2023 International Clerkship - San Francisco

Earthjustice’s International Program is seeking summer clerks who share a passion for justice and a healthy environment.

Earthjustice is the premier nonprofit environmental law organization. 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 to combat climate change. We partner with thousands of groups, supporters and individuals to engage the critical environmental issues of our time, and bring about positive change. We are here because the earth needs a good lawyer.

Drawing on deep experience in US, foreign, and international environmental, energy and human rights law, Earthjustice’s International Program works with partners in South Africa, Indonesia, Australia, Latin America and elsewhere to reduce dependence on dirty fossil fuels and speed the transition to clean energy. International program staff collaborate with organizations and communities to establish, strengthen, and enforce national and international legal protections for the environment and public health.   

Clerks play an important role in the development and implementation of legal strategies to combat some of the most pressing threats to the environment around the world. Under the supervision of an attorney, clerks’ primary responsibilities are to conduct legal and policy research, and to draft a variety of legal documents such as internal memorandum, briefs in support of litigation in domestic and international courts, and advocacy materials, such as reports and blog posts. International Program clerks will learn about and deepen their understanding of international environmental law and of how to develop international legal strategies to protect the environment and human rights.

The Earthjustice Summer Clerkship position includes a weekly stipend of $1,280, with the average clerkship lasting 10 weeks. The total stipend amount will be dependent on the extent of a clerk’s ability to secure outside funding. Earthjustice will pay $1,280 a week less the total amount received from other sources. We strongly encourage candidates to pursue outside funding, but the ability to secure outside funding will not be considered as part of the hiring decision.

Although not required, the ideal candidate will have:

• A demonstrated commitment to or interest in international and/or environmental issues.
• Experience working in cross-cultural settings.
• Coursework or job-related experience in international or international environmental law.

To Apply:

Law students who have approximately ten consecutive weeks to commit are eligible to apply. Interested applicants are requested to submit the following materials:

• Cover letter. The best cover letters are one page, address why the applicant wants to work for the International program, and provide information that is not apparent or fully explained in the applicant’s resume.
• Resume.
• Recent writing sample, preferably a legal brief or memorandum of no more than ten pages, that has not been edited by another person.
• Unofficial transcript. If your transcript does not include the classes you are registered for or intend to take, please provide a list.
• List of three references.

Incomplete applications will not be considered. If you’re having technical difficulties submitting your application, please contact jobs@earthjustice.org.

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 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, 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.