Glynn D. Key Fellowship program

SELC has created a special fellowship program for law students and practicing attorneys who have a strong interest in or a demonstrated commitment to working to advance environmental justice. Our Glynn D. Key Fellowship program includes an associate attorney fellowship and a summer intern fellowship.  More information on both positions—and the dear SELC friend and former Trustee in whose honor these fellowships were created—is available below. 

If you have questions or for more information about our Fellowship and environmental justice opportunities, please reach out to [email protected].

Glynn D. Key Associate Attorney Fellowship

The Glynn D. Key Associate Attorney Fellowship is an entry-level position open to recent law graduates, attorneys completing clerkships, and practicing attorneys. The Associate Fellowship is part of our Associate Attorney program and is intended for applicants with a strong interest in or a demonstrated commitment to advancing environmental justice. Fellows will be provided the opportunity to work on at least one project with an environmental justice component.

SELC will typically hire for the Fellowship annually during our regular Associate Attorney hiring cycle from approximately August through October. The number of openings varies each year, and the Fellowships can typically be based in any SELC office. Core qualifications and experienced sought for the Fellowship include: a strong academic background, personal commitment to SELC’s mission, exceptional legal research, analysis, & writing skills, excellent communication & interpersonal skills, effective collaboration skills, demonstrated commitment to working with communities of color and other vulnerable communities, and a genuine interest in and commitment to helping SELC foster a more diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace.

Glynn D. Key Summer Intern Fellowship

The Glynn D. Key Summer Fellowship at SELC is offered to 1L law students, particularly students with a strong interest in or a demonstrated commitment to advancing environmental justice. The Summer Intern Fellowship is hired for annually between December – March, with the application anticipated to be opened at the beginning of December.

Fellows will be provided the opportunity to work on at least one distinct project with an environmental justice component.  In addition to working on at least one environmental justice issue, fellows can expect to do research and writing on litigation or other environmental advocacy in a substantive area. Depending on the project area, research may include federal and state environmental statutes and regulations, and procedural and evidentiary issues. In addition to research and writing, fellows will also participate in strategy sessions, document review, client meetings, site visits, and other aspects of case or project management.  Fellows may also observe depositions, hearings, meetings on environmental policy with government officials and leaders of other environmental groups. Core qualifications and experienced sought for the Fellowship include: interest in/commitment to advancing environmental justice (or the intersection of environmental law and racial justice), interest in an environmental and/or non-profit career, community service/engagement work, strong research and writing skills, and genuine interest in and commitment to helping SELC foster a more diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace.

About Glynn D. Key

Glynn D. Key (1964-2014) was a widely admired and respected lawyer who broke through many racial and gender barriers in her life and career.  A native of Chattanooga, Tennessee, she attended the University of Virginia as a Jefferson Scholar, and served as the first African-American chair of the Honor Committee, as well as president of the Student Council.  She also received her law degree from UVA, and began her legal career as an associate at Covington & Burling in Washington, DC.

From 1993 to 1996 she served in the first Clinton administration in the Department of the Interior as Special Assistant and Counsel to Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt.  At Interior, she was the lead negotiator of the $700 million groundbreaking Everglades restoration settlement among environmentalists, local Indian tribes, the farming industry, and the federal and state governments. Glynn then joined the Washington DC firm of Wilmer Hale where she was a partner in the corporate department practicing general corporate and environmental law.  Glynn later became general counsel for General Electric in its Coal Gasification and Water & Process Technologies Division, where she served until her sudden death at the tragically young age of 50.   Despite the demands of a successful professional career, Glynn generously shared her time and expertise in her communities, serving on many boards and councils including her alma mater’s Board of Visitors and Alumni Association (President).  

SELC was fortunate to have Glynn serve on our Board of Trustees from 2000 to 2009. 

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If you have questions or for more information about our Fellowship and environmental justice opportunities, please reach out to [email protected].