Intern, Legal (2L) (Summer 2027)

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 2L students only. 1Ls opportunities will be posted separately.

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. Demonstrates an understanding of and a commitment to SPLC’s mission, vision and values.

What You'll Do

Work on cutting-edge legal issues within one of our six Advocacy and Litigation Impact Teams (ALIT): 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 syst