Frequently asked questions

Have questions about our associate attorney and intern programs? You’ll find answers to the most frequently askes questions here.

Associate Attorneys

What is the role of Associate Attorneys at SELC?

Our Associate Attorneys work with more senior attorneys on litigation and legal advocacy in state and federal courts and before regulatory agencies.  Because a top goal of our Associate Attorney program is to train the next generation of outstanding environmental lawyers, we strive to provide our Associates with valuable, “hands-on” experiences that will provide them with a solid foundation for the rest of their careers.  They are typically exposed to multiple practice areas, and responsibilities include not just complex legal research and writing, but also taking part in the legal proceedings and advocacy activities in which SELC is involved, and participating in strategy formulation with partners and clients.

How long is the term?

The term for an associate position is three years, with the potential for an additional three-year term, at the discretion of SELC’s Management Committee, upon a recommendation from the Associate Attorney’s Office Director. 

Although our Associate Attorney program is intended to help Associates develop a set of core legal skills to take with them at the end of their terms with SELC, it is often the case that SELC’s Associates are top candidates for our fully funded Staff Attorney positions that occasionally become available. 

Who may apply? 

The Associate Attorney position is an entry-level position open to recent law school graduates, attorneys completing clerkships, and practicing attorneys. A strong academic background and commitment to SELC’s mission are required, and litigation experience or a background in environmental law is preferred. SELC welcomes applications from all qualified candidates.

What is the application process?

SELC accepts applications for the majority of our Associate Attorney positions, including the Glynn D. Key Associate Attorney Fellowship, during our annual hiring cycle. Applicants with an interest in environmental justice are encouraged to apply for both the Glynn D. Key Associate Attorney Fellowship and the general Associate Attorney position.

The number and location of openings vary from year to year, though SELC generally hires Associate Attorneys in all of our offices except Richmond, VA, and Washington, DC. The hiring cycle typically begins with applications opening in late July or early August and closing in September. Applications are reviewed by our hiring committees, and selected candidates are invited to participate in video and in-person interviews throughout the fall. Hiring decisions and offers are usually made by the end of the calendar year.

In addition to the annual cycle, Associate Attorney positions may occasionally be posted outside of this process if specific needs arise. All openings are posted on SELC’s Open Positions page, and application materials must be submitted through our online portal to be considered.

When and where are SELC internships offered?

Each year, SELC hires summer legal interns, typically in our Charlottesville, VA; Chapel Hill, NC; Asheville, NC; Atlanta, GA; Charleston, SC; Birmingham, AL; Washington, DC; and Nashville, TN offices. Applications for second-year law students are generally accepted through our online portal from August to early October. The Glynn D. Key Summer Intern Fellowship, offered exclusively to first-year law students, has a separate application process with materials accepted from December to January.

Summer interns are currently paid $9,000 for a 10-week program ($900 per week). This stipend is not reduced if interns receive supplemental funding from other sources.

Externship opportunities differ from the internships as they are in-semester positions that are usually arranged through law schools, are unpaid, and are often performed for academic credit as part of an environmental legal practice clinic. More info about SELC Externships is also found on the Internship & Externship Opportunities page.

The practice of environmental law in the public interest takes a considerable amount of person power and training. At SELC, we are able to put all these resources behind the engine of getting it done.

Chandra Taylor-Sawyer, Senior Attorney and Environmental Justice Initiative Leader