2L Summer Legal Intern

Southern Environmental Law Center; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 8,100 - 9,900; Full time

Job summary

The Southern Environmental Law Center is now accepting applications for 2L Summer Legal Interns, a paid opportunity for second-year law students for the summer of 2027. Applications are due by October 14, 2026.

SELC offers a hybrid work model across multiple offices, a 10-week program beginning June 1, 2027, and a total summer compensation of $9,000. Interns will engage in litigation support, research, and environmental policy discussions with government and community groups.

Qualifications

• Second-year J.D. student in good standing at an ABA-accredited law school.
• Strong academic record, demonstrated through law school and/or other postgraduate coursework.
• Excellent legal research and writing skills.
• Interest in environmental law. Commitment to a career in public interest is a plus.
• Ability to manage multiple assignments, communicate effectively with colleagues, and incorporate feedback.
• A genuine interest in and commitment to helping SELC create and foster an equitable and inclusive workplace that reflects the rich racial and cultural diversity of our region.

Responsibilities

• Research and writing related to litigation and other forms of environmental advocacy. Depending on the focus area, interns may conduct research on federal and state environmental statutes and regulations, as well as procedural and evidentiary issues.
• Participating in hearings, strategy sessions, client meetings, site visits, and/or depositions.
• Engaging in environmental policy discussions with government officials and community groups.

Skills

Legal research

Legal writing

Communication

Teamwork

Education

Second-year J.D. student

Job description

The Southern Environmental Law Centeris now accepting applications for2L Summer Legal Interns, a paid opportunity forsecond-yearlawstudentsfor the summer of 2027.Applications are due byOctober 14,2026.

About the Southern Environmental Law Center

The Southern Environmental Law Center is one of the nation’s most powerful defenders of the environment, rooted in the South. With a longtrack 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 250, including more than 160 legal and policy experts and advocates. Headquartered in Charlottesville, VA, SELC has 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 inan equitableand inclusive workplace that welcomes people from across the rich racial and cultural diversity of our region and values diverse perspectives. We approach our work with the highest level of integrity, holding ourselves tohigh standardswith 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 atwww.selc.org .

Primary Responsibilities

SELC’ssummerlegal internship programprovidessecond-year law students with a unique opportunity to joina highly successful, nationally recognized organization that is effectively addressing some of the most pressing and challenging environmental issues throughout the South and the nation.Legalinternswill address critical environmental challenges such as climate change, environmental justice, clean energy, healthy air, transportation and land use, clean water, wetlands and coasts, and forest protection.

Internswill engage in a variety of projects,such as:

• Research and writing related to litigation and other forms of environmental advocacy. Depending on the focus area, interns may conduct research on federal and state environmental statutes and regulations, as well as procedural and evidentiary issues.
• Participating in hearings, strategy sessions, client meetings, site visits, and/ordepositions.
• Engaging in environmental policy discussions with government officials and community groups.

Interns also attend internal legal team meetings, specializedweeklytraining sessions, and group outings such as hikes or canoe trips. For more information on SELC’s docket and priorities, visitourwebsite .

Logistics

• Locations:Asheville, NC; Atlanta, GA; Birmingham, AL; Chapel Hill, NC; Charleston, SC; Charlottesville, VA; Nashville, TN; and Washington, DC.
• Work Model:SELC offers a hybrid work model, requiring a minimum of three days per week in the office, withadditionaldays asneeded to support program needs.
• Duration:10 weeks (40hoursper week), beginningJune 1, 2027.
• Compensation:$9,000 for the summer($900 per week for 10 weeks). SELC does not reduce this amount foradditionalfunding received by internsfrom other sources.Interns based in our Washington, DC office are also eligible for a cost-of-living supplement.

Qualifications

We value the diverse paths and backgrounds that lead applicants to pursue this position, and we expect candidates to offer avarietyof the following attributes and experiences:

• Second-yearJ.D.student in good standing at an ABA-accredited law school.
• Strong academic record,demonstratedthroughlaw schooland/or other postgraduate coursework.
• Excellent legal research and writing skills.
• Interestin environmentallaw.Commitment toacareer inpublicinterest is a plus.
• Ability to manage multiple assignments, communicate effectively with colleagues, and incorporate feedback.
• A genuine interest in and commitment to helping SELC create and fosteran equitableand inclusive workplace that reflects the rich racial and cultural diversity of our region.

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.Qualified individuals of all backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply.