Senior Attorney, Clean Energy

Earthjustice seeks a Senior Attorney to join our growing team of lawyers who work to accelerate a shift from coal- and gas-fired electricity generation, and to advance clean energy throughout the country. The Senior Attorney will focus on litigation, advocacy and strategy before state public utility commissions, state and federal administrative bodies, and in state and federal courts in support of an equitable transition to clean, affordable, and reliable energy.

Earthjustice is the nation’s leading environmental law organization. Wielding the power of law, Earthjustice partners with our clients to take on the most critical fights of our time—fights to protect the incredible biodiversity and wild places of the planet; to avert climate disaster by transitioning society away from fossil fuels toward clean energy; to safeguard the right of all people to a healthy environment. 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, Bozeman, Chicago, Denver, Honolulu, Houston, Juneau, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, Seattle, Tallahassee and Washington, D.C.

Earthjustice’s Clean Energy Program litigates and advocates in state and federal courts and before energy regulators across the country to advance an equitable clean energy transition. Our work includes expanding and increasing access to clean energy resources, including energy efficiency, solar, wind, demand response, and storage; advancing electrification; and opposing efforts to build new gas-fired power plants. We represent diverse clients individually and as part of coalitions.

This position can be performed from any of Earthjustice’s offices, with a preference for the position to be in one of our primary program offices (New York City, Philadelphia, Chicago, Washington DC, Los Angeles, or San Francisco).

Responsibilities

• Lead complex climate and energy cases before state public utility commissions, state and federal agencies, and state and federal courts.
• Lead litigation and advocacy efforts, and perform the full range of litigation tasks, including conducting factual investigations, developing legal theories, securing expert testimony, submitting comments, petitions, briefs, and oral arguments.
• Collaborate in team problem solving, litigation strategy, and project management.
• Prepare discovery, pleadings, testimony, cross-examination, briefs, and oral arguments in state and federal regulatory proceedings and court proceedings.
• Collaborate with and oversee the work of technical experts.
• Work with our media and policy and legislation teams, as well as clients and partners, to leverage legal advocacy to obtain positive change and results.
• Supervise and mentor Associate Attorneys, interns, and litigation assistants.
• Collaborate and manage relationships with co-counsel, clients, and coalition partners to investigate, develop, and litigate cases.
• Join other staff in long-term planning, strategy development, goal setting, and work plan management that advances Earthjustice’s work.
• Build and maintain effective working relationships with new and diverse clients and other partner organizations.
• Serve as spokesperson for Earthjustice, clients, and partners and help develop and execute effective media strategies.
• Support and contribute to a positive, respectful, supportive, and collegial work environment and help to advance Earthjustice’s efforts to create a diverse and inclusive workplace that centers around equity and justice.

Qualifications

• Law school graduate admitted, or eligible for admission to the applicable bar within 14 months of employment.
• 6+ years of litigation and legal advocacy experience, working both independently and in a coalition setting, and a background in energy law is strongly preferred.
• Licensed to practice law in the US jurisdiction in which the attorney will be located, or a willingness and qualifications to apply for membership within fourteen months of employment.
• Ability to develop cases, manage a litigation docket effectively, lead a litigation team, and work collaboratively with colleagues and partner organizations.
• Creativity, initiative, good judgment, and strong work ethic.
• Ability to work effectively with technical experts, especially with respect to new technologies and emerging climate and health threats.
• Excellent research, analytic, writing, and communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and in collaboration with others
• Ability and willingness to travel as needed for case work, court appearances, and presentations.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to build relationships and work collaboratively with a diverse set of clients and partner organizations.
• Demonstrated awareness and sensitivity to the needs and concerns of individuals from diverse cultures, backgrounds, and orientations.
• Able to contribute to the creation of a diverse, equitable and inclusive work culture that encourages and celebrates differences.
• Commitment to public interest work and a passion for the role of Earthjustice and its mission, including a desire to fight for the right of all to a healthy environment.

Salaries at Earthjustice are determined by experience level and location.

For litigators and advocates committed to saving the planet and the people who depend on it, being a Senior Attorney at Earthjustice is the best job on the planet. Learn more about our Senior Attorney careers and work online here: https://earthjustice.org/about/jobs/senior-attorney

Interested candidates should submit a:

• Resume.
• One- or two-page cover letter that addresses (1) why you are drawn to Earthjustice’s mission and (2) any experience you have working on energy, environmental or administrative issues, or why you are interested in this work.
• Writing sample, preferably a legal brief or memorandum that reflects your own work.

Please reach out to jobs@earthjustice.org if you are having technical difficulties submitting your application. No phone calls, drop-ins, or hard copies.

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, gender expression, genetic information, or any other factor that is not related to the position.

For positions located within the City and County of San Francisco: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment-qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

For positions located within the City of Los Angeles: We will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring.

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