing complex legal and policy developments.
- Ability to conduct factual investigations and legal research.
- Exceptional communication skills for diverse and multi-lingual audiences.
- Willingness to work as a team player and think creatively.
Location & details#
- Locations: Atlanta, GA; Jackson, MS; Montgomery, AL; New Orleans, LA.
- Term: Two-year fellowship starting in August 2027.
- Work Modality: Remote, on-site, or hybrid options available.
- Employment Status: Full-time and paid position.
- Representation: This position is represented by the Washington-Baltimore News Guild.
About Southern Poverty Law Center
The Southern Poverty Law Center is a nonprofit organization founded in 1971. It focuses on racial justice, voting rights, and criminal justice reform. The group maintains offices in seven locations including Montgomery, Atlanta, and Washington DC. It employs approximately 381 people to support its legal and advocacy efforts.
How to get in at Southern Poverty Law Center
Applying early to the Southern Poverty Law Center provides a distinct advantage because recruiters review applications before the volume of candidates becomes unmanageable. Intern Insider sends an instant alert the moment a role matching your target is published anywhere, so you apply among the first. This helps you get your materials in front of the team before the pile grows. You can also improve your chances by reaching out to the right people. Intern Insider surfaces the recruiters behind the company roles so you can contact them directly to ask about the position or a referral. This direct approach often leads to better response rates than submitting through a standard portal.
