Earthjustice Associate Attorney

Associate Attorney, Alaksa

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• Office: Alaska

• Department: Legal

Location: Anchorage, AK, Juneau, AK

Job Type: Full Time

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The Alaska office of Earthjustice is seeking applications for a fall 2012 vacancy for a staff or associate attorney position in our Alaska region. Earthjustice’s mission centers on protecting people and natural resources by enforcing and strengthening environmental laws and providing clients with the best legal representation and related advocacy.

The core issues of the Alaska office docket are the protection of the Alaska coastal rain forest, protection of sensitive areas in northern Alaska from oil and gas development, conservation of the Bering Sea and Gulf of Alaska marine ecosystem, wildlife conservation, air and water quality enforcement, national park and other public lands management, and protection of lands and waters from mining activities. Our clients include national, regional and local conservation organizations, traditional Alaska Native tribal organizations, ecotourism businesses, and communities, as well as other organizations concerned about enforcing the laws to protect the environment.

A staff attorney is responsible for developing, coordinating, and pursuing strategic litigation in federal and state courts. To be considered for a staff attorney position, the candidate must have

• five or more years of litigation experience, preferably in environmental law,
• the ability to manage a litigation docket independently,
• a demonstrable passion for enforcing and strengthening environmental laws,
• excellent legal research and writing skills,
• self-motivation, and
• an ability and willingness to work closely with others.

The associate attorney program affords junior attorneys the opportunity to spend two to three years working with staff attorneys on our litigation docket. Several of our past associates have remained with Earthjustice or have joined other conservation organizations. Among other responsibilities, the associate will conduct legal research and prepare memoranda on issues relating to ongoing or potential litigation projects; draft motions, briefs and other pleadings; prepare comments on proposed agency actions and environmental impact statements; assist with discovery; and interact with clients and work with experts. The associate attorney may have primary responsibility for some matters, but will generally work collaboratively with other lawyers in the office.

To be considered for an associate attorney position, the candidate must have

• experience or education in environmental and administrative law,
• excellent legal research, writing and analytical skills,
• strong self-motivation,
• an ability and willingness to work closely with others,
• a commitment to environmental protection, and
• preferably, have completed post law school a judicial clerkship or have one to three years of experience in environmental law or general litigation post law school.

Timely admission to the Alaska bar is essential. The Alaska office has locations in Juneau and Anchorage and this position may be placed in either location. Earthjustice’s compensation is based on experience, is competitive with other non-profit organizations, and includes an excellent benefits package.

We strongly prefer to receive applications by email at akoffice@earthjustice.org. Please include a cover letter explaining your interest in either the staff or associate level position and your location preference, a resume, a legal writing sample (not to exceed 10 pages) and three references. Candidates for the associate level should also include a copy of their law school transcript; unofficial is sufficient. For additional information you may contact us by email at akoffice@earthjustice.org.

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, genetic information or any other factor that is not related to the position.

http://earthjustice.org/about/jobs/14274/associate-attorney-alaksa