Associate Attorney

The Southern Environmental Law Center is now accepting applications for Associate Attorney positions, including the Glynn D. Key Associate Attorney Fellowship, for start dates in early fall 2026. These are entry-level positions open to recent law school graduates, attorneys completing clerkships, and practicing attorneys. Applications are due by September 15, 2025.

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 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 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/.

Associate Attorneys

All Associate Attorneys, including Glynn D. Key Associate Attorneys, play a critical role in advancing SELC’s program objectives through litigation and legal advocacy. Working closely with experienced attorneys, they gain valuable experience in state and federal courts and before regulatory agencies. Associates are entrusted with substantial responsibility, expected to take ownership of their projects, and contribute to the success of their office and program. Associates work under the supervision of Staff and Senior Attorneys, embracing SELC’s collaborative work environment and supporting colleagues across positions and departments.

Glynn D. Key Associate Attorney Fellowship

The Glynn D. Key Associate Attorney Fellowship is part of SELC’s Associate Attorney program and is designed for applicants with a strong interest in or demonstrated commitment to advancing environmental justice. At SELC, we define environmental justice as working alongside communities and partners to ensure that everyone has access to clean water, clean air, a healthy environment, and a meaningful voice in decision-making. While Fellows will have the opportunity to work on at least one project with an environmental justice focus, they will engage in the full range of legal work that all Associate Attorneys undertake. Learn more about Glynn D. Key and the Fellowship here.

Applicants can indicate whether they are applying for an Associate Attorney position, a Glynn D. Key Associate Attorney Fellowship, or both.

Logistics

• Eligibility: Open to recent law school graduates, attorneys completing clerkships, and practicing attorneys.
• Location: Applicants may indicate their preferred location(s) when applying. Relocation reimbursement may be available for those moving at least 50 miles to join us.
• Associate Attorney – One position is available in each of the following offices: Charlottesville, VA; Chapel Hill, NC; and Charleston, SC.
• Glynn D. Key Associate Attorney Fellowship – Two additional positions are available and may be based in any of the following offices: Birmingham, AL; Chapel Hill, NC; Charleston, SC; Charlottesville, VA; or Nashville, TN. Strong preference will be given to applicants interested in the Chapel Hill, NC or Charlottesville, VA offices.
• Start Date: Flexible, with opportunities available late summer through early fall 2026.
• Work Model: This is a full-time, exempt position. SELC offers a hybrid work model, providing employees the flexibility to work remotely up to two days per week.
• Duration: The term for Associate Attorney positions, including the Glynn D. Key Associate Attorney Fellowship, is three years, with the possibility of a promotion and an additional three-year term.
• Compensation: The starting salary range for this position is $80,800–$94,100, commensurate with experience. SELC offers an excellent benefits package and is a Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)-eligible employer—for details, please visit our Careers page.
• Bar Exam Support: SELC reimburses the cost of the bar exam, along with a reasonable amount for related expenses, including a prep course and study materials.

Primary Responsibilities

• Support litigation efforts by conducting legal research, drafting briefs and pleadings, preparing witnesses, developing factual records, managing discovery, and coordinating with clients and co-counsel.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, partners, and other stakeholders.
• Advocate in administrative proceedings by researching and drafting comments, coordinating with coalition partners, and speaking at public meetings.
• Contribute to policy development and analysis at both the state and federal levels.
• Deliver high-quality legal work by demonstrating diligence, professionalism, and the ability to work independently within program and office work plans.
• Manage deadlines effectively by meeting internal and external timelines while maintaining clear and consistent communication with supervisors and colleagues on project progress. This requires strong verbal and written communication, interpersonal skills, and organizational abilities.
• Show initiative by contributing original insights and strategies beyond assigned tasks to support projects, offices, programs, and SELC’s mission.
• Take on progressively more substantial responsibilities and proactively seek opportunities for practice experience across SELC’s advocacy tools including litigation, lobbying, administrative advocacy, press, coalition management, and public communications.

Qualifications

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

• Recent law school graduate from an ABA-accredited law school, attorney completing a clerkship, or practicing attorney with less than three years of post-law school experience.
• Must be licensed or eligible to become licensed to practice law in the state where hired.
• Strong commitment to SELC’s mission.
• Interest in environmental law, civil rights, and/or litigation is strongly preferred. We especially value experience or interest in working with communities of color and other vulnerable communities.
• Strong academic record, demonstrated through law school coursework.
• Excellent legal research and writing skills and strong oral advocacy skills.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with an ability to build and maintain effective, collaborative relationships with clients, stakeholders, and environmental partners to advance organizational goals.
• Strong work ethic and sense of initiative, with demonstrated ability to meet internal and external deadlines and support SELC’s collegial and collaborative approach in all interactions.
• 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.

To Apply

Applicants must submit the following materials via the online application portal by September 15, 2025:

• Cover letter (Required: specify whether you are applying for an Associate Attorney position, a Glynn D. Key Associate Attorney Fellowship position, or both, and rank your preferred office locations in order)
• Resume
• Legal writing sample
• Law school transcript (Redact date of birth and social security number)
• Names and contact information for three academic or professional references
• Glynn D. Key Associate Attorney Fellowship Applicants only: In addition to the application materials listed above, applicants for the Glynn D. Key Associate Attorney Fellowship must submit a one-page statement of interest. This statement should describe your experience or interest in working with historically marginalized communities to amplify their voices and/or address environmental injustices. If you have relevant experience, highlight how you engaged with these communities, meaningfully involved them, incorporated their input, and worked toward solutions. If your work included advocacy partnerships, describe the organizations or groups you collaborated with and the community you served. If you do not have direct experience, you may discuss your interest in this work, including personal, academic, or volunteer experiences that have shaped your commitment to environmental justice and your desire to work at the intersection of environmental law and racial justice.

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. Qualified persons of all backgrounds—including traditionally underrepresented individuals such as people of color, women, people with disabilities, veterans, and LGBTQ candidates—are strongly encouraged to apply.