Summer 2026 ACLU-NBLSA Southern Legal Internship Program (SLIP)
About the Program: The Southern Legal Internship Program (SLIP) or SLIP is a unique collaboration between the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the National Black Law Students Association (NBLSA). This summer internship will provide law students with invaluable experience working on impactful civil rights and social justice issues across the Southern United States. Interns will be placed at ACLU affiliates in the 13 states of the Southern Collective, including Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia. Students are able to note the specific states they are interested in working in.
Program Details:
- Time Commitment: Full-time (35 hours/week) for 10 weeks during the summer of 2025 (starting likely June 1 or June 15 – start date varies by affiliate).
- Compensation: $8,400.
- Location: Each intern will work at an ACLU affiliate office; each affiliate has their own policies related to in-person/hybrid/remote work.
- Orientation: Interns will attend a pre-internship orientation with their cohort and ACLU staff.
Responsibilities: 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. Interns will engage in a range of activities, including legal, policy, and administrative research, drafting legal and public-facing documents, participating in client intake, and more, depending on their placement.
Qualifications:
- Current law students graduating no earlier than December 2026.
- Members of NBLSA or a local Black Law Student Association chapter at your school.
- Strong research and writing skills, attention to detail, and a commitment to civil rights and social justice.
Application Process: Interested students can apply via this link: https://tinyurl.com/SLIP2026
Applications should include a cover letter, résumé, writing sample, and proof of NBLSA or local BLSA chapter membership in addition to any affiliate specific requests. The priority deadline is October 31, 2025, with the final deadline on November 28, 2025.