Special Counsel

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 seeks experienced attorneys to lead litigation and legal advocacy to defend gains and advance solutions across our Climate & Energy, Healthy Communities, and Lands, Wildlife and Oceans portfolios. This includes:

• Protecting our public lands and waters from harmful exploitation;
• Preventing dangerous rollbacks of health and safety standards;
• Defending biodiversity and iconic public lands and waters;
• Advancing a clean energy transition and reducing greenhouse gas emissions;
• Improving air and drinking water quality;
• Enforcing pollution control laws; and
• Assisting recipients of federal grants and contracts aimed at addressing climate change, environmental injustice, pollution, and toxic exposures.

Duration: These are term positions. Earthjustice will employ successful applicants for a period of two years from their start date, with the potential for six-month term extensions based on mutual interest.

Location: We prefer applicants willing to work a hybrid schedule based in one of Earthjustice’s sixteen offices, but will consider applicants who wish to work remotely.

Reporting: Earthjustice will offer successful applicants a position with one of our litigation teams based on the organization’s needs and the applicant’s geographic preference and subject matter expertise.

Responsibilities

• Develop and lead litigation in federal and state courts to advance Earthjustice’s mission.
• Conduct administrative advocacy before federal agencies and state and local governments.
• Develop and execute other types of advocacy campaigns in collaboration with other Earthjustice attorneys as well as Earthjustice lobbyists and communications staff.
• Collaborate with co-counsel in other organizations and oversee the work of outside experts.
• Join other Earthjustice staff in planning and strategy development as appropriate.
• Train and mentor colleagues and provide supportive and constructive feedback.
• Help create a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace, and work with colleagues, clients, and partners in a manner consistent with those efforts.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctorate (JD) degree from an ABA accredited law school.
• Active bar membership in working location.
• 8+ years of litigation experience preferred. This must include experience as lead counsel.
• Excellent legal research, writing, and oral advocacy skills.
• Initiative, judgment, a collegial work style and a strong work ethic.
• Ability and willingness to travel for case work and internal meetings.

Preferred:

• Experience representing NGO, tribal, and frontline community clients.
• Expertise in relevant areas of law consistent with the portfolios outlined in the position summary preferred.

We offer a competitive salary and excellent benefits that are comprehensive and competitive. We also offer a congenial, flexible, hybrid work environment and a casual dress code. As a 501(c)(3) organization, Earthjustice is a qualifying employer for purposes of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program.

Salaries at Earthjustice are determined by experience level and working location. Remote applicants should indicate in their application the city and state from which they will be working to confirm the salary range of that location.

• Salary range in San Francisco, CA and New York, NY:  $179,000 - $207,100
• Salary range in Sacramento, CA; Massachusetts; Washington, D.C.; Chicago, IL; Seattle, WA; Los Angeles, CA; and Honolulu, HI: $170,100 - $196,700
• Salary range in Juneau, AK; Anchorage, AK; Denver, CO; and Philadelphia, PA: $161,100 - $186,400
• Salary range in Miami, FL; Austin, TX; Tallahassee, FL; Maine; Albany, NY; Bozeman, MT, and New Orleans, LA: $152,200 - $176,000
• Remote salary range will vary between $152,200- $207,100 depending on location and experience.

To Apply

Submit via Jobvite by May 4, 2025:

• 1-2 page resume that includes sample matters (name and docket number) that you have litigated.

• 2-3 page cover letter. The letter should describe:

• The reasons you are interested in working Earthjustice;

• The location or locations where you would prefer to work, your preferences regarding in-office work, and any particular requirements or flexibility on these issues;

• Your strengths, expertise, and specific areas of interest within Earthjustice’s mission portfolio. (You can learn about our work from our website.)

• Two legal briefs or motions written primarily by you, preferably in a matter in which you were lead counsel.

Preference will be given to candidates who apply by May 4, 2025. After that, applications may be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Preference for candidates willing and able to work hybrid in our 16 offices, but consideration will be given to remote workers in exceptional circumstances. Must be willing to travel as needed.

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, inclusion, 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 given 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.

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