Description:
Earthjustice seeks an associate attorney to join our Community Partnership Program (CPP), which works with frontline communities disproportionately burdened by pollution and environmental harms. We work with community groups to challenge the environmental and social status quo, supporting communities as they work to change the conditions in which they live. Associate attorneys work closely with affected communities on a range of environmental issues, including hazardous waste and toxic air pollution. This position is based with CPP in Los Angeles, but will also work in collaboration with CPP teams based in New York and Washington, D.C.Earthjustice is the nation's leading environmental law organization. Wielding the power of law, Earthjustice partners with our clients to take on the most critical fights of our time—fights to protect the incredible biodiversity and wild places of the planet; to avert climate disaster by transitioning society away from fossil fuels toward clean energy; to safeguard the right of all people to a healthy environment. 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, Houston, Juneau, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, Seattle, Tallahassee and Washington, D.C.
The Associate Attorney position is a three-year position with the potential for extension, 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 work throughout their tenure under the supervision of Senior Attorneys, Deputy Managing Attorneys, or the Managing Attorney. Many Associates have gone on to other positions within Earthjustice and with other public interest organizations.
This is a hybrid position based in our Los Angeles office and requires in-person attendance.
Responsibilities:
Associate Attorneys perform a range of work, in partnership with senior attorneys and professional staff, to investigate, develop, and prosecute administrative appeals and litigation including: factual investigation, legal research, case development, record review, client engagement and development, expert evidence and witness development, motions practice and brief writing, oral advocacy, and appellate advocacy.
As associate attorneys gain experience, their case load may include cases for which they have primary responsibility under the supervision of a senior attorney, in addition to matters on which they work in a supporting role with senior attorneys. Specific responsibilities include:
- Conducting legal and factual research and preparing memoranda on issues related to ongoing or potential new cases.
- Reviewing and analyzing administrative records and technical documents.
- Drafting motions, briefs, and other legal and factual documents in support of litigation.
- Participating in proceedings before federal and state courts and agencies.
- Working with clients and experts and learning how to handle press work.
- Hiring and supervising law students who work at Earthjustice as interns or clerks.
Qualifications:
- Law school graduate admitted to the California State Bar*
- If you are awaiting July 2025 CA Bar results, we encourage you to apply
- 0-3 years of post-law school legal experience.
- Excellent research, analytic, writing and communication skills.
- Strong work ethic and initiative, and sound yet creative judgment.
- Strong desire to fight for the right of all to a healthy environment.
- Ability to work constructively and in a highly professional manner in a diverse, dynamic, and hard-working team-oriented atmosphere.
- Commitment to public interest work and a passion for the role of Earthjustice and its mission, including a desire to fight for the right of all to a healthy environment.
- Emotional intelligence and sensitivity to the needs and concerns of individuals associated with diverse cultures, backgrounds and orientations.
- Ability and willingness to travel as needed for case work, court appearances, and presentations.
Compensation is based on experience and location.
Salary range in Los Angeles, CA: $105,000 - $117,100
