| Job Description: |
Earthjustice is seeking an Associate Attorney to join the Toxic Exposure & Health Program. The work of the Toxic Exposure & Health Program is at the heart of Earthjustice’s mission to defend the right of all people to live, work, and raise children in a healthy environment. The attorney selected for this position will work closely with other professionals (attorneys, scientists, policy analysts, communications experts) seeking to protect families, communities, and populations—especially those most overburdened or susceptible to harm—from toxic chemicals in the workplace, in consumer products, in the built environment, and in the outside environment. The attorney also will partner with Earthjustice staff who focus on securing clean air, clean water, and sustainable food and agriculture. The successful candidate will be housed in our New York City office (though will work remotely while these offices are closed due to COVID-19), and may be called on to litigate around the country. We are seeking someone to start in April 2021.
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.
Exposure to toxic chemicals is linked to chronic diseases and health conditions, many of which are on the rise as toxic exposures have increased. The goal of the Toxic Exposure & Health Program is to use litigation and other legal advocacy to ensure that all people have safe workplaces and neighborhoods, access to safe drinking water and food, and live in homes that are free of hazardous chemicals. In recent years, attorneys doing this work have won a groundbreaking lawsuit requiring EPA to improve its lead hazard standards, successfully petitioned the Consumer Product Safety Commission to ban a toxic class of flame retardants in consumer products, prevailed in a challenge to rules that would have allowed EPA to ignore the risks posed by legacy uses of toxic substances, such as lead in drinking water pipes, when it conducts chemical risk evaluations, and sued the United States Department of Defense for incinerating toxic PFAS chemicals without environmental review.
Our goal is to produce the highest quality legal work in a diverse, inclusive, supportive, and collegial environment.
Responsibilities:
Work closely with Staff Attorneys, professional staff and clients to investigate, develop, and litigate cases.
Participate in the full range of tasks involved in complex litigation, including factual investigation, legal research, discovery, briefing, witness preparation, and oral advocacy.
Develop and engage in legal advocacy, including draft and review legislation; draft rulemaking petitions, comments to agencies, letters, fact sheets and other materials; and participate in coalition meetings and events.
Handle other legal work to further the work of the Toxic Exposure & Health program.
Engage with clients, coalition partners, and experts.
Hire and supervise law students who work at Earthjustice as interns or clerks.
Associate attorney positions are 3-year terms with the possibility of promotion to a senior associate attorney position with an additional 3-year term. Associate attorneys often move into other positions within the organization, while others take their experience and apply it in impactful careers outside of Earthjustice.
We offer a mission-focused work environment and a competitive compensation package, including excellent benefits. Earthjustice is an equal opportunity employer and highly values diversity. |
| Job Requirements: |
Qualifications
Law school graduate and admitted to, or willing to apply for admission to, the New York State Bar.
At least two years of litigation experience is strongly preferred, with a maximum of 5 years.
Science background preferred.
Excellent research, analytic, writing and communication skills.
Strong work ethic, initiative, sound judgment.
Demonstrates an awareness 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. |
| How to Apply |
To Apply
Interested candidates should submit the following materials here: https://app.jobvite.com/j?cj=oYBmefwT&s=Gwen_S._Cherry_Black_Women_Lawyers_Association
Resume
One or two page cover letter that addresses (1) why you are drawn to working to reduce human exposures to toxic chemicals; and/or, (2) any experiences you have working with people or communities from backgrounds that differ from your own or with those who have been disproportionately affected by environmental harms.
Writing sample, preferably a legal brief or memorandum that primarily reflects your work. Please include a cover sheet explaining the extent of editing by someone else.
Law school transcript.
List of three references with contact information.
Earthjustice brings our associate attorneys on board on a quarterly schedule during the months of January, April, June and September.
For this position, we are looking to hire a candidate that is available to start in April 2021. Please apply by February 26, 2021. After that, applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
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. |
