Earthjustice’s Northern Rockies Regional Office is accepting applications for one part-time legal extern for spring 2025. We are seeking law students who share a passion for justice and a healthy environment, and who are eligible to receive academic credit or fulfill a graduation requirement through this externship. The successful candidate may work remotely within the U.S. or on a hybrid schedule from one of Earthjustice’s
offices.
Earthjustice is the premier nonprofit environmental law organization. We take on the biggest, most precedent-setting cases across the country. We wield the power of law and the strength of partnership to protect people’s health; to preserve magnificent places and wildlife; to advance clean energy, and combat climate change. We partner with thousands of groups, supporters, individuals, and communities to engage in the critical environmental issues of our time and bring about positive change. We are guided by a passionate, ambitious vision for the future for people and our planet. We are here because the earth needs a good lawyer.
The Northern Rockies Regional Office is engaged in litigation focused on protecting and preserving the iconic wildlife species and wild lands of this incomparable region; challenging fossil fuel extraction and burning that contributes to climate change and pollution of our air and water; and advocating for environmental interests held by Native American communities and organizations. We have played a leading and long-standing role as the last line of defense for the ecosystems encompassing Yellowstone and Glacier national parks; advancing policies to hasten the region’s transition away from fossil fuels and toward a clean-energy economy; opposing expansion of coal mining by some of the industry’s worst actors; and protecting lands of great cultural and spiritual importance to Tribes.
Responsibilities:
Under the supervision of an attorney, the legal extern may:
- Work with attorneys on case development and litigation.
- Perform legal and factual research, and develop case strategy and legal theories.
- Assist attorneys with preparing briefs and motions and meet with clients and experts.
- Participate in moots of oral arguments and attend court proceedings and conferences with opposing counsel.
Qualifications:
- Enrolled in law school as a 2L or 3L during spring 2025.
- Must be eligible to receive academic credit or fulfill a graduation requirement through this externship.
- Excellent writing, research, analytical and organizational skills.
- Strong work ethic, initiative, and ability to think creatively.
- Ability to work collegially with others and independently.
- Knowledge of environmental and administrative law is a plus.
- Interest in public interest law and social justice.
- Must commit 15-25 hours per week.
Compensation:
Legal externs are unpaid and must receive academic credit or fulfill a graduation requirement for their work with Earthjustice.
To Apply:
Interested candidates should submit the following materials by 5:00pm PT on Wednesday, August 21, 2024. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Applications will be reviewed beginning August 22 with offers extended no later than October 18.
- Resume.
- One-page cover letter that explains: (1) Your interest in working with the Earthjustice’s Northern Rockies Regional Office; (2) The number of hours, or a reasonable estimate, you are available to work per week; (3) Confirmation that you can earn academic credit from your law school or that you will be fulfilling a graduation requirement; and (4) An indication of any applicable deadlines or requirements that are relevant to your submission or ability to accept an offer.
- Additional Documents (select “Add Files” in Jobvite): Recent writing sample, preferably a legal brief or memorandum of no more than 10 pages that primarily reflects your work. Please include a cover page indicating the extent to which your writing sample reflects edits and feedback from others.
- Finalists will be asked to submit 2 references, including one law professor or legal employer.
Information about our hiring process and tips for success can be found at
https://earthjustice.org/about/jobs/hiring-process. Please reach out to
jobs@earthjustice.org if you are having technical difficulties submitting your application. No phone calls, drop-ins, or hard copies. Earthjustice only considers applications submitted for current openings via Jobvite. Unsolicited resumes or resumes for posted positions that are not submitted via Jobvite will not be reviewed or retained.
As an equal opportunity employer, Earthjustice is committed to employment practices that ensure that employees and applicants for employment are provided with equal opportunities without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, or any other factor specified under applicable laws that is not related to the position.
For positions located within the City and County of San Francisco: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
For positions located within the City of Los Angeles: We will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring.