Call for Applications for a Resident Attorney
Fair Shake is looking for bright, motivated, and entrepreneurial attorneys who want to build or join small or solo environmental law practices for modest means clients in the Appalachian Basin region. We are hiring attorneys interested in increasing access to justice in environmental matters and public participation in environmental decision-making.
Deadline to apply: January 12, 2018
Deadline to apply: January 12, 2018
Essential Functions of Resident Attorneys
Working under the direct supervision of a Supervising Attorney, the Resident Attorney represents and counsels modest means clients in the Appalachian Basin. While practicing law at Fair Shake, Resident Attorneys spend a substantial amount of time training in advanced lawyering skills, business planning, and alternative practice areas to prepare the attorney for a sliding scale law practice outside of Fair Shake. The Resident Attorney position involves client interviewing and counseling, legal analysis, factual investigation, trial preparation, collaborative case theory development, and problem-solving. The Resident Attorney will handle matters covering the full reach of environmental law practice.
Resident Attorneys will be part of a legal team in either Pennsylvania or Ohio dedicated to providing environmental legal services to modest means clients. Residents will build a client base geared toward their own environmental practice goals while training in the business of a law practice serving modest means clients. Resident Attorneys will spend time every week on both case development and business planning. Resident Attorneys are expected to work to start-up or join an environmental practice within the Appalachian Basin to serve sliding-scale clients in at least 50% of their practice after spending 2 years at Fair Shake ELS. Options will exist for continued support from the Fair Shake after their 2-year residency period.
Resident Attorneys will work on a diverse scope of environmental matters, but may focus in areas of desired practice development. Anticipated case matters include permit appeals, civil litigation, citizen suits, permit and rule comments, administrative petitions, land use hearings, gas lease reviews and negotiations, compliance counseling, community educational presentations, and opinion letter development.
Desired Skills and Qualities
- Training and experience in the full spectrum of environmental and administrative legal issues;
- Training in client interviewing and counseling, administrative procedure, and trial advocacy;
- Experience and training in legal drafting, research, and effective communication;
- A strong interest in starting a small environmental legal practice in the tri-state region;
- Demonstrated effectiveness in both collaboratively- and independently-produced work product and performances; and
- A commitment to Fair Shake’s mission.
To Apply
To apply, please submit a letter of interest, your CV or résumé, and a writing sample to:
Emily A. Collins
Executive Director and Managing Attorney