ASSOCIATE ATTORNEY - CERCLA Litigation & Environmental Practice Support

Kaplan Kirsch LLP•Denver, CO

10d•$172,000 - $190,000•Onsite

About The Position

The firm is seeking a motivated, creative, and collaborative environmental associate to support ongoing CERCLA litigation matters and, as needs and opportunities arise, other areas of the firm. The attorney will join environmental and litigation teams, with a near-term focus on CERCLA litigation and the primary focus on non-litigation matters involving environmental, regulatory, and administrative law across the firm’s practice areas. The role may also support litigation matters involving energy, transportation, airports, transit, land use, and Native American work. The associate will work directly with partners and clients and may have meaningful involvement from the outset. The firm is a national boutique serving public and private clients, including states, local governments, Native American tribes, airports, transit agencies, and nonprofit organizations. Associates collaborate across practice areas and sectors, work closely with experienced lawyers, and receive mentoring and opportunities for professional development, including a supportive path toward partnership. This is a full-time position based in Denver or San Francisco. Associates have 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

Three to five 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 as part of a team, 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, proactive communication, and interest in 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.
Work primarily on non-litigation matters involving environmental, regulatory, and administrative law issues across the firm’s practice areas, as needs and opportunities allow.
Support litigation matters in other practice areas, potentially including energy, transportation, airport, transit, land use, and Native American work.
Work directly with partners and clients.
Manage multiple matters and deadlines and proactively move assignments forward.
Keep partners and clients informed, flag issues early, and anticipate next steps.

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
Subsidy for certain public transportation costs
Unlimited approved pro bono hours count toward the annual billable-hour expectation