| Job Description: |
Earthjustice is seeking a Senior Attorney to join its Midwest Regional Office in Chicago, IL. The Midwest Regional Office works across all three of Earthjustice’s program areas—climate, healthy communities, and lands and wildlife. Our work includes cases opposing pipelines and mining that will have devastating impacts on the environment and tribal interests; and fighting for clean air, soil, and water. We are committed to working with communities across the Midwest with special attention to Detroit, Chicagoland including Northwest Indiana, and St. Louis. The attorney selected for this position will have the opportunity to contribute to the strategic growth of our docket, including developing litigation and advocacy seeking to protect families, communities, and populations—especially the most overburdened communities. In addition, the attorney will help develop the Midwest work safeguarding health and the environment from toxic chemicals, including in our homes and schools.
Earthjustice is the premier nonprofit environmental law organization. We take on major precedent-setting cases across the country. We wield the power of law and the strength of partnership to protect people’s health, preserve magnificent places and wildlife, advance clean energy, and combat climate change. We partner with thousands of groups, supporters, individuals, and communities to engage 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.
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, Honolulu, New York, Philadelphia, Denver, Miami, Seattle, Bozeman, Chicago, and Washington, DC.
For litigators and advocates committed to saving the planet and the people who depend on it, 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
Earthjustice’s senior attorneys are experienced attorneys who, on behalf of our clients, develop, file, and litigate cases that align with the goals and needs of the program or regional office in which they work. Some senior attorneys have fewer than ten years of litigation experience while others have been with us for decades, and many are nationally-recognized leaders in their fields. We compensate our staff attorneys based on their geography and years of legal experience.
Our practice increasingly emphasizes a mentorship culture for staff at all levels, and we expect that every staff attorney will help nurture the development of early career attorneys and other staff. Senior attorneys also supervise associate attorneys, fellows, and litigation assistants in connection with their work on particular projects and will be asked to serve as the formal supervisor for one or more team members.
Responsibilities:
Develop cases and legal advocacy strategies, in coordination with clients, other attorneys, experts, and partners, to support the goals of the Midwest Regional Office and Earthjustice’s strategic vision.
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 from beginning to end.
Supervise the work of associate attorneys, fellows, interns, and litigation assistants, and train and mentor associate attorneys, including by building their litigation skills in the course of legal advocacy.
Collaborate in team problem solving, litigation strategy, project management and trial work.
Cultivate new allies and engage in partnerships with, and representation of, Tribal entities, community groups, workers, advocacy organizations and coalitions, and others.
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 equity and justice.
Help develop and execute effective media and, where appropriate, legislative strategies and serve as a spokesperson for Earthjustice, clients, and partners.
Work collaboratively and effectively with colleagues throughout Earthjustice, including team members in the Litigation, Communications, Development, and Policy and Legislation departments.
Develop and participate in training and professional development opportunities appropriate to the role and the organization. |
| Job Requirements: |
Qualifications:
Law school graduates who are admitted to or able to join the IL Bar.
A minimum of five years of litigation experience, including significant lead counsel experience.
Excellent research, analysis, writing, and oral advocacy skills.
Demonstrated ability to think strategically and to implement collective plans.
Initiative, good judgment, a collegial work style, strong work ethic, and interest in continued professional growth.
Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to work well collaboratively both inside and outside the organization.
Strong skills in communicating litigation and advocacy goals and messages to the media.
Ability to work independently and in collaboration with client partners and leading a litigation team.
Ability and willingness to travel as needed, including for case work, court appearances, and meetings with clients and partners.
Commitment to serving the public interest and a passion for Earthjustice and its mission.
Commitment to growing a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work culture that encourages and celebrates differences.
Demonstrated awareness and sensitivity to the needs and concerns of individuals from diverse cultures, backgrounds, and orientations.
Willingness and ability to effectively supervise and mentor early career staff in connection with litigation and advocacy projects, and to help foster an inclusive and nurturing work environment.
A commitment to and passion for public interest work.
Formal management experience is a plus.
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.
Salary is based on number of years of litigation experience and location.
Salary range in Chicago, IL for 5+ years of experience: $138,035+ |
| How to Apply |
Interested applicants should submit the following via Jobvite here: https://app.jobvite.com/j?cj=ooLhffwp&s=Gwen_S._Cherry_Black_Women_Lawyers_Association
Resume
One or two page cover letter that addresses
(1) why you are drawn to this position and Earthjustice’s mission, and whether there are particular legal, environmental, or justice issues that inspire you; and (2) aspects of your background that demonstrate competence to work with diverse clients and colleagues.
Two legal writing samples.
List of three professional references.
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. |
