- Pay
- $81k
- Where
- Atlanta, GA · Jackson, MS · Montgomery, AL · New Orleans, LA
- Level
- Mid
The SPLC is seeking Legal Fellows who are committed to social justice!
The mission of SPLC’s Bryan K. Fair Fellowship Program is to train and develop the next generation of civil rights attorneys, steeped in the culture and experiences of our Deep South communities, and committed and prepared to work in partnership with these communities to achieve justice and transformational change.
Fair Fellows will join SPLC’s Legal Department for a term of two years. Through plentiful and diverse training and networking offerings, Fair Fellows will be exposed to civil rights work led by SPLC, our partner organizations, and community advocates, and will explore career opportunities in civil rights law. At the completion of the Program, Fair Fellows will be prepared to effectively advocate in the public interest and become leaders in the field of civil rights litigation.
Fair Fellows will be based across the Deep South, and will have the unique opportunity to complete rotations with each of the Legal Department’s six Advocacy and Litigation Impact Teams (ALITs): (1) the Criminal Legal System Reform ALIT; (2) the Democracy: Education and Youth ALIT; (3) the Democracy: Voting Rights ALIT; (4) the Economic Justice ALIT; (5) the Immigrant Justice ALIT; and (6) the Inclusion and Anti-Extremism ALIT. Fair Fellows will be assigned to existing and developing litigation and advocacy matters, providing support to case teams with an initial emphasis on research and writing. Litigation responsibilities will gradually increase over the course of the Fellowship.
In addition, Fair Fellows will engage directly with the communities SPLC serves, working in partnership with SPLC’s State Offices, Policy Department, and programmatic teams. Fair Fellows will provide legal support for community engagement initiatives, and will review and respond to requests for legal assistance (RFAs).
The tentative start date for this fellowship is August 2027. This is a 2-year fellowship that will end in 2029.
Who You Are
Advocate. Commitment to working with community organizations, grassroots campaigns, and impacted communities, particularly in the Deep South, and improving access to justice in the Deep South.
Committed. Demonstrated interest and commitment to community-oriented and movement-supportive lawyering. Dedicated to a non-hierarchical, client-centered approach to advocacy and ability to work on sensitive issues in a compassionate and empathetic manner.
Analytical. Ability to synthesize complex legal and policy developments, and provide technical assistance to communities and partner organizations.
Researcher. Ability to conduct legal research and factual investigations.
Writer. Ability to draft briefs, memos, and other documents in support of litigation, advocacy, and public education with a team and independently.
Creative. Ability to think creatively, be flexible, and take calculated risks around changing priorities and in crafting and executing strategies to move litigation and campaigns forward.
Collaborative. Aptitude for and willingness to be a team player, including with diverse partners and team members. Ability to work with other Advocacy Litigation & Impact Teams (ALITs), external organizations, and stakeholders on multiple cases and campaigns at once.
Communicative. Exceptional communication skills and ability to communicate persuasively to a variety of audiences through writing and speaking. Ability to communicate legal concepts effectively to diverse and multi-lingual audiences, including community groups, coalitions, and individuals. Able and willing to communicate regularly with clients, co-counsel, and partner organizations.
Mission, Vision & Culture Alignment. Demonstrates an understanding of and a commitment to SPLC's mission, vision and values.
What You'll Do
Attend professional development, training, and networking activities.
Attend ALIT meetings, case team meetings, RFA Committee meetings, and check-in meetings.
Provide support to case teams by…