Attorney

The Environmental Law Institute (ELI) is an environmental law, science, and policy center that makes law work for people, places, and the planet. We envision a healthy environment, prosperous economies, and vibrant communities founded on the rule of law.  Our mission is to foster innovative, just, and practical law and policy solutions to enable leaders across borders and sectors to make environmental, economic, and social progress.

ELI’s staff aims to:

• Build the skills and capacity of tomorrow’s leaders and institutions
• Research and analyze complex and pressing environmental challenges
• Promote and disseminate the best thinking through print and electronic media
• Work with partners to develop and implement laws, policies, and other means to protect the environment and society
• Convene people with diverse perspectives to build understanding through robust dialogue

For more information on ELI’s programs, visit https://www.eli.org/programs.

ELI is seeking an experienced Attorney to work in its Washington DC office on our portfolio of uniquely positioned environmental law and policy projects addressing critical environment and sustainable development challenges domestically and internationally.  It is expected that this Attorney would focus particularly (but not exclusively) on ELI’s international programs.

JOB SUMMARY

ELI’s Research and Policy experts assemble interdisciplinary teams to develop innovative legal and governance solutions to challenges in areas such as climate change, environmental justice, natural resource management, land conservation and smart growth, biodiversity loss and habitat destruction, ocean and coastal resource management, and air, water, and soil pollution. The hallmark of the Institute’s work is its collaborating closely with citizens, government officials, and civil society groups to assist them in achieving their goals for environmental protection, sustainable development, and justice in the environmental field. ELI’s programs advance these goals by building legal and governance capacity, developing legal and policy mechanisms, and promoting public participation in environmental decision making.

ELI Attorneys collaborate with partners to develop and carry out law and governance projects to respond to the urgent environmental challenges of today. In project teams, we carry out varied project and program assignments including, but not limited to, research tasks, writing, outreach, and program development. Our Attorneys are skilled legal researchers and are committed to sustainability, justice, and advancing the environmental rule of law.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Perform extensive legal and policy research and analysis in a professional, timely, and self-directed manner.
• Develop written products on law and policy topics in a range of formats and for ELI’s many audiences.
• Carry out projects and programs consistent with ELI’s mission and project parameters.
• Facilitate and coordinate meetings and communications with partners and other stakeholders and represent the Institute publicly as needed to communicate and foster particular programs and projects.
• Assist with project proposals and provide other development support to secure sufficient funding to carry out high-quality programs and projects.
• Assist in the development and management of ELI’s projects. As project managers, Attorneys are responsible for performing, assigning, and supervising delegated project tasks.
• Attorneys may have project-related managerial roles with junior staff, including other Attorneys, Research Associates, and Interns.
• Periodic travel to domestic and international destinations as projects require.

QUALIFICATIONS

The Environmental Law Institute is collaborative by nature and you must be able to interact in a professional manner with people from diverse racial, ethnic, political, and socioeconomic backgrounds. We employ anti-racist practices and principles while striving to support ELI’s culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice. Other skills needed but not limited to include:

• D. or equivalent degree with a strong academic record.
• A minimum of 6 years’ post-law school experience in the environmental law and policy field.
• Excellent skills in policy and legal research, analytical writing, and verbal communication.
• Broad knowledge of and experience in environmental, energy, or natural resource law and policy, or related field.
• Ability to become proficient in new issue areas and contribute to creative, rigorous, analytical approaches to address them.
• Excellent project management and development skills.
• Well-developed collaborative and interpersonal skills; self-awareness, cultural competency and inclusivity, and ability to work with colleagues and stakeholders across diverse cultures and backgrounds domestically and internationally.
• Well-developed judgment to assess needs, develop strategy, establish priorities and effectively manage multiple tasks at the same time with moderate supervision.
• Proficiency or fluency in French or Spanish is highly desirable; other language skills are appreciated.

COMPENSATION

Compensation starting at $63,000, and is commensurate with experience. We also provide excellent benefits including:

• Health/Dental/Vision insurance  
• Flexible Spending Account  
• Employer paid life insurance & disability insurance  
• Long Term Care insurance  
• Pre-tax transportation benefit  
• Fitness Incentive  
• 403(b) Retirement Savings Account with employer match  
• Paid time off  

HOW TO APPLY

To apply, submit an application package via ELI's online application system at https://www.eli.org/employment. Note that your submission must contain the following uploaded documents (Word or PDF format), as follows:  

• Cover letter  
• Current CV or resume  
• List of 3 references
• A legal writing sample

Applications must be submitted no later than November 15, 2021. You must use ELI’s online application system; ELI cannot accept applications submitted by email, USPS or other shipping service, or hand delivery.

ELI is an equal opportunity employer firmly committed to achieving an inclusive, diverse workforce that values every individual. We firmly believe that hiring individuals with varying perspectives and backgrounds contributes to our success as an organization, and we strive to create an environment that fosters inclusiveness. As such, minority candidates and candidates from traditionally underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply.