The SPLC is seeking a Community Legal Referral Fellow to join our Georgia State Office! 

The Community Legal Referral Fellow will lead the Georgia State Office’s community legal referral efforts in and around the English Ave neighborhood in the City of Atlanta, where the SPLC’s new Atlanta Campus will be located. The Fellow will field questions about legal matters from community members and other stakeholders and refer them to the proper city, county, or state agency, or nongovernmental organization to resolve the matter. They will not provide legal advice in any matter, but they serve as the first point of contact for individuals or organizations seeking to understand a local legal issue affecting them.  The Fellow will cultivate and steward relationships across the metropolitan Atlanta area, with a distinct focus in the English Avenue community.

This is a one-year fellowship, allowing the SPLC to assess the day-to-day legal needs in the community and help devise a sustainable, long-term plan for responding to them.  A report and analysis of the legal matters that were brought to SPLC will be due on the 11th month of fellowship. This fellowship will end one year from the start date.

Who You Are

Passionate and Committed to Justice. The Community Legal Referral Fellow will have a passion for, and demonstrated commitment to, racial and social justice issues and an enthusiasm for helping people in need in the communities of the Westside of Atlanta.

People-Centered. The Community Legal Referral Fellow must be comfortable having regular interactions over the phone and in person with a wide range of people, ranging from low-income and marginalized individuals to community partners.

Solutions Oriented. You know how to manage expectations in difficult situations: The Community Legal Referral Fellow helps connect people and organizations with government agencies, NGOs, and resources to help solve and/or confront their legal problems. The Fellow will not serve as their legal advocate nor attorney, and except in exceptional circumstances, neither will SPLC attorneys.

Connector. You like making connections: The Community Legal Referral Fellow will be the outward face of SPLC GA in the community on the westside to address potential solutions and identify appropriate legal partnerships.

Organized. The Community Legal Referral Fellow will organize and develop client case files and transfer memos ensuring a smooth case placement process while feeling comfortable working directly in and on behalf of community.

Experienced and Knowledgeable. You have a deep understanding of the Fulton County criminal justice system and City of Atlanta zoning, code enforcement and licensing issues. Having a legal background is ideal. You should have demonstrated prior experience in legal services in Fulton County, showing that you can independently refer people to the proper government, nonprofit or NGO(s) to help solve their matter and provide limited case management. 

What You'll Do

Schedule weekly intake appointments and follow-up meetings for Westside and English Ave community members seeking legal assistance and consultation; identify legal issues; and consult with appropriate partners to determine needed response.   

Develop, organize, and maintain case files, databases and archives to track outcomes of community members seeking assistance and consultation.    

Assist with providing legal resources and referrals for community inquiries, filling out forms and drafting correspondence related to legal referrals in addition to collaborating with lawyers and legal partners to assist community members in filing legal documents as needed.   

Collect data on community residents and partner issues to develop long-term potential solutions.    

Conduct interdepartmental intake discussions and participate in legal strategy meetings to increase awareness of needs and develop holistic strategies to improve community outcomes.    

Provide guidance around criminal justice and non-criminal justice issues, including local zoning, code enforcement, and land use planning questions from community stakeholders.   

Conduct monthly impact analysis and weekly reporting of community issues to legal department staff at SPLC.    

Provide administrative support and attend community events to strengthen community and state-based partnerships.

Develop and present a report on the legal needs in the community on the 11th month of the fellowship, which SPLC will use to formulate a long-term plan for responding to legal requests of assistance.  

Perform other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties in this job classification

Minimum Qualifications 

• Minimum 1 year of experience working on campaigns and/or advocacy efforts; demonstrated legal services experience and knowledge of the criminal legal system of Fulton County; and in-depth knowledge of zoning, code enforcement, and licensing issues of the city of Atlanta; and 
• Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice or related field. 

Compensation & Benefits

This is a non-exempt role and the minimum starting salary is $73,832 ($35.49 per hour) annually. Salary will be commensurate with experience. 

Click here to view the benefits available to SPLC staff.

Where & How You'll Work 

This role has the following work designation options. 

• Local Remote:  Will work remotely, but is expected to attend work-related activities that occur at the SPLC offices or in the states in which the SPLC operates.
• Telework:  Will work at an SPLC office at least three days per week and may work two days per week from an alternative work location.
• This position will report to the Georgia State Office Director. 

Other Special Considerations 

This job is performed under general office conditions and is not subject to any strenuous physical demands or dangerous conditions.

This role is part-time working less than 30 hours per week and the duration of the fellowship is one year. 

This position is represented by the Washington-Baltimore News Guild. 

Disclaimer:

The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the employee in this position. These statements are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of a person in this position.

An Equal-Opportunity Employer with a Commitment to Diversity

Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and as an organization committed to diversity and the perspective of all voices, we consider applicants equally without regard to age, caregiver status, color, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, gender identity, marital status, national origin, on the basis of genetic information, political affiliation, pregnancy, or veteran status.