Associate Attorney, Fossil Fuels Program

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https://earthjustice.org/
Published
February 10, 2023
Location
New Orleans, LA
Category
Job Type

Description

Earthjustice is soliciting applications for an Associate Attorney to join the Fossil Fuels Program. We use the power of the law to challenge the onslaught of new oil and gas infrastructure development that threatens climate, communities and the environment. This position will focus on oil and gas infrastructure in the U.S. Gulf region (Texas and Louisiana) and will be based in one of three locations: (1) in the New Orleans’ satellite office space shared with other Fossil Fuel Program staff, (2) in the Earthjustice Houston office, or (3) remote from Austin, Texas.

At a time when we desperately need to reduce greenhouse emissions, the oil and gas industry is aggressively working to expand fossil fuel infrastructure, locking us into decades of future oil and gas use and directly harming communities already hardest hit by climate change. Earthjustice’s Fossil Fuels program uses litigation, administrative advocacy, and partnership to advance an end to U.S. oil and gas extraction and production primarily by stopping new oil and gas infrastructure (e.g., petrochemical facilities, export terminals and pipelines). For more information about the program’s work, visit https://earthjustice.org/about/offices/fossil-fuels.

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 to engage on the critical environmental issues of our time and bring about positive change. We are here because the earth needs a good lawyer.

Earthjustice’s Associate Attorney program is designed as a three-year position to help attorneys who are in the early stages of their careers develop into thoughtful, professional, and effective advocates skilled in the various phases of public interest litigation. The level of duties and responsibilities for an Associate Attorney will vary depending on experience. Many Associates have gone on to other positions within Earthjustice and with other public interest organizations.

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 are in San Francisco with offices in Anchorage, Bozeman, Chicago, Denver, Honolulu, Houston, Juneau, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, Philadelphia, Seattle, Tallahassee and Washington, D.C.

Responsibilities:

  • Work with program staff and clients to investigate, develop, and litigate cases.
  • Participate in the full range of tasks involved in litigation, including factual investigation, legal research, memo writing, comments, briefing, discovery, and oral advocacy.
  • Review and analyze administrative records and technical documents, and prepare comments on proposed agency actions, permits, and environmental review documents.
  • Engage with clients, coalition partners, and experts, as well as internal communications and legislative staff.
  • Hire and supervise law students who work at Earthjustice as interns or clerks.

Qualifications:

  • Admitted to, or willing and eligible to apply for admission to, the Louisiana and/or Texas Bar.
  • 0-5 years of post-graduate litigation and/or clerkship experience.
  • Excellent legal research, writing and analytical skills.
  • Strong work ethic and initiative, and sound yet creative judgment.
  • Ability to work well both independently and with a team.
  • Strong desire to fight for the right of all to a healthy environment.
  • Demonstrated awareness and sensitivity to the needs and concerns of individuals from diverse cultures, backgrounds and orientations.
  • Commitment to help create 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.

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.

Salary is based on experience and location.
Salary range in New Orleans, LA, Houston or Austin, TX: $78,800 - $102,900

To Apply: 

Interested applicants should submit the following:

  • Resume.
  • One page cover letter that addresses why you would like to serve as an associate for this specific position.
  • Writing sample, preferably a legal brief or memorandum that primarily reflects your work.
  • Law school transcript.
  • List of three references.

Click here to apply: https://app.jobvite.com/j?cj=ov3kmfwY&s=Above_the_Law

For this position, we are seeking a candidate who is available to start in April, June, or September 2023. Preference will be given to candidates who apply by February 26, 2023. After that, applications may 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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