Associate Attorney, Northwest Regional

The Northwest Office of Earthjustice is looking to hire an Associate Attorney that is available to start between April and October 2022. Although the primary focus of the Northwest office is representing environmental and community groups in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho, we often take cases with national and international scope.  For example, the Northwest office is representing the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe in fighting the Dakota Access Pipeline and is also litigating numerous cases fighting rollbacks of environmental and health protections by the Trump administration, including a reversal of a proposed ban on a dangerous pesticide, chlorpyrifos, and rollbacks of the Clean Water Act, the Endangered Species Act, and the National Environmental Policy Act. 

The Associate Attorney position is a three-year position with the opportunity for extension. Many Associates have gone on to other positions within Earthjustice and with other public interest organizations. The Associate Attorney program is designed to help attorneys who are in the early stages of their careers to develop into thoughtful, professional, and effective advocates skilled in the various phases of public interest litigation. As Associate Attorneys gain experience, they gradually take on more independent responsibility for their cases, but Associates work throughout their tenure under the supervision of a Senior Attorney or the Managing Attorney. 

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. 

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

The Northwest Office opened in 1987 to enable Earthjustice to take a more active role in preserving the unique natural resources and environment of the Pacific Northwest.  Since that time, the Northwest office has undertaken campaigns to protect old growth forests, promote salmon recovery, improve water quality, protect Puget Sound and the Salish Sea and the communities that depend on them, stop coal-fired power plants, prevent the Pacific Northwest from becoming a fossil fuel fossil fuel export hub, and protect farmworkers and communities from toxic pesticides, among other things.  We are building out southern resident orca recovery work and partnerships with environmental justice communities in Seattle and Portland.  We frequently work in close partnership with Native American Tribes and fence-line communities. 

Our office is located in the heart of downtown Seattle near the federal and state courthouses and the water front.  Our goal is to produce the highest quality legal work in a diverse, inclusive, supportive, and collegial environment.   

Due to Covid-19, Earthjustice staff are currently working remotely from approved locations.  

Responsibilities 

Associate attorneys perform a range of litigation and advocacy-related tasks that can include: 

• Work closely with Earthjustice attorneys, scientists, and professional staff to build cases and support policies that serve a diverse set of clients.  

• Participate in the full range of tasks involved in administrative advocacy and complex litigation, including factual investigation, legal research, memo writing, briefing, and oral advocacy. 
• Interact with clients and work with experts to develop a clear understanding of the facts involved in each case and, ultimately, to support our litigation goals.  
• Represent Earthjustice on telephone calls and at meetings with clients, partners, co-counsel, and experts. 
• Develop skills required to serve as spokesperson with print and other media. 
• Assist with hiring and supervision of student law clerks. 

 Qualifications 

• Law school graduate and admitted to, or willing to apply for admission to, the Washington State Bar. 
• 0-5 years of litigation experience. 
• Ability and desire to contribute to the creation of a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work culture that encourages and celebrates differences. 
• Demonstrated awareness of and sensitivity to the needs and concerns of individuals from diverse cultures, backgrounds, and orientations. 

• Excellent legal research, writing, analytical, and communication skills. 
• Strong work ethic, good judgment, initiative, and creativity. 
• Ability to work independently and as a collegial team member. 
• Commitment to public interest work and a passion for the role of Earthjustice and its mission. 
• Contributes to the creation of 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. 

Compensation is based on experience and location. 

Salary Range for Seattle, Washington: $83,000 - $104,400 annually 

To Apply 

Interested applicants should submit via Jobvite: 

• Resume. 
• One-page cover letter that addresses at least the following subjects: (1) your legal skills; (2) your interest in Earthjustice’s mission and any particular legal, environmental, or social justice issues; and (3) aspects of your background that show competence to work with diverse clients and colleagues. 
• Writing sample, preferably a legal brief or memorandum that is either unedited or lightly edited by someone other than you. Please include a cover sheet explaining the extent of editing by someone else. 
• Unofficial Law school transcript; and 
• List of three professional or academic references. 

 For this position, we are looking to hire a candidate that is available to start between April and October 2022 with flexibility. Preference will be given to candidates who apply by January 10, 2021. 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 given 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.