Associate Attorney, Climate & Energy

over 1 year ago
Full time role
New York, NY, US... more
New York, NY, US... more

Company

Earthjustice is the premier nonprofit environmental law organization. We take on the biggest, most precedent-setting cases across the country. We ...

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Job Description

Earthjustice seeks an Associate Attorney to join our team focusing on advocacy and litigation before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and other federal agencies and in the courts to stop a buildout of new gas infrastructure projects. The position will be based preferably in our New York or Washington, D.C. offices, although applicants seeking to work in other locations where Earthjustice has an office will also be considered.

Earthjustice is the premier nonprofit environmental law organization. We take on the biggest, most precedent-setting cases across the country. 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, individuals and communities to engage the critical environmental issues of our time, and bring about positive change. We are guided by a passionate, ambitious vision for the future for people and our planet: until justice stands for all, we will never rest. 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 is in San Francisco.

Earthjustice litigates and advocates in courts and before administrative agencies to achieve a swift and equitable shift from fossil fuels to 100% clean energy, and to curb the devastating effects of climate change. Our work includes challenging new fossil fuel infrastructure projects, including oil and gas pipelines and liquefied natural gas export terminals; scaling up and increasing access to clean energy resources; and advancing electrification. The Associate Attorney position will focus on advocacy and litigation before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and other federal agencies, and in federal courts to stop fossil fuel infrastructure projects.

The Associate Attorney position is a three-year position, with the potential for an extension, 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. As Associate Attorneys gain experience, they gradually take on more independent responsibility for their cases. Many Associates have gone on to other positions within Earthjustice and with other public interest organizations.

Responsibilities:

The level of duties and responsibilities for an Associate Attorney will vary depending on experience. However, among other responsibilities, the Associate should be able to:

  • Work closely with Earthjustice attorneys and professional staff and clients to investigate, develop, and litigate cases.
  • Participate in the full range of tasks involved in litigation and regulatory advocacy, including factual and legal research; discovery; drafting briefs, comments, petitions, and other filings; and oral advocacy.
  • Engage in proceedings or other advocacy opportunities before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and other administrative tribunals or agencies.
  • Appear in court under the supervision of a more senior attorney.
  • Participate in cultivating relationships with new clients, allies, and coalition partners.
  • Interact with clients, coalition partners, and experts, and learn how to handle media work.
  • Integrate communications and legislative advocacy into litigation and other legal strategies.
  • Participate in the hiring process and supervise law students who work at Earthjustice as interns or clerks.
  • Support efforts to ensure a diverse, equitable and inclusive work culture that encourages and celebrates differences.

Qualifications:

  • Law school graduates who are admitted, or willing to apply for admission, to the state bar where they are located.
  • 1-6 years of post-graduate legal experience.
  • Excellent research, analytic, writing, and communication skills.
  • Strong work ethic and initiative, and sound and creative judgment.
  • Ability to work both independently and in collaboration with others.
  • Willingness to travel as needed.
  • Commitment to serving the public interest and a strong desire to fight for a just and equitable clean energy future.
  • Demonstrated awareness and sensitivity to the needs and concerns of individuals from diverse cultures, backgrounds, and orientations.
  • Willingness to contribute to the creation of a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work culture that encourages and celebrates differences.
  • Willingness to contribute to recruiting, hiring, developing, and retaining a diverse and inclusive workforce

Salary depends on experience and location.

Salary range in New York, NY: $ 97,500 – $126,000

Salary range in Washington, D.C.: $92,600 – $119,700

We offer a competitive salary and excellent benefits that are comprehensive and competitive. We also offer a congenial work environment and a casual dress code.  As a 501(c)(3) organization, Earthjustice is a qualifying employer for purposes of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program.

To Apply:

Interested candidates should submit via Jobvite:

  • Resume
  • One- or two-page cover letter explaining your interest in this position; what draws you to Earthjustice’s mission; and the aspects of your background that are relevant to the qualifications listed above. Please also indicate the Earthjustice office location(s) where you would prefer to work.
  • Writing sample, preferably a legal brief or memorandum that primarily reflects your work.
  • Law school transcript.
  • List of three references.

For this position, we are looking to hire a candidate that is available to start January 2023. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Earthjustice 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 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.

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