Closing Date: 26th April, 2024
Description:
Earthjustice's Northeast Regional Office is accepting applications for two part-time legal externs for fall 2024. One legal extern will focus generally on the work of the Northeast Regional Office and the other will focus mostly on issues related to safe drinking water. We are seeking current law students who share a passion for justice and a healthy environment, and who are eligible to receive academic credit or fulfill a graduation requirement through this externship. The successful candidate may work remotely or on a hybrid schedule from one of Earthjustice's offices.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; preserve magnificent places and wildlife; advance clean energy; and combat climate change. We partner with thousands of groups, supporters, individuals, and communities to engage in the critical environmental issues of our time and bring about positive change. We are guided by a passionate, ambitious vision for the future for people and our planet: until justice stands for all, we will never rest. We are here because the earth needs a good lawyer.
The Northeast Regional Office is dedicated to protecting public health and the climate and ensuring a healthy environment for all in the Northeast. We litigate and advocate for a just and equitable transition to clean energy and on behalf of communities disproportionately impacted by environmental harms.
Earthjustice also works with communities and other partners throughout the country to advocate for access to safe and affordable drinking water. Earthjustice's drinking water work has included: filing a lawsuit and other legal advocacy concerning the Trump Administration's revisions to the Lead and Copper Rule of the Safe Drinking Water Act; state advocacy to set limits for drinking water on per and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), requiring monitoring of PFAS in industrial discharges, and limiting use of PFAS-containing firefighting foam and gear.
Responsibilities:
Under the supervision of attorneys, the legal externs' tasks may include:
- Conducting legal research and writing to assist in both case development and ongoing active litigation;
- Developing case strategy and legal theories;
- Preparing memoranda, briefs, and motions;
- Meeting with clients and experts;
- Participating in moots of oral arguments; and
- Attending court proceedings and conferences with opposing counsel.
Qualifications:
- Enrolled in law school as a 2L or 3L during fall 2024.
- Must be eligible to receive academic credit or fulfill a graduation requirement through this externship.
- Commitment of at least 12 hours and no more than 20 hours per week for 10-16 weeks.
- Excellent writing, research, analytical and organizational skills.
- Familiarity with legal research tools, including Westlaw.
- Strong work ethic, initiative, and ability to think creatively.
- Ability to work collegially with others and independently.
- Demonstrated interest in environmental protection and environmental justice preferred.
- Significant knowledge of environmental and administrative law is a plus.
Compensation:
Legal externs are unpaid and must receive academic credit or fulfill a graduation requirement for their work with Earthjustice.