Staff Attorney, Northern Rockies

The Northern Rockies office of Earthjustice, located in Bozeman, Montana, has an opening for a staff attorney to begin as soon as possible, and no later than summer 2021.

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 and citizens 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.

In the Northern Rockies, we are engaged in litigation focused on protecting and preserving the iconic wildlife species and wild lands of this incomparable region. The Northern Rockies office has played a leading and long-standing role as the last line of defense for the ecosystems encompassing Yellowstone and Glacier national parks, as well as the grizzly bears, wolves, bison and other species that depend upon the integrity of these spectacular areas.

We are equally engaged in the battle to combat global warming by challenging coal mining and coal-fired power plants, ensuring fair opportunities for development of renewable energy sources, and responding to a rapid natural gas development boom that is spreading and raising new environmental protection and human health issues across the Northern Rockies region.

The work of the Northern Rockies office also advocates for environmental interests held by Native American communities and organizations, including work to oppose oil and gas exploration on public national forest lands of extreme cultural and spiritual importance to the Blackfeet people; to protect and restore native wildlife species of environmental and cultural importance to numerous Tribes, such as the grizzly bear and American bison; and to halt proposals for coal mining on lands significant to the Northern Cheyenne in southeast Montana.

We regularly litigate federal and state court cases and administrative proceedings in an effort to defeat the major threats to the region’s ecological integrity. For more information about our office’s work, visit http://earthjustice.org/about/offices/northern-rockies.

For litigators and advocates committed to saving the planet and the people who depend on it, Staff Attorney at Earthjustice is the best job on the planet. Learn more about our Staff Attorney careers and work online here: https://earthjustice.org/about/jobs/staff-attorney

Responsibilities 

• Coordinate community-based environmental advocacy with national strategies and litigation in other program areas, as appropriate.
• Work with clients, other attorneys, experts, and partners to investigate, develop, and litigate cases in a strategic fashion. 
• Collaborate in team problem solving, litigation strategy, project management and trial work.
• Develop new cases in a strategic fashion; conduct factual investigations; develop legal theories; draft pleadings and briefs; and otherwise manage new and existing cases in state or federal courts and administrative agencies.
• Lead complex cases and the full range of litigation tasks, including factual investigation, legal research, discovery, briefing, witness preparation, trials, and oral advocacy, and otherwise manage new and existing cases in state or federal courts and administrative tribunals from beginning to end.
• Supervise the work of associate attorneys, fellows, interns, and litigation assistants, and train and mentor associate attorneys, including by building their litigation skills in the course of legal advocacy.
• Cultivate new allies and engage in partnerships with, and representation of, Tribal entities, community groups, workers, organizations, coalitions, and others.
• Support and contribute to a positive, respectful, supportive, and collegial work environment and help to advance Earthjustice’s efforts to create a diverse and inclusive workplace that centers equity and justice. 
• Serve as a spokesperson for Earthjustice, clients, and partners.
• Help develop and execute effective media and, where appropriate, legislative strategies
• Work collaboratively and effectively with colleagues throughout Earthjustice, including Litigation, Communications, Development, and Policy and Legislation
• Develop and participate in training and professional development opportunities appropriate to the role and the organization.

Qualifications

• Law school graduate admitted, or willing to apply for admission, to the bar of the State of Montana.
• Willing and able to work in our Northern Rockies office.
• Attorney with substantial litigation experience and the ability to litigate cases from beginning to end, independently if necessary. We expect that in most cases a candidate meeting this requirement would have at least six years litigation experience, but candidates with fewer years of experience are welcome to apply so long as they meet this functional requirement.
• Excellent litigation skills, including legal research, writing, analytical, and oral advocacy skills.
• Ability to manage a litigation docket effectively, including ability to work independently and to prioritize tasks and deadlines.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to work well collegially both inside and outside the organization.
• Strong skills in communicating litigation and advocacy goals and messages to the media.
• Ability to work independently and in collaboration with client partners and in leading a litigation team.
• Strong and demonstrated initiative, good judgment, creativity, flexibility, and work ethic.
• Ability and willingness to travel as needed, including for case work, court appearances, and meetings with clients and partners.
• Commitment to serving the public interest and a passion for the role of Earthjustice and its mission.
• An ability and commitment to help create a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work culture that encourages and celebrates differences.
• Willingness and ability to effectively supervise and mentor early career staff in connection with litigation and advocacy projects, and to help foster an inclusive and nurturing work environment.

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 applicants should submit the following via Jobvite:

• Resume
• One or two page cover letter that addresses
  (1) why you are drawn to this position and Earthjustice’s mission, 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.
• Two legal writing samples.
• 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.