Staff Attorney, Community-Based Initiatives

Earthjustice seeks a staff attorney with expertise in laws and regulations pertaining to solid waste management to join our work that prioritizes frontline communities that are burdened with the most pollution and environmental harms while being excluded from environmental benefits provided to other communities. We work with community leaders to challenge the environmental and social status quo, helping communities change the conditions in which they live.

Earthjustice is the premier nonprofit environmental law organization.  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, Bozeman, Chicago, Denver, Honolulu, Juneau, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, Seattle, Tallahassee, and Washington, DC.

While each of our offices work with local communities, the Community-Based Initiatives team consists of five attorneys located in Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., and New York. The staff attorney will add cross-organization capacity, focusing primarily on matters related to the management of hazardous and non-hazardous solid wastes.
 

Responsibilities:

• Develop and execute legal and other advocacy strategies to support communities seeking human health and environmental protections
• Investigate and litigate cases from beginning to end, performing all aspects of litigation, including factual and legal research, drafting pleadings and briefs, and otherwise managing new and existing cases in state or federal courts and administrative agencies
• Expand and deepen Earthjustice’s partnerships with frontline communities
• Collaborate and manage responsibilities with co-counsel, clients, and partners
• Mentor and supervise the work of Associate Attorneys, Law Fellows, and Litigation Assistants
• Help develop and execute effective media strategies
• Work effectively with other departments within Earthjustice, including Communications, Development, and Policy and Legislation
• Support and advance efforts to ensure a diverse, equitable and inclusive work culture that encourages and celebrates differences

Qualifications:

• Law school graduate admitted, or eligible for admission, to the state bar where they are located
• A minimum of 7 years of litigation experience
• Experience with the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act and state solid waste laws.
• Experience with the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act a plus
• Experience with litigation involving toxic and hazardous substances, contaminated-environments, and health injuries related to toxic exposures a plus
• Experience representing or working in partnership with community groups is a plus
• Experience mentoring and supervising others
• Excellent litigation skills, including top-notch legal research, writing, and oral advocacy skills
• Demonstrated ability to manage a litigation docket effectively, lead a litigation team, and work both independently and collaboratively with colleagues, clients, and partner groups
• Proficient at working with technical experts
• Strong and demonstrated initiative, good judgment, and work ethic
• Ability and willingness to travel as needed for case work, court appearances, and meetings with clients and partners.
• 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 social justices 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 professional references.

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.