Associate Attorney, Washington DC Regional

The Washington, D.C. office serves both as a center for litigation on important national environmental issues and a regional office for issues arising in Mid-Atlantic States. The office’s docket currently includes litigation and administrative advocacy to curb climate change pollution, protect clean air and water, promote a transition to zero emission energy sources, and secure strong energy efficiency standards for the nation.  A significant focus of our public health work is preventing environmental harms to children, disproportionately impacted communities of color, and low-income communities. For more information about the office’s work, visit http://earthjustice.org/about/offices/dc.

Earthjustice is the nation’s leading environmental law organization. Wielding the power of law, Earthjustice partners with our clients to take on the most critical fights of our time—fights to protect the incredible biodiversity and wild places of the planet; to avert climate disaster by transitioning society away from fossil fuels toward clean energy; to safeguard the right of all people to a healthy environment. We are here because the earth needs a good lawyer.

Founded in 1971, Earthjustice has a distinguished track record of achieving significant, lasting environmental protections. We achieve this by hiring people who share a passion for justice and a healthy environment. Our headquarters are in San Francisco with offices in Anchorage, Bozeman, Chicago, Denver, Honolulu, Houston, Juneau, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, Seattle, Tallahassee and Washington, D.C.

The Associate Attorney position is a three-year position with the opportunity for extension. Many Associates have gone on to other more senior positions within Earthjustice or have joined other public interest organizations. The Associate Attorney program is designed to help attorneys who are in the early stages of their careers to develop into thoughtful, professional, and effective advocates skilled in the various phases of public interest litigation.

The attorney selected for this position will have the opportunity to play a key role in legal actions that can make a real difference to people’s health and well-being, and in protection of important environmental values.

This position is centered in our Washington, D.C. Office and requires regular in-person attendance there.  

Responsibilities

Associate Attorneys perform a range of work, in partnership with senior attorneys and professional staff, to investigate, develop, and prosecute administrative appeals and litigation including: factual investigation, legal research, case development, record review, client engagement and development, expert evidence and witness development, motions practice and brief writing, oral advocacy, and appellate advocacy. 

As Associate Attorneys gain experience, their case load may include cases for which they have primary responsibility under the supervision of a senior attorney, in addition to matters on which they work in a supporting role with senior attorneys.  Specific responsibilities include: 

• Work closely with Senior Attorneys and clients to investigate, develop, and prosecute cases and other advocacy projects.

• Participate in a broad range of tasks required for case development and litigation that can include factual investigation, legal research, discovery, administrative advocacy, briefing, witness preparation, and oral advocacy.

• Supporting efforts to ensure a diverse, equitable and inclusive work culture that encourages and celebrates differences.

• Participate in hiring and/or supervision of law students who work at Earthjustice as interns or clerks.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctorate Required

• Law school graduate admitted to, or eligible to apply for admission to, the District of Columbia Bar.

• 2-5 years of post-law school legal experience, with litigation experience preferred.

• Excellent research, analytic, writing, and communication skills.

• Strong and demonstrated work ethic, good judgment, initiative, and creativity.

• Ability to work constructively and in a highly professional manner in a diverse, dynamic, and hard-working team-oriented atmosphere.

• Commitment to public interest work and a passion for the role of Earthjustice and its mission, including a desire to fight for the right of all to a healthy environment. 

• Emotional intelligence and sensitivity to the needs and concerns of individuals associated with diverse cultures, backgrounds and orientations.

• Ability and willingness to travel as needed for case work, court appearances, and presentations.

We offer a mission- and employee-focused work environment and a competitive compensation package, including excellent benefits. Earthjustice is an equal opportunity employer and highly values diversity.  As a 501(c)(3) organization, Earthjustice is a qualifying employer for purposes of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program.       

Compensation is based on experience and location.

Salary range in Washington, DC: $111,200 - $125,300

To Apply

Interested applicants should submit via Jobvite:

• Resume.

• One- or two-page cover letter that addresses the following subjects: (1) why you are drawn to Earthjustice’s mission and whether there are particular legal, environmental, or social justice issues that inspire you; and (2) aspects of your background that demonstrate competence to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in work with clients and colleagues. Include when you would be available to join our program.

• Writing sample, preferably a legal brief or memorandum that is either unedited or only lightly edited by someone other than you. Please include a cover sheet explaining the extent of editing by someone else.

• Law school transcript.

Applications from candidates graduating from law school in 2024 or 2025 will not be considered. 

We are seeking a candidate available to start in January 2025. Preference will be given to candidates who apply by October 27, 2024. After that, applications may be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.            

Earthjustice typically brings our associate attorneys on board on a quarterly schedule, during the months of January, April, June and September.

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 is driven by a passion for justice, partnership and excellence. Our core values lead us to seek a broad range of perspectives and backgrounds to achieve our mission and to maintain an inclusive environment where all staff are valued and respected. As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to employment practices that ensure that employees and applicants for employment are given 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, gender expression, genetic information or any other factor 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.