Southern Environmental Law Center
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.
About the Southern Environmental Law Center
The Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC) 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 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 in an equitable and 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 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
Primary Responsibilities
SELC’s summer legal internship program provides second-year law students with a unique opportunity to join a highly successful, nationally recognized organization that is effectively addressing some of the most pressing and challenging environmental issues throughout the South and the nation. Legal interns will 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.
Interns will 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/or depositions.
- Engaging in environmental policy discussions with government officials and community groups.
Interns also attend internal legal team meetings, specialized weekly training sessions, and group outings such as hikes or canoe trips. For more information on SELC’s docket and priorities, visit our website.
To apply for this job please visit www.selc.org.