Penn State Agricultural Law Center: Staff Attorney

Staff Attorney, Agricultural Law Center

Penn State Law in University Park is seeking a licensed attorney with experience in Pennsylvania agricultural law and Pennsylvania shale law to work in the Agricultural Law Center on a variety of research and outreach projects.  This position reports to and provides support for the Director of the Agricultural Law Center.  This position is responsible for conducting legal research and disseminating legal information to outside stakeholders through a variety of methods including the preparation of written, verbal, and electronic work product.  This position will involve the preparation of work product within a range of substantive topics including Pennsylvania agricultural statutes and regulations, agricultural labor, Chesapeake Bay-related legal developments, Pennsylvania oil and gas law, and other agricultural law and shale law topics.

The minimum requirements for the level 1 position are: a J.D. or LL.B. from an ABA-accredited law school.  Candidates must be admitted to the Pennsylvania Bar or be eligible to become admitted.  Candidates should be knowledgeable about current issues and the relevant stakeholders within Pennsylvania’s agricultural and shale communities.  This position requires excellent communication, writing, and public speaking skills as well as the ability and desire to develop relationships with external stakeholders and Penn State colleagues.  Moderate travel within Pennsylvania may be required.  The candidate must possess a valid driver’s license.  Standard Penn State background checks will be required.  This is a fixed-term appointment funded for one year from date of hire with possibility of re-funding.

Please apply through vacancy #56475 on the Penn State Jobs website via this link:https://psu.jobs/job/56475. Please submit your cover letter and resume.  A law school transcript will be requested of candidates selected to interview.  Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. 

Penn State is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer, and is committed to providing employment opportunities to minorities, women, veterans, disabled individuals, and other protected groups.

CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS:  For more about safety at Penn State, and to review the Annual Security Report which contains information about crime statistics and other safety and security matters, please go to www.police.psu.edu/clery/, which will also provide you with detail on how to request a hard copy of the Annual Security Report.

Global Food Law Research Fellow, Institute for Food Laws & Regulation (IFLR), Michigan State University

The Institute for Food Laws and Regulation (IFLR) in the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition at Michigan State University is seeking a Research Fellow in Global Food Law. This position is a full-time, 12-month fixed-term appointment at the level of academic specialist (research). This is a one-year appointment with a possibility of renewal for a second year subject to funding and needs.

Professional Qualifications: J.D. or other advanced degree related to global food law. Strong writing, research, and communication skills. Keen motivation to learn and succeed professionally. Interest in global food law scholarship and education. Ability to work collaboratively and independently. Time management and project management skills.

Responsibilities: The successful candidate will organize and implement the Global Food Law Summer Seminar, which involves coordinating a series of speakers and logistics for the seminar; complete at least one mentored research project, which culminates in a manuscript of publishable quality; and participate in program outreach online and at conferences and seminars as appropriate. The Fellow will also assist the program director with other projects supporting the Institute for Food Laws and Regulations and the Master Program in Global Food Law at the Michigan State University College of Law.

Salary and Benefits: Salary is competitive and commensurate with education and experience. Michigan State University provides its faculty and academic staff with a variety of benefits, which are among the best in academia. Among the most important are a retirement program, and health, prescription drug, dental, and life insurance coverage.

Application Procedures: Applicants will submit the following: 1) a 1-page letter of intent; 2) a writing sample; 3) a research proposal (in 500 words or less); 4) a detailed curriculum vita; and 5) the names and full contact information for three references.

Applications must be submitted via the MSU Applicant Web page (or search for job 1077 at https://jobs.msu.edu/).

Michigan State University is an Affirmative Action Equal Opportunity Institution.

Programme Assistant, Food & Sustainability/Climate Change

JOB TITLE: Programme Assistant, Food and Sustainability/ Climate Change

LOCATION: Geneva, Switzerland 

DURATION: 1 September 2015 to 31 August 2016 (preceded by ten days preparation in UK from mid-August 2015)

This is an opportunity for a person with an interest in international affairs and in international organizations to experience a range of international work, while working primarily as an assistant to QUNO’s Representative for Food & Sustainability in her work relating to agricultural trade and investment and on intellectual property of plants. The work also includes a support role to QUNO’s Bonn-based Representative for Climate Change, maintaining strong linkages between QUNO’s work in Geneva and in Bonn, contributing to programme outreach, and acting as a Geneva-based presence in meetings where appropriate.

Duties and Responsibilities

The post will comprise two sets of responsibilities as follows:

1) Programme work (approximately 60% of time. 70% of the programme work is estimated to be on food and sustainability and 30% on climate change)

Assisting the Representatives Food and Sustainability and Climate Change. This might include assisting with and supporting QUNO's work relating to agricultural trade; assisting with and supporting QUNO's work relating to innovation and intellectual property in agriculture; acting as active link person between the Representative for Climate Change in Bonn and Geneva based staff, including: facilitating her participation in virtual meetings; making arrangements for her presence at in-person meetings and generally supporting a high level of integration; contributing to programme outreach; and participating in Geneva-based meetings where appropriate; attending UN, NGO and other meetings; representing QUNO at such meetings, as appropriate; assisting in setting up and participating in meetings at Quaker House; writing internal notes and reports and external communications; collecting, reading, analysing, sorting and filing documents; helping to prepare submissions to the UN, and other materials; responding to enquiries by letter, email and telephone.

2) Administrative tasks providing support to QUNO as a whole (approximately 40% of time) assisting with the organization and the logistics of QUNO’s Geneva Summer School assisting in the arrangements for lunches and other events which take place at Quaker House, including cooking and clearing up and other tasks around the House; working with members of staff on general routine clerical duties including minute taking, dealing with filing, the post, photocopying, and all aspects of hospitality; assisting with the maintenance of the QUNO database and other tasks related to QUNO outreach activities; assisting with managing and editing QUNO’s Geneva Reporter.

Closing date for completed applications: 30 March 2015 

Interviews: Expected in London on 13 May 2015

Starting date: 1 September 2015, with a mandatory preparation period in the UK expected to be of ten days and to begin 18 August, for which a small allowance will be paid. The successful candidate will also be encouraged to participate in the QUNO Geneva Summer School (5-16 July 2015) at QUNO’s expense.

TO APPLY

All applications must be made on the QUNO Programme Assistant application form for this position that is available on-line on the QUNO webpage. Your completed form should be sent by email to qunojob2@quno.ch with "Programme Assistant, Food and Sustainability/Climate Change" in the subject line. If you decide to apply for both Programme Assistant positions, you must apply for each one separately using the relevant form. 

All applications will be treated in confidence. Your application will be automatically acknowledged by the email system. While we are grateful for all applications, we regret that beyond this acknowledgement, we can only respond to shortlisted candidates. If you have not been invited to interview by 1 May 2015 please consider that your application has not been successful on this occasion.


View the full job posting here.

Ag Innovations Network: Program Director

Ag Innovations Network is seeking a Program Director to lead our efforts in developing and implementing creative projects to strengthen food systems in California and beyond. 

The Program Director will utilize their entrepreneurial and collaborative spirit to discern and take advantage of opportunities for Ag Innovations Network to apply its unique approach to solution creation. Ag Innovation Network’s core change method is creating and facilitating dynamic coalitions of leaders to uncover solutions as powerful as the challenges we face. The Program Director will work in partnership with our process and facilitation team to create and lead these projects and coalitions, assuring that they are responsive to the challenges being faced, fulfilling the expectations of funders, and advancing a sustainable food system. 

Position Description

The Program Director will lead our Regional Food Systems Program, and will be responsible for identifying food systems related project opportunities, assessing their feasibility, and directing them through the development phase into implementation.  

Specific duties of the Program Director include, but are not limited to:

• Planning, delivering, and evaluating food systems related projects that align with the mission of Ag Innovations Network.
• Fostering strong and collaborative relationships with a range of leaders to identify critical needs and challenges, and develop the partnerships, approaches, and strategies needed for positive change in the food system.
• Developing and maintaining a current and in-depth knowledge and understanding of the issues, developments, methods, and players relevant to project topic areas.
• Collaborating with the Ag Innovations Network facilitation team in the design of innovative and effective social innovation processes and meetings (both virtual and face-to-face) that accomplish the projects’ objectives.
• Developing informational and educational products related to the projects, including meeting results, final reports and white papers, conference presentations and webinars, etc.
• Developing outreach, implementation, and communication strategies for effective and impactful dissemination of project findings and results, and collaborating with partners and Ag Innovations Network team members on implementing these.
• Helping to develop grants and contract funding resources to advance program priorities, and satisfying all reporting requirements of funders.
• Participating as a member in the Ag Innovations Network learning community and actively contributing to that community about what is working and is needed in the field.
• Participating as a team member on other Ag Innovations Network projects.

About Ag Innovations Network

Ag Innovations Network brings leaders together to create a better food system for people, business, and the environment. We are trusted facilitators and process designers with deep food system knowledge and an extensive network of practitioners, professionals, and advocates in agriculture and natural resource management. We combine our expertise, knowledge, and network to stimulate creativity and spur collaborative innovation and impact. Ag Innovations Network (http://aginnovations.org) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1999.

We lead coalitions working both at the intersection of agriculture and the environment (the California Roundtable on Agriculture and the Environment, and the California Roundtable on Water and Food Supply), and on human systems (such as the Regulations Affecting Agriculture project and the California Ag Workforce Housing & Transportation project). We also consult and work in local communities on regional food system issues, train transformative leaders in collaborative change-making, consult as facilitators to a variety of public- and private-sector food-related clients, and act as a fiscal sponsor agency to a number of other related initiatives across the country, including the Sustainable Food Lab and the Academy for Systemic Change.

Location

Ag Innovations Network is located in Sebastopol, California, about an hour’s drive north of San Francisco. The work environment is challenging, learning, collaborative, fun, and intentional. This region has a rich agricultural heritage owing to its climate and soils, and its diverse landscapes make for some of the most stunning scenery and best outdoor recreation opportunities in the world. While the region is famous for its world-class wines, it is also an epicenter for the local, organic, sustainable food movement.  

Application Process

Apply by submitting a letter explaining how and why you can effectively develop and manage multi-stakeholder initiatives to create a better food system for all (cover letter); a curriculum vita or resume; and the names and contact information for three professional references to jobs@aginnovations.org. This position is open until filled, however, applications received by April 3rd will get first priority screening.

Harvard Food Law and Policy Clinic: 2015 Clinical Fellow

The Harvard Food Law and Policy Clinic, a division of the Center for Health Law and Policy Innovation of Harvard Law School, is seeking a Clinical Fellow to start in summer or early fall 2015.

Duties & Responsibilities:

Reporting to the Director of the Food Law and Policy Clinic, the Fellow will work independently and with the Director, staff, and students on a broad range of international, federal, state, and local policy projects addressing the health, environmental, and economic impacts of our food system. FLPC projects make cutting-edge policy recommendations to increase access to nutritious food for individuals and families, reduce diet-related diseases, and assist small-scale and sustainable food producers in participating in markets.

FLPC’s projects fall into four main categories: Food Policy Councils and Food Systems Planning; Food Access and Obesity Prevention; Food Waste; and, Sustainable Food Production. Some current and past Clinic projects include:

• Assisting with the development and research needs of state and local food policy councils;
• Conducting training for food policy councils and other community coalitions to better understand the legal and policy context and achieve their food system goals;
• Commenting on major federal regulations, such as the Food and Drug Administration rules implementing the Food Safety Modernization Act;
• Identifying and promoting creative policies to reduce the 40% of food that goes to waste in the United States; and
• Researching and recommending policies that all levels of government can use to improve the foods served in schools.

As the FLPC is a division of the Center for Health Law and Policy Innovation, the Fellow will also work closely will staff and students throughout the Center, including on projects at the intersection of health and food law and policy.

                                 

The Fellow’s work will entail, but is not limited to:

• Serving as the lead attorney on one or several projects, which includes managing and directing the day-to-day project work;
• Managing client and partner relationships on the projects the Fellow oversees;
• Working closely with students on the projects the Fellow oversees;
• Assisting with development of the classroom courses offered in conjunction with the Clinic;
• Delivering presentations of our work to local and regional food policy groups and at national conferences;
• Undertaking various administrative tasks within the Clinic, including event planning, communications, development, and other tasks that arise; and
• Helping to set and implement the vision for the ongoing development and success of the Clinic.

                      

Qualifications:

JD required, earned within the last three years. Successful candidates should possess the following skills and attributes: strong writing, research, and communication skills; keen motivation to learn and achieve superior professional practice and mentoring of students; creative problem-solving skills and demonstrated ability to work innovatively within broad program goals; strong sense of self-motivation and entrepreneurial mindset; strong organizational, time management, and project management skills; demonstrated leadership experience; ability to work independently, as well as in teams, and in demanding and periodically high stress circumstances; and relevant academic or professional experience.

Note: This is an expected two-year fellowship, subject to funding and departmental needs.

Additional Information:

Established in 2010, the Harvard Food Law and Policy Clinic addresses the health, environmental, and economic consequences of the laws and policies that govern our food system. The FLPC utilizes substantive expertise in food law and policy and a robust policy skill set to assist nonprofit and governmental clients in a variety of local, state, federal, and international settings in understanding and improving the laws impacting the food system. As the oldest food law clinical program in the United States, the FLPC is a pioneer in the field of food law and policy, and serves as a counselor and model for lawyers and law schools entering this field. The FLPC is a division of the Harvard Law School Center for Health Law and Policy Innovation.

Law students enrolled in the Clinic get hands-on learning experience conducting legal and policy research for individuals, communities, and governments on a wide range of food law and policy issues. The FLPC has trained dozens of clinical students at HLS, as well as many interns, volunteers, and pro bono students from Harvard and other schools across the United States. Working in the FLPC allows students to provide public service as law students, while honing their legal skills in order to continue addressing food policy concerns and other pressing social issues post-graduation.

FLPC projects have seen a high level of success, including passing new legislation, regulations, and ordinances at the state and local levels; providing legal and policy trainings to a broad range of community and advocacy groups; and participating in key dialogues about improving the food system at all levels of government.

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

To apply: http://hls.harvard.edu/dept/hr/jobs-at-hls/; Requisition #35181BR

Earth Justice: Litigation Operations Manager

Litigation Operations Manager

VP of Litigation | San Francisco, CA, United States

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The Litigation Operations Manager is responsible for overseeing the effective creation and functioning of information and administrative systems in support of Earthjustice’s litigation practice. The position will manage litigation operations, including system oversight, administrative project planning, time and billing reporting, enhancement of existing processes and procedures, information and system quality control, and other general litigation operation functions. This position reports to the VP of Litigation and the SVP of Operations and serves as a member of the Operations department management team.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND FUNCTIONS

• Lead projects designed to improve work flows, strengthen compliance and support the litigation functions of the organization.
• Investigate and carefully apply useful technology tools to all phases of the litigation lifecycle, including litigation support, case management, time tracking, billing and reporting.
• In partnership with IT, lead transition to new case information database, including implementing work flows and ensuring quality of data migration.
• Manage proper administration of case information database, including department-wide functioning, information quality control and efficient processes.
• In partnership with Finance, improve time tracking and billing procedures and practices, introducing new tools and systems as needed.
• Manage department-wide document administration and retention process, improving consistency of systems and work flows.
• Liaise with Office Managers, Managing Attorneys and other regional office staff to gain feedback on operations performance and to develop business process improvements and tools to support litigation needs, such as e-discovery support and complex Word tools.
• Gather, maintain and interpret case information for reporting needs of the VPs of Litigation and President.
• Contribute to better internal communication by supporting intra- and inter-departmental information sharing through Sharepoint-based intraweb, email and other tools.
• Negotiate and manage Westlaw account and other department resources, as needed.
• Serve as primary point of contact for operations projects within the litigation practice, as needed.
• Maintain familiarity with trends in law practice administration and advise VPs, Managing Attorneys and Litigation staff on opportunities for improvements to Earthjustice Litigation department functioning.
• Maintain a familiarity with Litigation department substantive issues for purposes of supporting department information, reporting and operational functioning needs.
• Contribute to and support plans for lawyer and litigation support staff training.
• Manage and coordinate litigation administrative support staff needs, as needed.
• Develop, track and manage litigation operations budgets and associated contracts and services.
• Depending on experience, this position may supervise projects and other efforts performed on assigned issues by Assistants, Interns or Contractors.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field plus a minimum of five years of relevant work experience required.
• B.S. in Business Administration and/or advanced degree in law or related field a plus.
• Expert technical specialist with seasoned knowledge of all aspects of business planning, project management, work flow planning, budgeting and financial management.
• Certification or training in project management desired.
• Strong knowledge of case management, tracking and billing systems and litigation support software a must; proficient knowledge of TimeSlips a strong plus
• Understanding of law firm operations and the litigation process.
• Superb project management skills, attention to detail and the ability to meet tight deadlines.
• In-depth proficiency with Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Adobe Reader, and Acrobat. Working knowledge of Access, HTML and project management software
• Demonstrated experience developing, implementing and tracking budgets.
• Ability to organize, prioritize and manage multiple tasks, sometimes under time pressure and facing unexpected challenges, with excellent results.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Focus and attention to detail, including the management of complex information.
• Ability to take change in stride, overcome obstacles and adapt to unforeseen conditions; successful at on-the-fly adaptation when needed.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and good judgment about people and situations
• Persuasiveness and ability to influence others to achieve goals.
• Ability to maintain confidences and confidential information.
• Excellent written and in-person communications skills.

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 candidates should submit a resume and cover letter.

NO TELEPHONE CALLS WILL BE ACCEPTED. 

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.

Earth Justice: Legal Extern, Wa. D.C.

Legal Extern

Washington, DC | Washington, DC, United States

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Earthjustice is now accepting applications for a full- or part-time externship position in its Washington, D.C., office for Spring 2015. This position is designed for a current or recent law student (with academic credit or academic fellowship) who is seeking the opportunity to volunteer for at least 20–40 hours per week for a short-term period of 3 months or more on a variety of environmental litigation projects.

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, 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. Our headquarters are in San Francisco with nine regional offices across the U.S., including the Washington, D.C. Office.

Earthjustice’s Washington, D.C. Office serves both as a regional office for issues arising in the mid-Atlantic states, and as a center for litigation on important national environmental issues. The D.C. Office’s docket currently includes litigation to: protect public health and the environment from toxic air pollution; prompt the regulation and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions; protect streams, wetlands, drinking water supplies, and other waters from pollution and outright destruction; compel the federal government to improve its management and protection of our ocean resources; advance energy efficiency and clean energy solutions; and challenge the federal government's practice of allowing mountaintop removal mining in the Appalachian region. For more information about the office’s work, visit: http://earthjustice.org/about/offices/dc.

Responsibilities: 

Externs work with attorneys on case development and litigation. Under the supervision of an attorney, an extern’s primary responsibilities are to perform legal and factual research, and to develop case strategy and legal theories. Externs may also have the opportunity to assist attorneys with preparing briefs and motions, to meet with clients and experts, to participate in moots of oral arguments, and to attend court proceedings and conferences with opposing counsel.

To Apply:

Applications are welcome from current or recent law students with academic credit. There is no available compensation, salary, or benefits for externs.

Candidates interested in the Washington, D.C., position should sumbit a letter of interest that states the applicant’s dates of availability and describes the applicant’s current or potential status as a current or recent law student participating in a program for credit or an academic fellowship, with resume, law school transcript, writing sample, and list of 3 professional references.

Please, no phone calls. 

Application Deadline:

Applications will be considered on a rolling basis for Spring 2015.

Earthjustice Values:

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

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Earth Justice: Associate Attorney

Associate Attorney

Alaska | Anchorage or Juneau, AK, United States

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The Alaska office of Earthjustice is seeking applications for an Associate Attorney position.

The core issues of the Alaska office docket are protection of the Alaska coastal rain forest, safeguarding of America’s Arctic, conservation of the Bering Sea and Gulf of Alaska marine ecosystem, action to combat climate change and limit its effects, wildlife conservation, protection of lands and waters from mining activities, air and water quality enforcement, and national park and other public lands management. Our clients include national, regional and local conservation organizations, Alaska Native tribal organizations, ecotourism businesses, and communities, as well as other organizations concerned about enforcing the laws to protect the environment.

Responsibilities: 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, permits, and environmental review documents;
• Investigate facts and assist with case development; 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.

Qualifications: Applicants must be law-school graduates who are admitted to or will apply for admission to the Alaska bar. Additional qualifications include:

• Excellent legal research, writing, and analytical skills;
• Strong self-motivation;
• An ability and willingness to work closely with others;
• A commitment to public interest work and the role of Earthjustice and its mission; and
• Preferably, one to three years of litigation or other relevant experience post law school.

The Alaska office has locations in Juneau and Anchorage.

The term for this position is two years, with a possible extension for a third year.

Earthjustice’s compensation is based on experience, is competitive with other non-profit organizations, and includes an excellent benefits package.

To Apply:
Please include a cover letter explaining your interest in and qualifications for the associate position, a resume, a legal writing sample (not to exceed 10 pages), an unofficial copy of your law school transcript and contact information for three references.

If you cannot attach one or more of the requested documents because of a technical difficulty with the form below, please email the attachments to jobs@earthjustice.org.  In your email, please indicate which job you are applying for and which web browser you used, including the version number if possible.  Also, briefly describe the technical problem you encountered.  This will help us ensure that the web interface is working smoothly and your application is considered.

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.

Link to Application: 

http://earthjustice.org/about/jobs

Fair Food Standards Council: Human Rights Attorney

HUMAN RIGHTS ATTORNEY

FL
GA
SC
NC
VA
NJ 

FAIR FOOD STANDARDS COUNCIL

www.fairfoodstandards.org

Date Posted: 02/26/2015
Job Type: ATTORNEY
Schedule Type: Full Time

Practice Areas: Alternative Dispute Resolution/Negotiation/Mediation, Employment/Labor, Farm Worker/Migrant Worker, Human Rights, Immigration, International Law, Non-Profit, Poverty, Women's Rights

Job Description

About FFSCThe mission of the Fair Food Standards Council (FFSC) is to monitor the development of a sustainable agricultural industry that advances both the human rights of farmworkers and the long-term interests of growers through implementation of the Fair Food Program (FFP), a unique worker-led, market-driven social responsibility program which emerged from the Coalition of Immokalee Workers’ successful Campaign for Fair Food. The FFP has become the gold standard for social responsibility in US agriculture, recognized by longtime labor and human rights observers as “the best workplace monitoring program in the US” and “one of the great human rights success stories of our day.”

To learn more, please see the FFSC’s annual report or the New York Times’ 2014 article on the Fair Food Program.

About the PositionAttorneys make findings of fact and apply the Fair Food Code of Conduct to those facts, draft comprehensive reports, negotiate corrective action plans; carry out complaint intake, investigation and resolution through negotiation or formal decision drafting; conduct legal research; prepare memoranda of law on issues affecting farmworker rights; and make presentations to staff and director, as well as the public.

FFSC is based in Sarasota, FL, with work-related travel throughout the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic. Salary and benefits are competitive within the non-profit sector. 

Qualifications

• Fluency in Spanish or Haitian Creole;
• Strong communication and interviewing skills;
• Strong writing and documentation skills, including attention to detail;
• Ability to connect facts and discern patterns;
• Ability to interact well with people of different nationalities, gender, and education levels;
• Comfort working in rural areas, including onsite at farms (outdoors);
• Willingness to work irregular hours and “do what is necessary”;
• Ability to work well as part of a team, as well as independently;
• Discipline and initiative; and
• Valid drivers’ license. 

Application Instructions:

Applicants should send a resume/CV and a cover letter indicating interest in the position to Judge Laura Safer Espinoza at info@fairfoodstandards.org. The subject line of the email should read FFSC Attorney Position. Applications will be accepted until the positions are filled.

The FFSC is an equal opportunity employer committed to developing a workforce that reflects and can relate easily to the diverse populations involved in the Fair Food Program.

United Food and Commercial Workers Union: Summer 2015 Law Clerk

SUMMER 2015 LAW CLERK

Washington, DC
Application Deadline: 05/29/2015

UNITED FOOD AND COMMERCIAL WORKERS UNION (UFCW)

http://www.ufcw.org

Date Posted: 03/03/2015
Job Type: INTERNSHIP - Paid
Schedule Type: Internship

Practice Areas: Administrative Law, Employment/Labor

Job Description

Background:As the largest private sector labor union in North America, the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW) represents more than 1.3 million workers in the United States and Canada.Its members are employed principally in retail food stores; food processing, packing and manufacturing plants; department and drugs stores; and distillery and chemical industries.

Job Description:Law clerks provide legal writing and research support to in-house and outside attorneys on a wide variety of issues and cases, including labor, employment and related court and administrative proceedings.Law clerks work closely with attorneys.We endeavor to involve law clerks as much as possible in discussions with attorneys and union representatives so that they have an understanding of how their work fits into a particular case, or in the development of overall strategies for organizing and representing workers.Law clerks will be permitted to use papers they draft for writing samples where appropriate. 

Qualifications

Strong analytical abilities and effective oral and written communication skills. Commitment or interest in labor or employment law, or the labor movement, economic change, and social justice is preferred.Completion of one year of law school.

Salary

$20.00 per hour; Availability to work full-time hours (35-40 hours/week) preferred.

Application Instructions:

Summer 2015, with possible extension to work part-time through fall and beyond.**PLEASE SUMBIT A WRITING SAMPLE following your cover letter in the designated cover letter field when submitting your information on the following page.

Submit resume, cover letter and writing sample to: http://www.dcjobs.com/apply.asp?jid=10572167

UFCW is an equal opportunity employer.Women and people of color are encouraged to apply.Reasonable accommodations will be provided pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). 

Application Deadline: 05/29/2015

Government Accountability Counsel: Food Integrity Campaign Counsel

FOOD INTEGRITY CAMPAIGN COUNSEL

Washington, DC
Application Deadline: 04/15/2015

GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY PROJECT

www.whistleblower.org

Date Posted: 03/04/2015
Job Type: ATTORNEY
Schedule Type: Full Time

Practice Areas: Administrative Law, Animal Rights, Employment/Labor, Environmental, Farm Worker/Migrant Worker, Food & Drug Law, Litigation

Job Description

The Ideal Candidate is:

A high achiever and exceptional mind in investigation and litigation with outstanding writing and interpersonal skills. A driven individual who is looking to build on the impact of courageous whistleblowers and work in a small but powerful organization.

Top 5 Reasons You Should Come Work with Us:

1. You want to hold government and corporations accountable. Reporting crimes should not be a crime.
2. You want to support whistleblowers, and improve whistleblower protections to enable more truth-tellers to come forward safely, and help them to speak out through the use of strategic litigation.
3. You want to be responsible for taking on cases and building a docket.
4. You want to work with an inspiring team of dedicated lawyers and advocates on a wide range of food issues.
5. You have an interest in food related issues and a desire to improve the current system.

Qualifications

Responsibilities:

·         Identify and investigate issues related to transparency and accountability in the food industry

• Meet with potential clients. This includes national travel.

·         Conduct investigations, interview whistleblowers, take statements, and draft affidavits. Provide thorough factual and legal research and analysis in pleadings, memoranda and other written documents.

• Establish and maintain weekly contact with sources who provide information about ongoing food integrity issues
• Research and track federal and state legislation affecting public and environmental health, worker’s rights, and animal welfare

·         Understand relevant case law, or are capable of becoming well versed in the relevant area(s) of law.

• Organize discovery documents, interrogatories and other discovery materials
• Prepare and file legal documents.
• Consult regularly with program staff

Employment Requirements

• Minimum 3 years litigation experience.  Employment law and jury trial experience are a plus.
• Must be licensed to practice in the District of Columbia or eligible for admission soon after hire.

Other Qualifications

• Ability to work and communicate effectively with a team.
• Facility with drafting and/or editing memoranda, briefs, and other legal documents.
• Familiarity with Freedom of Information Act
• Comfortable working with diverse groups of individuals from a variety of different backgrounds.      

Salary

Salary commensurate with experience. GAP offers a generous benefits package.

Application Instructions:

Email your resume and cover letter to amandah@whistleblower.org

Contact Information:

Amanda Hitt
Phone: 12024570034159
amandah@whistleblower.org
1612 K St. NW
Washington, DC 21211

Application Deadline: 04/15/2015

FDA: Summer Internship 2015

SUMMER 2015 INTERNSHIP

Silver Spring, MD
Application Deadline: 04/03/2015

U.S. FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION ( FDA ) - OFFICE OF THE CHIEF COUNSEL

Date Posted: 03/05/2015
Job Type: INTERNSHIP - Unpaid
Schedule Type: Internship

Practice Areas: Food & Drug Law, Government/Regulatory Affairs

Job Description

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Center for Drug Evaluation (CDER), Office of Regulatory Policy (ORP), has a summer internship position available for a law student (2L or 3L) beginning in May 2015.  The legal intern will be assigned a mentor and will work with ORP staff on regulatory projects involving the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act) and other applicable Federal statutes and regulations.  Work assigned to the intern will vary and may include legal research, memorandum writing, and related tasks.

ORP provides oversight and leadership within CDER in the development of regulations, policies, procedures, and guidances that affect the drug approval process, and develops detailed responses to citizen petitions submitted to CDER.

To be eligible for the internship program, the candidate must be in good academic standing and be available to work at least 16 hours per week.  A successful candidate will possess strong legal research and writing skills, as well as the ability to effectively communicate in a team-oriented environment.  Although not required, experience with the FD&C Act and administrative/regulatory law is a plus.

Qualifications

Current law students.

Application Instructions:

To apply for the internship, interested candidates should provide a current resume and a copy of their most recent transcript.  Please have all application packages sent to the following email address: CDER-ORP-AMT@fda.hhs.gov.   All application packages must be received by ORP no later than Friday, April 3, 2014.

Application Deadline: 04/03/2015

Public Justice Foundation: Food Safety Attorney

FOOD SAFETY ATTORNEY

Washington, DC 

PUBLIC JUSTICE FOUNDATION

http://www.publicjustice.net

Date Posted: 03/06/2015
Job Type: ATTORNEY
Schedule Type: Full Time

Practice Areas: Administrative Law, Food & Drug Law, Impact Litigation

Job Description

Public Justice, a national public interest law firm dedicated to pursuing justice for the victims of corporate and government abuses, seeks to hire a litigator with at least five years of relevant experience. The attorney will work exclusively on our Food Safety and Health Project, which uses litigation to reform harmful practices employed by industrial animal agriculture and to support a more sustainable and humane food production system. The Project principally focuses on using environmental and tort law actions to force large-scale animal agribusiness to internalize the true cost of the way they do business—costs now shifted to neighboring communities, consumers, and the environment. The position is funded by way of a three-year grant and open immediately.

The Food Safety Attorney will primarily be responsible for developing and prosecuting precedent-setting and socially-significant lawsuits against agribusiness actors nationwide. The attorney should be prepared to develop new legal theories outside of environmental law, and think holistically about how to reform the industry. Other duties will include networking with attorneys and other public interest groups; helping to develop and define strategic goals; and supporting fundraising and communication efforts for the organization. The right candidate will be a top-notch litigator with environmental and tort law experience, who is a creative and strategic thinker able to work both independently and within teams.

The Food Safety Attorney will work closely with Food Safety & Health Attorney Jessica Culpepper and report to the Executive Director. He or she will work collaboratively with Public Justice’s attorneys, outside lawyers who support Public Justice’s work, and other public interest groups in order to develop and bring precedent-setting food safety cases. He or she will also use traditional and social media networks to publicize our work, develop speaking engagements to educate the public about Public Justice’s food safety cases and the issues they represent, and assist with donor and foundation relations and communications.

Qualifications

• A law degree and at least five years of litigation experience;
• Superb analytical, legal research, and legal writing skills;
• Excellent communication and public speaking skills;
• Experience in environmental law;
• Experience in tort law, and specifically nuisance cases;
• Ability to develop a case from the ground up with little supervision;
• Willingness to undertake significant business travel;
• Ability to juggle multiple tasks at a time and work in a fast-paced environment;
• Self-motivation and proven ability to work independently;
• Ability to work well with others and diverse groups; and
• Healthy sense of outrage and desire to change the world for the better.

Application Instructions:

E-mail to:staffattorney@publicjustice.net

Your application should consist of two electronic files: (1) your cover letter, resume, and references in a single .pdf file; and (2) a writing sample in another .pdf file, comprised of a legal brief for which you were the primary author (please note the contributions of others).

Your application should consist of two electronic files. Please send both files.