In 2019, the ACLU launched the Southern Collective (SoColl), a collaborative multi-state initative project of the national office and the ACLU affiliates of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. Texas has recently been added to the Southern Collective as the 13th SoColl state. The Collective works to address the challenges in the South that are rooted in its unique history of racial oppression and violence and equally remarkable history of civil rights struggles and victories. It focuses on advancing high-impact, collaborative initiatives across the region to pave the way for racial justice nationwide.

About NBLSA

For over 50 years, the National Black Law Students Association (NBLSA) has sought to increase the number of culturally responsible Black and minority attorneys who excel academically, succeed professionally, and positively impact the community; to instill in the Black law student a greater commitment to the needs of the Black community; and to influence the legal community by bringing about meaningful legal and political change that addresses the needs and concerns of the Black community.

About the ACLU-NBLSA Southern Legal Internship Program

The ACLU has partnered with NBLSA to deepen the bench of talented, passionate, and committed civil rights and social justice attorneys in the South. The Southern Legal Internship Program (SLIP) will place legal interns at ACLU affiliates in each of the 13 states in the ACLU's Southern Collective. SLIP interns will contribute to crucial legal, policy, and organizing campaigns in the issue areas that most affect Black and Brown communities in the region, including voting rights, educational equity, gender justice, and criminal legal reform.

Program Overview

Time Commitment: Full-time (35 hours/week) for 10 weeks in Summer 2026 (likely beginning June 3 or June 10, 2026)

Compensation: $8,400

Location: One SLIP intern will be hired by each of the ACLU Southern Collective affiliates. Until further notice, it is preferred that SLIP interns will report for in-person work (likely on a hybrid basis with some amount of remote and in-person work) at affiliate offices alongside ACLU employees. Each affiliate sets its own policies regarding any mandatory in-person work requirements.

Requests to be fully remote with at least 1-2 in-person visits at the affiliate office will be assessed on a case by case basis by the affiliate’s hiring manager. Special exceptions from affiliates who will work with interns who are fully remote:

Orientation: Before the internship begins, SLIP interns will participate in an orientation with their cohort and staff from ACLU National and Southern Collective offices. The date and format of the orientation (including whether it will be held virtually or in person) are TBD. Travel to and from the orientation and lodging will be provided by the ACLU.

Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to:

• Legal, policy, and administrative/regulatory research
• Drafting legal documents
• Drafting public-facing documents, e.g. know-your-rights documents or awareness-raising materials
• Participating in client intake
• Other projects as assigned based on affiliate placement

Qualifications

• Current law student at the time of application (graduating no earlier than December 2026)
• Member of the National Black Law Student OR membership in your law school’s Black Law Student Association chapter.
• Strong research and writing skills
• Highly organized with strong attention to detail
• Proficiency with Microsoft programs, such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Ability to take initiative, think creatively, problem solve, and take ownership of projects and assignments
• Excellent verbal communication and interpersonal skills and ability to be a team player
• Commitment to civil liberties, civil rights, and social justice
• Please note that specific expectations will vary based on affiliate placement.

How to Apply

To apply, use this link to submit: (1) a cover letter (1 page maximum), (2) a résumé, (3) a writing sample (10 pages maximum), and (4) proof of NBLSA or local BLSA chapter membership through the Greenhouse application link in this post.

Choose Kentucky as the ACLU affiliate to which you want to apply.

Application Requirement: Please label each of your materials with your full name when you upload them (ex. First Name Last Name - Resume)

PRIORITY deadline*: October 31, 2025

FINAL deadline: November 28, 2025

* We strongly encourage you to apply by the priority deadline.

More Information

If you have questions or want more information about SLIP, please email [email protected].

APPLY HERE

Accommodations

The ACLU of Kentucky is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to having a diverse workplace and an inclusive culture. The ACLU of Kentucky encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, disability, veteran status, record of arrest or conviction and any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

The ACLU of Kentucky is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual with a disability and need assistance applying online, please e-mail [email protected]. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process.