Associate Attorney, Clean Energy Program

Earthjustice•Chicago, IL

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

Earthjustice seeks an Associate Attorney to join its Clean Energy Program. This role focuses on litigation, advocacy, and strategy before state public utility commissions, administrative bodies, and courts to support an equitable transition to clean, affordable, and reliable energy. The work involves combatting fossil-fuel-fired generation and addressing emerging climate threats. Earthjustice is the nation's leading environmental law organization, dedicated to protecting biodiversity, averting climate disaster, and safeguarding the right to a healthy environment. Founded in 1971, Earthjustice has a strong track record of achieving lasting environmental protections. The Associate Attorney position is a three-year term with the possibility of extension, designed to develop early-career attorneys into skilled public interest advocates. Earthjustice values diversity and strives for excellence, partnership, justice, and inclusion in a supportive and collegial environment. The position is based in one of the Clean Energy Program's home offices: New York, NY; Washington, D.C.; Philadelphia, PA; Chicago, IL; San Francisco, CA; or Los Angeles, CA. The team operates on a hybrid schedule.

Requirements

Juris Doctorate Required
Licensed to practice law in the US jurisdiction in which the attorney will be located, or a willingness and qualifications to apply for membership within fourteen months of employment.
0-3 years of litigation and legal advocacy experience.
Excellent research, analytic, writing, and communication skills.
Strong and demonstrated work ethic, good judgment, initiative, and creativity.
Interest in working on novel legal and factual issues at the intersection of technological advancements and the environment.
Ability to work constructively and in a highly professional manner in a diverse, dynamic, and hard-working team-oriented atmosphere.
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.
Emotional intelligence and sensitivity to the needs and concerns of individuals associated with diverse cultures, backgrounds and orientations.
Ability and willingness to travel as needed for case work, court appearances, and presentations.
Demonstrated awareness and sensitivity to the needs and concerns of individuals from diverse cultures, backgrounds, and orientations.

Nice To Haves

Energy advocacy experience preferred.

Responsibilities

Investigate, develop, and prosecute administrative appeals and litigation, including factual investigation, legal research, case development, record review, client engagement and development, expert evidence and witness development, motions practice and brief writing, oral advocacy, and appellate advocacy.
Work closely with Earthjustice attorneys and professional staff to investigate, develop and advance litigation and administrative advocacy that serves a diverse set of clients.
Participate in the full range of tasks involved in energy advocacy and litigation, including factual investigation, legal research and analysis, memo and brief writing, expert testimony, and hearings.
Engage in proceedings before state and federal courts, public utility commissions, and other administrative tribunals.
Represent Earthjustice at remote and in-person venues and meetings with clients, partners, co-counsel, opposing counsel, technical experts, and agency staff.
Prepare comments on proposed agency actions, permits, and environmental review documents.
Assist in reviewing and/or drafting policies including regulations, legislation, etc., in tandem with legal advocacy, to address cutting-edge environmental issues.
Support efforts to ensure a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work culture that encourages and celebrates differences.
Develop skills required to serve as a spokesperson to media.
Participate in hiring and supervision of student law clerks and externs.