Associate Attorney
Location: Seattle, WA
Job Type: Full Time
The Northwest Office opened in Seattle in January 1987 to enable Earthjustice to take a more active role in preserving the unique natural resources and environment of the Pacific Northwest.Since that time, the Northwest office has undertaken campaigns to protect old growth forests, promote salmon recovery, improve water quality, protect Puget Sound, stop coal-fired power plants, address the impacts of pesticides, and respond to climate change, among other things. Although the primary focus of the Northwest office is representing environmental and citizens’ groups in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho, we often take cases with national and international scope. For example, the Northwest office is involved in cases seeking to stop coal exports to China and other countries from ports along the entire west coast as part of its effort to address global warming.
Our office is located in the heart of downtown Seattle near the federal and state courthouses, the waterfront, and historic Pioneer Square. Our goal is to produce the highest quality legal work in
a supportive and cooperative environment.
Associate Attorney Program: The associate attorney program comprises a two-year position generally filled by a lawyer with at least one to two years of litigation or judicial clerkship experience. Associate attorneys work closely with staff attorneys and clients to investigate, develop, and prosecute cases. Associates participate in the full range of tasks involved in complex litigation, including factual investigation, legal research, discovery, briefing, witness preparation, and oral advocacy. Typically, an associate attorney’s case load will include both cases for which he or she has primary responsibility under the supervision of a staff attorney, and cases on which he or she works in a supporting role with staff attorneys.
The associate program is designed to help young attorneys develop into thoughtful, professional, and effective advocates skilled in the various phases of public interest litigation. Many associates have gone on to other positions within Earthjustice or with other conservation organizations.
Applicants for the associate attorney program should have strong academic credentials.
Excellent research and writing skills are essential. Moot court, law review, or other advocacy and writing experience is helpful. Applicants should have a strong work ethic and sense of initiative, sound yet creative judgment, and an ability to work well in a collegial setting. A demonstrated commitment to public interest law and familiarity with environmental and/or administrative law are preferred.
Starting salary is commensurate with experience and we offer an excellent benefits package.
APPLICATIONS
Interested applicants should send a resume, writing sample (preferably a legal brief or memorandum), law school transcript, and references to eajuswa@earthjustice.org (put “Associate Attorney Search” in the subject line) or mail to:
Associate Attorney Search
Earthjustice
705 Second Avenue, Suite 203
Seattle, WA 98104-1711
eajuswa@earthjustice.org
Please, no telephone calls or faxes. Email preferred.
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled; interviews are commonly scheduled in November and December.
Earthjustice is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from women, people of color and other members of under-represented groups who will contribute to the diversity of its staff.
