The Northern Rockies office of Earthjustice, located in Bozeman, Montana, has an opening for an associate attorney to begin work no later than the summer of 2018.
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 and supporters to engage the critical environmental issues of our time, and bring about positive change. We are here because the earth needs a good lawyer.
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 and supporters 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. We achieve this by hiring people who share a passion for justice and a healthy environment. Our headquarters are in San Francisco with offices in Anchorage, Juneau, Los Angeles, Miami, Tallahassee, Honolulu, New York, Philadelphia, Denver, Seattle, Bozeman, and Washington, DC.
In the Northern Rockies, we are engaged in litigation focused on protecting and preserving the iconic wildlife species and wild lands of this incomparable region. The Northern Rockies office has played a leading and long-standing role as the last line of defense for the ecosystems encompassing Yellowstone and Glacier national parks, as well as the grizzly bears, wolves, bison and other species that depend upon the integrity of these spectacular areas for their survival.
We are equally engaged in the battle to combat global warming by challenging coal mining and coal-fired power plants, ensuring fair opportunities for development of renewable energy sources, and responding to a rapid natural gas development boom that is spreading and raising new environmental protection and human health issues across the Northern Rockies region.
In recent years, the work of the Northern Rockies office has increasingly touched on Native American interests and issues of Indian law, including work to restore wild bison to tribal lands; to oppose oil and gas exploration on public national forest lands of extreme cultural and spiritual importance to the Blackfeet people; and to halt a state proposal to open a massive new coal mine on lands significant to the Northern Cheyenne in southeast Montana.
We regularly litigate federal and state court cases in an effort to defeat the major threats to the region’s ecological integrity and environmental health. For more information about our office’s work, visit:
Responsibilities
Associate attorneys at Earthjustice perform a range of litigation-related tasks that can include:
- Conducting legal research and preparing memoranda on issues relating to ongoing or potential litigation projects.
- Drafting motions, briefs and other pleadings.
- Preparing comments on proposed agency actions and environmental impact statements.
- Presenting oral argument before state or federal courts and making advocacy presentations to agency officials and the public.
- Assisting with discovery.
- Interacting with clients and working with experts to develop a clear understanding of the facts involved in each case and to ultimately support our litigation goals.
- Engaging with a variety of news and social media regarding our work.
- Law school graduates who are admitted, or willing to apply for admission, to the state bar of Montana.
- 0-5 years of litigation and/or clerkship experience.
- Excellent research, critical thinking, writing and oral advocacy skills.
- An excellent academic record.
- Good judgment and a strong work ethic.
- Commitment to environmental protection and justice.
- Ability and willingness to work closely with others in a challenging legal environment and to contribute to the creation of a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work culture.
- An awareness of and sensitivity to the needs and concerns of individuals from diverse cultures, backgrounds, and orientations.
- A sense of humor.
Associate Attorney Program
The associate program is designed to help early-career attorneys develop into thoughtful, professional, and effective advocates skilled in the various aspects of public-interest litigation. The term for the associate position is three years. Some associates have gone on to other positions within Earthjustice, while others use the experience as a springboard to other career opportunities in environmental litigation or other areas.
We offer a mission- and employee-focused work environment and a competitive compensation package, including excellent benefits. Compensation is based on experience. Earthjustice is an equal opportunity employer and highly values diversity.
Application Procedure
Using the online Jobvite portal, please submit a cover letter, resume, law school transcript, two legal writing samples, and three professional references.
If you cannot attach one or more of the requested documents because of a technical difficulty, please email your application to nroffice_jobs@earthjustice.org.
Incomplete applications will not be considered. No telephone calls or drop-ins, please. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Early applications are strongly encouraged.