Legal Externship

The Los Angeles branch of Earthjustice’s California Regional Office is accepting applications for legal externs for the fall or spring semester. We are seeking current law students who share a passion for justice and a healthy environment, and are eligible for receiving academic credit for the externship.

Founded in 1971, Earthjustice has a distinguished track record of achieving significant, lasting environmental protections.  We achieve this by hiring the best and brightest who share a passion for justice and a healthy environment.  Our headquarters are in San Francisco with fourteen offices across the U.S.

The California Regional office has undertaken campaigns to protect lands and wildlife, improve air and water quality, promote clean energy and transportation policies, and ensure that state residents are protected from toxic substances.  The Los Angeles office currently has work focusing on clean energy, air quality in the South Coast and Central Valley, crude-by-rail, and oil and gas development in Kern County and Los Angeles.  Our attorneys bring a mix of lawsuits under federal environmental laws such as the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and Endangered Species Act, as well as California statutes like the California Environmental Quality Act, to protect the environment and promote healthy communities.

Responsibilities:

• Work with attorneys on case development and litigation.
• Under the supervision of an attorney, 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:

• Currently enrolled in law school.
• Commitment of at least 16 hours a week.
• Interest in environmental protection or environmental justice is a plus.

Externs are unpaid, but can be awarded course credit for work with Earthjustice. Please note that this job posting for a legal externship does NOT cover summer positions; there is a separate application process for applicants interested in a summer clerkship with Earthjustice.

To Apply: 

Interested candidates should submit the following materials.

• Cover letter explaining your interest in working for Earthjustice. Your cover letter should also clearly state (1) whether you are seeking a full or a part-time position, (2) the number of hours, or a reasonable estimate, you are available to work in our office, (3) whether you are applying for the fall semester, the spring semester, or both, and (4) confirmation that you can earn academic credit or participate as part of an academic fellowship with your law school.
• Resume
• Unofficial law school transcript
• Recent writing sample, preferably a legal brief or memorandum of no more than ten pages that primarily reflects your work
• List of three professional references

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Applicants should indicate on their cover letter if they need a decision by a certain date.

Please reach out to jobs@earthjustice.org if you are having technical difficulties submitting your application.

No phone calls, drop-ins, or hard copies.