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 to engage on 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, Tallahassee, Miami, Honolulu, New York, Philadelphia, Denver, Chicago, Seattle, Bozeman, and Washington, DC.
Our healthy communities work is at the heart of Earthjustice’s mission to defend the right of all people to a healthy environment. This encompasses work on clean air, clean water, toxic chemicals, pesticides and waste facilities. The attorney selected for this position will focus on local enforcement, litigation and other legal advocacy driven by the concerns of communities and partners in the region, particularly in South Florida. For more information on Earthjustice’s Healthy Communities work, click here.
This position will be based in Miami. The Staff Attorney will collaborate with Florida staff in both Miami and Tallahassee on the office’s other environmental litigation as needed. To learn more about the Florida Regional Office, click here.
Our goal is to produce the highest quality legal work in a diverse, equitable, inclusive, supportive, and collegial environment. The Florida Regional Office (Miami and Tallahassee combined) has a staff of 12, consisting of 8 attorneys, 1 research and policy analyst, 2 litigation assistants, and a legal practice manager. We also have a communications strategist based in Tallahassee and a major gifts officer based in Miami.
Responsibilities
- Help expand our outreach to and partnerships with environmental justice groups and others advancing the rights of disproportionately burdened communities, especially in South Florida community-based groups.
- Coordinate community-based environmental advocacy with national strategies and litigation in other program areas, as appropriate.
- Work with clients, other attorneys, experts and partners to investigate, develop, and litigate cases in a strategic fashion.
- Lead complex cases and the full range of litigation tasks, including factual investigation, legal research, discovery, briefing, witness preparation, trials, and oral advocacy, and otherwise manage new and existing cases in state or federal courts and administrative tribunals.
- Collaborate in team problem solving, litigation strategy, project management and trial work.
- Train and mentor associate attorneys, including by building their litigation skills in the course of legal advocacy.
- Supervise the work of associate attorneys, interns and litigation assistants.
- Manage relationships with outside co-counsel, clients and coalition partners.
- 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.
- Support efforts to ensure a diverse, equitable and inclusive work culture that encourages and celebrates differences.
Qualifications
- Lawyer with at least six years of litigation experience who is admitted, or willing to apply for admission, to the Florida bar.
- Experience in environmental justice, public health, or public interest law preferred.
- Excellent research, analytic, writing and communication skills; trial skills preferred.
- Experience partnering with environmental justice, community-based or other grassroots groups.
- Ability to work both independently and in collaboration with others.
- Initiative, good judgment, and a strong work ethic.
- Ability to travel as needed for case work, court appearances and presentations.
- Demonstrates an awareness of 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.
- 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.
Salary depends on experience and location.
Salary range in Miami, Fl: $126,225+
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.
For litigators and legal advocates committed to saving the planet and the people who depend on it, Staff Attorney at Earthjustice is the best job on the planet. Learn more about our Staff Attorney careers and work online here: https://earthjustice.org/about/jobs/staff-attorney.
To Apply
Interested candidates should submit a:
- Resume
- One or two page cover letter that addresses (1) why you are drawn to Earthjustice’s mission; and/or, (2) any experiences you have working with people and communities who have been disproportionately affected by environmental harms or other injustice.
- Writing sample, preferably a legal brief or memorandum that primarily reflects your work.
- Law school transcript.
- List of three references.
Click here to apply: https://app.jobvite.com/j?cj=oE5rdfw7&s=AABE
Please reach out to jobsearthjustice.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.