Fall 2023 Legal Externship – Northeast Regional Office

Earthjustice’s Northeast Regional Office is accepting applications for two part-time legal externs for fall 2023. One legal extern will focus generally on the work of the Northeast Regional Office and the other will focus mostly on issues related to safe drinking water. We are seeking current law students who share a passion for justice and a healthy environment, and who are eligible to receive academic credit or fulfill a graduation requirement through this externship. The successful candidate may work remotely or on a hybrid schedule from one of Earthjustice’s offices.

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 combat climate change. We partner with thousands of groups, supporters, individuals, and communities to engage in the critical environmental issues of our time and bring about positive change. We are guided by a passionate, ambitious vision for the future for people and our planet: until justice stands for all, we will never rest. We are here because the earth needs a good lawyer.

The Northeast Regional Office is dedicated to protecting public health and the climate and ensuring a healthy environment for all in the Northeast. We litigate and advocate for a just and equitable transition to clean energy and on behalf of communities disproportionately impacted by environmental harms.

Earthjustice also works with communities and other partners throughout the country to advocate for access to safe and affordable drinking water. Earthjustice’s recent drinking water work has included: filing a lawsuit and other legal advocacy concerning the Trump Administration’s revisions to the Lead and Copper Rule of the Safe Drinking Water Act; and state advocacy to set limits for drinking water on per and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), require monitoring of PFAS in industrial discharges, and limit use of PFAS-containing firefighting foam and gear.

Responsibilities:

Under the supervision of attorneys, the legal externs’ tasks may include:

• Conducting legal research and writing to assist in both case development and ongoing active litigation;
• Developing case strategy and legal theories;
• Preparing memoranda, briefs, and motions;
• Meeting with clients and experts;
• Participating in moots of oral arguments; and
• Attending court proceedings and conferences with opposing counsel.

Qualifications:

• Enrolled in law school as a 2L or 3L during fall 2023.
• Must be eligible to receive academic credit or fulfill a graduation requirement through this externship.
• Commitment of at least 12 hours per week for 10-16 weeks.
• Excellent writing, research, analytical and organizational skills.
• Familiarity with legal research tools, including Westlaw.
• Strong work ethic, initiative, and ability to think creatively.
• Ability to work collegially with others and independently.
• Demonstrated interest in environmental protection and environmental justice preferred.
• Significant knowledge of environmental and administrative law is a plus.

Compensation:

Legal externs are unpaid and must receive academic credit or fulfill a graduation requirement for their work with Earthjustice.

To Apply:

Interested candidates should submit the following materials by May 14, 2023 via Jobvite. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Applications will be reviewed beginning May 15 with offers extended no later than July 21.

• Resume
• One-page cover letter that addresses: (1) Why you want to work with Earthjustice’s Northeast Regional office and whether you would prefer to work specifically on safe drinking water issues, (2) Whether you are able to receive academic credit or fulfill a graduation requirement for your work with Earthjustice, (3) The number of hours, or a reasonable estimate, you are available to work per week, (4) Any information about yourself that is not apparent or fully explained in your resume, and (5) An indication of any applicable deadlines or requirements that are relevant to your submission or ability to accept an offer.
• Writing sample, preferably a legal memorandum less than ten pages that primarily reflects your work.
• Finalists will be asked to provide 2 references, including one law professor or legal employer.

Please note that this job posting is for a legal externship and does NOT cover summer positions; there is a separate application process for applicants interested in summer law clerkships with Earthjustice.

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 only considers applications submitted for current openings via Jobvite. Unsolicited resumes or resumes for posted positions that are not submitted via Jobvite will not be reviewed or retained.

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.