Post-Grad Legal Fellowship, Fall 2019

Earthjustice is now accepting applications for candidates interested in seeking post-graduate legal fellowship funded through a law school or other sources to join us in the fall of 2019.

Earthjustice is the premier nonprofit environmental law organization.  We take on the biggest, most precedent-setting cases across the country.  In the United States and around the world, 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, Honolulu, New York, Philadelphia, Denver, Seattle, Bozeman, Miami, and Washington, DC, and an office to open in Chicago in the near future.

Earthjustice has 8 offices accepting fellowship applications:

• California - San Francisco and Los Angeles
• Clean Energy - Washington, DC
• Coal Program - Philadelphia and Chicago
• International - San Francisco
• Northeast - New York
• Rocky Mountain - Denver
• Sustainable Food & Farming Program - New York
• Washington, D.C.

Our Work: Earthjustice uses the power of the law and partnership to advance public health, environmental protection, and equity in federal courts, state public utility commissions, and before federal and state administrative agencies.  Please visit the links listed above to learn more about the litigation dockets of each of our offices and programs that are interested in sponsoring a legal fellow.  While some law school funded fellowships do not require identification of a specific project, if yours does we will consider applicants who already have ideas for projects or who would like to develop a project with Earthjustice’s help.  Project proposals must be consistent with Earthjustice’s mission and the subject matter of the particular program or office to which you are applying. 

Over the span of their fellowship, each legal fellow will work closely with experienced Earthjustice attorneys, policy and communications staff, and clients to develop and implement litigation and advocacy strategies, and will participate in the full range of tasks involved, such as factual investigation, legal research, discovery, briefing, witness preparation, and oral advocacy.

Who We Are Looking For:  Earthjustice seeks highly qualified candidates who possess outstanding legal research and writing skills, are emotionally intelligent, and are capable of working with diverse colleagues, clients, and partners.  Applicants should be third-year law students, judicial clerks, or other recent law school graduates who are eligible for post-graduate fellowships funded by their law school or another third party.  Applicants should have a strong academic record, strong work ethic and sense of initiative, sound and creative judgment, and an ability to work well in a collegial setting.

Acquiring Fellowship Funding:  If selected by Earthjustice, the candidates will be responsible for securing funding from their law school or another source. Fellowship funding typically covers full-time employment over one or two years.  Candidates should identify potential sources of funding before applying but do not need to have secured such funding at the time of their application.  Please note that deadlines for applying for third-party funding vary based on source.
 

To Apply

Interested applicants should submit their application by February 21, 2019.

• Cover letter that addresses: (1) why you are drawn to Earthjustice and whether there are particular legal, environmental, or justice issues that inspire you, (2) the offices and/or programs that you are interested in, and (3) if your fellowship will necessitate identifying a specific project proposal, please note whether you have developed such a proposal (optional to include a short description, no longer than 1 page) or would prefer to develop a project jointly with Earthjustice.
• Resume
• Writing Sample, preferably a legal brief or memorandum
• Law school transcript

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.