Earthjustice is seeking qualified applicants for a Healthy Communities Associate Attorney position to begin work in 2018. The position will be based in Earthjustice’s offices in New York, NY.
The Associate Attorney program is a three-year position designed to help early-career attorneys 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 they work throughout their tenure under the supervision of a Staff Attorney or the Managing Attorney. Many Associates have gone on to other positions within Earthjustice or with other public interest organizations. The attorney selected for this position will focus on litigation and advocacy centered around our Healthy Communities program. The Healthy Communities program is at the heart of Earthjustice’s mission to defend the right of all people to a healthy environment and encompasses Earthjustice’s work on clean air, clean water, toxic chemicals, waste facilities, pesticides, and sustainable agriculture. We are building our capacity to promote improved public health and to support and defend communities against the disproportionate impact of environmental harms.
The Northeast Office handles a range of Healthy Communities cases involving, among other things, fighting for stronger federal protections against toxic substances; holding government agencies accountable for actions that subject already overburdened communities to further environmental injustices; and developing strategies that significantly reduce health, environmental, and climate harms in the production of our food and make healthy food more available and affordable for all. Our goal is to produce the highest quality legal work in a diverse, inclusive, supportive, and collegial environment.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Work closely with Staff Attorneys and clients to investigate, develop, and prosecute cases.
- Participate in the full range of tasks involved in complex litigation, including factual investigation, legal research and analysis, development of legal theories for advocacy and litigation, discovery, briefing, and oral advocacy.
- Assume increasing levels of responsibility for case management and client relations, as skills grow. Conduct and participate in outreach and strategic visioning with local community groups.
- Participate in communications strategies around Healthy Communities campaigns.
- Help to build productive legal teams and to foster an inclusive, supportive, and collegial environment.
- Join efforts to recruit, hire, and retain a diverse staff, including legal clerks and full-time employees.
- Law school graduate with up to two years of legal experience and strong interest in litigation. Admitted to, or willing to apply for admission to, the New York State Bar.
- Excellent research, analytic, writing and communication skills.
- Strong work ethic, initiative, sound yet creative judgment.
- Strong desire to fight for the right of all to a healthy and sustainable environment.
- Ability to work well in a team-oriented atmosphere.
- Commitment to serving the public interest.
- Demonstrates an awareness and sensitivity to the needs and concerns of individuals from diverse cultures, backgrounds and orientations.
- Contributes to the creation of a diverse, equitable and inclusive work culture that encourages and celebrates differences.
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.
- One- or two-page cover letter that addresses at least the following subjects: (1) why you are drawn to Earthjustice’s mission and whether there are particular legal, environmental or justice issues that inspire you; and (2) aspects of your background that demonstrate competence to work with diverse clients and colleagues.
- Writing sample, preferably a legal brief or memorandum that primarily reflects your work.
- Law school transcript.
- List of three references.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
Please reach out to jobs@earthjustice.org if you are having technical difficulties submitting your application. No phone calls, drop-ins, or hard copies.