ASSOCIATE ATTORNEY - CERCLA Litigation & Environmental Practice Support

Kaplan Kirsch LLP•San Francisco, CA

10d•Onsite

About The Position

The firm is seeking a motivated, collaborative environmental associate to support ongoing CERCLA litigation and, as needs and opportunities arise, work in other areas of the firm. The associate will be a member of the environmental and litigation teams, with a near-term focus on CERCLA litigation. The role may also support litigation in energy, transportation, airport, transit, land use, and Native American practice areas. Its primary focus will be non-litigation matters involving environmental, regulatory, and administrative law across the firm’s practice areas, as need and opportunity allow. The associate will work directly with partners and clients and is expected to contribute meaningfully from the outset while building long-term experience. The firm is a fast-growing national boutique serving public and private clients on complex projects involving environmental, energy, land use, conservation, infrastructure, project financing, airport, rail, transit, and tribal law. Associates work closely with experienced attorneys, including colleagues across practice areas, and gain hands-on experience. The firm describes its culture as collegial and collaborative and emphasizes mentoring, professional development, and a supportive path toward partnership. This is a full-time role located in Denver or San Francisco, with an annual expectation of 1,600 billable hours, including an unlimited amount of approved pro bono hours. The salary range is $172,000–$190,000, commensurate with experience.

Requirements

3 to 5 years of relevant litigation and/or environmental law experience, including experience with federal or state environmental, regulatory, or administrative laws; judicial clerkship experience counts.
Exceptional legal research, writing, analytical, and advocacy skills.
Ability to work independently and in a team setting, including directly with partners and clients.
Ability to adapt quickly in a dynamic, fast-paced work environment and manage multiple matters and deadlines.
Action-oriented approach, ownership of work, and interest in personal professional improvement.
Law degree from an accredited law school, with demonstrated academic excellence and leadership.
Admission to practice in a U.S. jurisdiction; California admission is preferred, and willingness to become admitted in California is also considered.

Nice To Haves

Experience with CERCLA or related environmental litigation, including discovery, court hearings, and trials.
Experience working with complex statutory and/or regulatory schemes.
Concrete litigation experience, such as drafting pleadings and motions; managing document discovery; preparing for, taking, or defending depositions; and handling expert witnesses.
Interest in a broad practice and willingness to work on regulatory and administrative law matters beyond environmental litigation.

Responsibilities

Support ongoing CERCLA litigation matters as a member of the environmental and litigation teams.
As needs and opportunities arise, support litigation in other practice areas, including energy, transportation, airport, transit, land use, and Native American work.
Primarily work on non-litigation matters involving environmental, regulatory, and administrative law issues across the firm’s practice areas, as need and opportunity allow.
Work directly with partners and clients.
Manage multiple matters and deadlines, proactively move assignments forward, anticipate next steps, flag issues early, and keep partners and clients informed.

Benefits

Medical insurance
Dental insurance
Vision insurance
Health savings account (HSA)
Flexible spending account (FSA)
Short-term disability insurance (STD)
Long-term disability insurance (LTD)
Group term life insurance
401(k)
Flexible paid time off (PTO)
Parental leave
Subsidized public transportation costs
Unlimited approved pro bono hours count toward the annual billable-hours expectation