Legal Intern – Summer 2025

The Southern Environmental Law Center is currently accepting applications for Summer 2025 Legal Internships in the following offices: 

  • Asheville, NC 
  • Atlanta, GA 
  • Birmingham, AL 
  • Chapel Hill, NC 
  • Charleston, SC  
  • Charlottesville, VA 
  • Nashville, TN 

This position is intended for second-year law students, and it provides the opportunity to be an integral part of a team working on a full range of issues of particular importance to the South – clean air, clean and adequate water, energy, forests, coasts and communities. It is a 10-week position.   

SELC currently has a hybrid work model that offers employees the flexibility to work at home up to two days per week. The hybrid work policy for Summer Interns will be determined by the individual SELC offices. All interns and employees must reside in our region.    

Responsibilities & Expectations:  

SELC legal interns work on a wide range of important issues. Under the supervision of Staff and Senior Attorneys, interns have opportunities to:  

  • Conduct 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.  
  • Participate in strategy sessions, document review, client meetings, site visits, and other aspects of case or project management.    
  • Observe depositions, hearings, meetings on environmental policy with government officials and leaders of other environmental groups. 
  • Participate in periodic seminars or lunch-and-learn sessions to learn more about a wide range of environmental issues and projects. 
  • Join other special events and outings, including a summer hike or canoe trip.  

Qualifications:  

  • Interest in a career in environmental law or public interest work.  
  • Community service.   
  • Academic achievement.  
  • Strong work ethic and sense of initiative.   
  • A genuine interest in and commitment to helping SELC foster a more diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace.  
  • Commitment to working with communities of color and other vulnerable communities. 

Eligibility:  

  • Second-year law student in good standing. 
  • Strong undergraduate and law school record.   
  • Possessing strong research and writing skills.  

About SELC:  

The Southern Environmental Law Center is one of the nation’s most powerful defenders of the environment, rooted in the South. With a long track record, SELC takes on the toughest environmental challenges in court, in government, and in our communities to protect our region’s air, water, climate, wildlife, lands, and people. Nonprofit and nonpartisan, the organization has a staff of over 200, including more than 130 legal and policy experts, and is headquartered in Charlottesville, VA, with offices in Asheville, Atlanta, Birmingham, Chapel Hill, Charleston, Nashville, Richmond, and Washington, DC. 

At our core, we are place-based, rooted in our region, and connected with the communities and clients we serve. We believe in an equitable and inclusive workplace that reflects the rich racial and cultural diversity of our region and allows diverse perspectives to come to the forefront. We approach our work with the highest level of integrity, holding ourselves to high standards with an emphasis on honesty, accountability, and thoughtfulness. We value collaboration and camaraderie, realizing we are strongest when we work together and knowing that everyone has a critical role to play. We strive for impact through a strategic, bold, pragmatic, and ambitious outlook that is dedicated to achieving powerful results. We believe in these values and in the power of SELC. We hope you consider joining us. Learn more at https://www.southernenvironment.org/.  

Compensation:  

Legal interns receive $900 per week from SELC for the 10-week summer internship.

To Apply:  

To apply, click on the ‘Apply Now’ button below to be directed to an online application where you may upload your application materials. Applicants must submit a cover letter, resume, writing sample, law school transcript or grade report (with date of birth and social security number redacted), and three references. 

We encourage interested applicants to apply as soon as possible, as we evaluate and hire on a rolling basis until all positions are filled. The deadline for applications is September 22, 2024.  

APPLY NOW

SELC is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to fostering an inclusive workplace environment. We are eager to welcome new team members who share this commitment. We still have much progress to make, but our goal is to create and maintain a staff that, at every level, reflects the rich racial and cultural diversity of the communities where we work and the clients that we serve. Persons of all backgrounds—including people of color, women, people with disabilities, veterans, and LGBTQ candidates—are strongly encouraged to apply.