<h2>Overview</h2>NRDC is a non-profit environmental advocacy organization. We use law, science, and the support of 3.1 million members and online activists to protect the planet's wildlife and wild places and to ensure the rights of all people to clean air, clean water, and healthy communities. NRDC was founded in 1970 and our people helped write some of America's bedrock environmental laws, including the Clean Water Act and many of the implementing regulations. Today, our team of more than 600 lawyers, scientists, economists, policy advocates, communications experts, and others work across the United States and the globe from our offices in Beijing; Chicago; New Delhi; New York; San Francisco; Santa Monica; and Washington, D.C.  NRDC is seeking two Litigation Fellows to work with the Litigation Team in any one of our U.S.-based offices. Position Summary NRDC is seeking two Litigation Fellows to work with the Litigation Team in one of our U.S. offices: Chicago; New York; San Francisco; Santa Monica; or Washington, D.C. The term for this fellowship is Fall 2026 through Fall 2028, with the possibility of extension through Fall 2029.  The fellowship is open to candidates who graduated law school in 2023 or later, as well as current law students who will graduate this academic year (2026). Applicants must be available to start no later than Fall 2026. This position is part of the bargaining unit represented by The Washington Baltimore News Guild (WBNG / The Newsguild-CWA Local 32035).  <h2>Responsibilities</h2>To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the following essential functions: <ul> <li>Work with teams of attorneys and paralegals on active cases and case development projects, including by providing support on cases led by senior attorneys and by leading cases or aspects of cases under the supervision of senior attorneys. </li> <li>Collaborate with NRDC program staff, clients, experts, and coalition and community partners to support litigation goals. </li> <li>Conduct legal research and factual investigations. </li> <li>Write briefs, motions, and memoranda. </li> <li>When opportunities arise, participate in court hearings; engage in discovery and conduct record and document review; and/or prepare for and take depositions. </li> <li>Contribute to the Team and NRDC’s litigation capacity in other ways, e.g., by managing legal intern hiring and supervision, serving on institutional committees, organizing continuing legal education (CLE) presentations and other trainings, building relationships with other components of NRDC and allied groups, and engaging in development outreach.  </li></ul>The above list of duties is not comprehensive, but generally demonstrates the types of matters under this position’s responsibility. Other duties may be assigned. <h2>Qualifications</h2>Minimum Education &amp; Experience:   <ul> <li>A Juris Doctorate degree (graduation year 2023 or later) and 0 to 3 years of post-graduate experience.  </li> <li>Admission to the bar of the jurisdiction in which the applicant intends to practice, or willingness to complete the requirements for admission to that bar before or during the first year of the fellowship. (NRDC covers a portion of any necessary bar exam and bar preparation expenses.) </li></ul>Skills, Abilities, &amp; Competencies:  <ul> <li>Strong legal writing and analytical skills. </li> <li>Strong oral communication skills. </li> <li>Ability to work independently and take initiative. </li> <li>Ability to work effectively with a team. </li> <li>Strong work ethic and growth mindset.  </li> <li>Ability to maintain composure and sense of humor under deadline pressure. </li> <li>Ability to travel occasionally to other NRDC U.S. offices and attend court hearings and other case-related meetings as appropriate (approximately 10% or less of total working time annually).  </li> <li>Demonstrated competency in working with people with different social identities than their own (including race, gender, sexual identity or orientation, age, class, and disability). </li> <li>Demonstrated commitment to public service, equity, or social justice. </li> <li>Commitment to NRDC’s values and mission. </li></ul> PHYSICAL DEMANDS  The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position within the described work environment.Frequently: Perform desk-based computer tasksFrequently: Ability to interact and communicate with employees and others as necessaryFrequently: Attend planned meetings and collaborate with management and coworkersOccasionally: Ability to attend events and activities in the office or offsite Work is sometimes performed primarily in office. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet in office settings and moderate in other situations.  Hours of employment may sometimes require working flexible and/or longer hours, including nights and weekends, when necessitated by projects. The job includes work-related situations such as those involving challenging, important, urgent, time-sensitive, or multiple matters. NRDC is committed to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion, both in our work and in our workplace. We believe that celebrating and actively welcoming diverse voices and perspectives is essential to solving the planet's most pressing environmental problems, and we encourage applications from candidates whose identities have been historically under-represented in the environmental movement.  We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, marital status, sexual orientation, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.   We offer competitive salaries, excellent benefits, and a supportive working environment. Salary is based on a nonprofit scale and is commensurate with skills and experience. Internal equity will be reviewed and considered to determine a final offer. For this position, the salary range is $90,000 to $100,000.   NRDC operates under a hybrid work model. Employees are required to come to the office 8 days per month.  As a science-based organization, NRDC aims to do our part to help contain the COVID-19 public health crisis. For the sake of health, safety, and equity, we ask that people be vaccinated unless they have an approved medical or religious accommodation or other exemption in accordance with state and local law. We consider a person to be vaccinated two weeks after receiving one full course of a CDC-approved vaccine. In accordance with state or local law, new hires will be asked to attest to vaccination, those wishing to do so may request medical or religious accommodations or other exemptions via NRDC Employee Relations. NRDC treats all vaccine-related data confidentially, in keeping with local, state, and federal laws.  To apply, visit www.nrdc.org/careers and upload your résumé, cover letter, law school transcript, list of three references, and writing sample (no more than ten pages). In your cover letter, please mention where you saw this posting and the NRDC office(s) in which you would prefer to work.   We will consider applications on a rolling basis, with preference given to applicants who apply by September 30, 2025. Due to the high volume of applications, we will contact only those candidates we would like to interview. Please no phone calls, emails, or in-person résumé drop-offs.  If you experience technical problems while applying or if you are a person with a disability and need assistance applying online, please reach out to iCIMS Customer Care at 1-800-889-4422.  For more about NRDC, visit www.nrdc.org.

The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) is a non-profit environmental advocacy organization. We use law, science, and the support of 3.1 million members and online activists to protect the planet's wildlife and wild places and to ensure the rights of all people to clean air, clean water, and healthy communities. NRDC was founded in 1970 and our staff helped write some of America's bedrock environmental laws, including the Clean Water Act, and many of the implementing regulations. Today, our staff of more than 700 lawyers, scientists, economists, policy advocates, communications experts, and others work across the United States and internationally from our offices in New York; Washington, D.C.; Chicago; Santa Monica; San Francisco; Bozeman, Montana; and Beijing.

Litigation Fellow

<h2>Overview</h2>NRDC is a non-profit environmental advocacy organization. We use law, science, and the support of 3.1 million members and online activists to protect the planet's wildlife and wild places and to ensure the rights of all people to clean air, clean water, and healthy communities. NRDC was founded in 1970 and our people helped write some of America's bedrock environmental laws, including the Clean Water Act and many of the implementing regulations. Today, our team of more than 600 lawyers, scientists, economists, policy advocates, communications experts, and others work across the United States and the globe from our offices in Beijing; Chicago; New Delhi; New York; San Francisco; Santa Monica; and Washington, D.C.&nbsp;&nbsp;NRDC is seeking two Litigation Fellows to work with the Litigation Team in any one of our U.S.-based offices.&nbsp;Position Summary&nbsp;NRDC is seeking two Litigation Fellows to work with the Litigation Team in one of our U.S. offices: Chicago; New York; San Francisco; Santa Monica; or Washington, D.C. The term for this fellowship is Fall 2026 through Fall 2028, with the possibility of extension through Fall 2029.&nbsp;&nbsp;The fellowship is open to candidates who graduated law school in 2023 or later, as well as current law students who will graduate this academic year (2026). Applicants must be available to start no later than Fall 2026.&nbsp;This position is part of the bargaining unit represented by The Washington Baltimore News Guild (WBNG / The Newsguild-CWA Local 32035).&nbsp;&nbsp;<h2>Responsibilities</h2>To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the following essential functions:&nbsp;<ul> <li>Work with teams of attorneys and paralegals on active cases and case development projects, including by providing support on cases led by senior attorneys and by leading cases or aspects of cases under the supervision of senior attorneys.&nbsp;</li> <li>Collaborate with NRDC program staff, clients, experts, and coalition and community partners to support litigation goals.&nbsp;</li> <li>Conduct legal research and factual investigations.&nbsp;</li> <li>Write briefs, motions, and memoranda.&nbsp;</li> <li>When opportunities arise, participate in court hearings; engage in discovery and conduct record and document review; and/or prepare for and take depositions.&nbsp;</li> <li>Contribute to the Team and NRDC’s litigation capacity in other ways, e.g., by managing legal intern hiring and supervision, serving on institutional committees, organizing continuing legal education (CLE) presentations and other trainings, building relationships with other components of NRDC and allied groups, and engaging in development outreach.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li></ul>The above list of duties is not comprehensive, but generally demonstrates the types of matters under this position’s responsibility. Other duties may be assigned.&nbsp;<h2>Qualifications</h2>Minimum Education &amp; Experience:  &nbsp;<ul> <li>A Juris Doctorate degree (graduation year 2023 or later) and 0 to 3 years of post-graduate experience.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li> <li>Admission to the bar of the jurisdiction in which the applicant intends to practice, or willingness to complete the requirements for admission to that bar before or during the first year of the fellowship. (NRDC covers a portion of any necessary bar exam and bar preparation expenses.)&nbsp;</li></ul>Skills, Abilities, &amp; Competencies:&nbsp;&nbsp;<ul> <li>Strong legal writing and analytical skills.&nbsp;</li> <li>Strong oral communication skills.&nbsp;</li> <li>Ability to work independently and take initiative.&nbsp;</li> <li>Ability to work effectively with a team.&nbsp;</li> <li>Strong work ethic and growth mindset.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li> <li>Ability to maintain composure and sense of humor under deadline pressure.&nbsp;</li> <li>Ability to travel occasionally to other NRDC U.S. offices and attend court hearings and other case-related meetings as appropriate (approximately 10% or less of total working time annually).&nbsp;&nbsp;</li> <li>Demonstrated competency in working with people with different social identities than their own (including race, gender, sexual identity or orientation, age, class, and disability).&nbsp;</li> <li>Demonstrated commitment to public service, equity, or social justice.&nbsp;</li> <li>Commitment to NRDC’s values and mission.&nbsp;</li></ul>&nbsp;PHYSICAL DEMANDS &nbsp;The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position within the described work environment.Frequently: Perform desk-based computer tasksFrequently: Ability to interact and communicate with employees and others as necessaryFrequently: Attend planned meetings and collaborate with management and coworkersOccasionally: Ability to attend events and activities in the office or offsite Work is sometimes performed primarily in office. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet in office settings and moderate in other situations.&nbsp; Hours of employment may sometimes require working flexible and/or longer hours, including nights and weekends, when necessitated by projects. The job includes work-related situations such as those involving challenging, important, urgent, time-sensitive, or multiple matters.&nbsp;NRDC is committed to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion, both in our work and in our workplace. We believe that celebrating and actively welcoming diverse voices and perspectives is essential to solving the planet's most pressing environmental problems, and we encourage applications from candidates whose identities have been historically under-represented in the environmental movement.&nbsp;&nbsp;We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, marital status, sexual orientation, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;We offer competitive salaries, excellent benefits, and a supportive working environment. Salary is based on a nonprofit scale and is commensurate with skills and experience. Internal equity will be reviewed and considered to determine a final offer. For this position, the salary range is $90,000 to $100,000.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;NRDC operates under a hybrid work model. Employees are required to come to the office 8 days per month.&nbsp;&nbsp;As a science-based organization, NRDC aims to do our part to help contain the COVID-19 public health crisis. For the sake of health, safety, and equity, we ask that people be vaccinated unless they have an approved medical or religious accommodation or other exemption in accordance with state and local law. We consider a person to be vaccinated two weeks after receiving one full course of a CDC-approved vaccine. In accordance with state or local law, new hires will be asked to attest to vaccination, those wishing to do so may request medical or religious accommodations or other exemptions via NRDC Employee Relations. NRDC treats all vaccine-related data confidentially, in keeping with local, state, and federal laws.&nbsp;&nbsp;To apply, visit www.nrdc.org/careers and upload your résumé, cover letter, law school transcript, list of three references, and writing sample (no more than ten pages). In your cover letter, please mention where you saw this posting and the NRDC office(s) in which you would prefer to work.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;We will consider applications on a rolling basis, with preference given to applicants who apply by September 30, 2025. Due to the high volume of applications, we will contact only those candidates we would like to interview. Please no phone calls, emails, or in-person résumé drop-offs.&nbsp;&nbsp;If you experience technical problems while applying or if you are a person with a disability and need assistance applying online, please reach out to iCIMS Customer Care at 1-800-889-4422.&nbsp;&nbsp;For more about NRDC, visit www.nrdc.org.&nbsp;

Litigation Fellow

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Natural Resources Defense Council

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