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Staff Attorney, Coal

Employer
Earthjustice
Location
Chicago, Illinois
Salary
We offer a mission- and employee-focused work environment and a competitive compensation package.
Closing date
Mar 7, 2019

View more

Focus Areas
Civil Rights / Advocacy, Environment
Job Function
Advocacy / Lobbying, Legal
Position Type
Full Time
Degree Level
JD

Earthjustice is now accepting applications for a Staff Attorney to join our team of lawyers and advocates who are using the power of the law to speed the transition of our nation’s energy system away from dirty fossil fuels and to promote clean energy in its stead.  The position will be based in our soon-to-be-opened Chicago office.  

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 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 are in San Francisco with offices in Anchorage, Juneau, Los Angeles, Tallahassee, Miami, Honolulu, New York, Philadelphia, Denver, Seattle, Bozeman, and Washington, DC.

The Coal Program uses hard-hitting litigation and administrative advocacy to work to end our nation’s reliance on dirty, expensive, and outdated coal-fired power, and to transform our country’s energy sector into one that is clean, renewable, and modern.  Our docket includes litigation to secure and strengthen stringent environmental standards for coal plants, lawsuits challenging government or industry failure to implement such standards, and challenges to utility proposals to spend hundreds of millions of dollars or more on aging coal plants rather than investing in clean energy.   Pursuant to our goal of transitioning the nation to 100% clean energy, the Coal Program is also increasingly challenging proposals for new gas-fired power plants. For more information about the Coal Program, please visit http://earthjustice.org/about/offices/coal


Responsibilities

  • Litigate cases from beginning to end, performing all aspects of litigation.
  • Develop litigation and legal advocacy strategies to support program goals.
  • Collaborate and manage relationships with co-counsel, clients, and coalition partners.
  • Cultivate new clients, allies, and coalition partners in support of program goals.
  • Supervise the work of Associate Attorneys and Litigation Assistants.
  • Serve as spokesperson for Earthjustice, clients, and partners.
  • Help develop and execute effective media strategies.
  • Work effectively with other departments within Earthjustice, including Communications, Development, and Policy and Legislation.


Qualifications

  • Law school graduates who are admitted, or willing to apply for admission, to the state bar where they are located.
  • A minimum of 7 years of litigation experience.
  • Excellent litigation skills, including top-notch legal research, writing, and oral advocacy skills, with a strong preference for affirmative litigation experience.
  • Ability to manage a litigation docket effectively, lead a litigation team, and work collaboratively with colleagues and partner organizations.
  • Knowledge and experience in environmental or energy law is a plus.
  • Proficient at working with technical experts.
  • Strong skills in communicating litigation and advocacy goals and messages to the media.
  • Ability to work independently and in collaboration with client partners and staff
  • Strong and demonstrated initiative, good judgment, and work ethic.
  • Ability and willingness to travel as needed for case work, court appearances, and presentations.
  • Commitment to serving the public interest, and a passion for the role of Earthjustice and its mission.
  • 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.

We offer a mission- and employee-focused work environment and a competitive compensation package, including excellent benefits.  Earthjustice is an equal opportunity employer and highly values diversity.


To Apply

Interested candidates should submit a:

  • Resume.
  • Cover letter that addresses (1) why you are drawn to this position and whether there are particular legal, environmental, or justice issues that inspire you; and (2) aspects of your background that demonstrate competence to work with diverse clients and colleagues.  .
  • Writing sample, preferably a legal brief or memorandum that primarily reflects your work.
  • List of three references.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

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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