ASSOCIATE ATTORNEY - CERCLA Litigation & Environmental Practice Support

Kaplan Kirsch LLP•Denver, CO

11d•$172,000 - $190,000•Onsite

About The Position

The firm is seeking a motivated, collaborative environmental associate to support ongoing CERCLA litigation and, as needs and opportunities arise, other areas of the firm. The associate will be a key member of the environmental and litigation teams, with a near-term focus on CERCLA litigation. The role may also support litigation involving energy, transportation, airports, transit, land use, and Native American work. The primary focus will be non-litigation matters involving environmental, regulatory, and administrative law issues across the firm's practice areas, as required and as opportunities allow. The associate will work directly with partners and clients and will have the opportunity to contribute meaningfully from the outset while building experience. 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 work collaboratively across practice areas and sectors, receive hands-on experience, and benefit from mentoring and a supportive path toward partnership. This is a full-time position located 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. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision coverage; HSA and FSA; short- and long-term disability insurance; group term life insurance; a 401(k); flexible PTO; parental leave; and subsidies for certain public transportation costs.

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 in a team setting, including directly with partners and clients.
Ability to adapt quickly in a dynamic, fast-paced environment and manage multiple matters and deadlines.
Action-oriented approach, including taking ownership of work, anticipating next steps, flagging issues early, keeping partners and clients informed, and seeking professional improvement.
Law degree from an accredited law school, with demonstrated academic excellence and leadership.
Admission to practice in a U.S. jurisdiction.

Nice To Haves

Admission to practice in California, or willingness to become admitted in California.
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.
Support litigation matters in other practice areas, including energy, transportation, airport, transit, land use, and Native American work, as needs and opportunities arise.
Work primarily on non-litigation matters involving environmental, regulatory, and administrative law issues across the firm's practice areas.
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.
Participate in approved pro bono work, which counts toward the annual billable-hours expectation.

Benefits

Medical insurance
Dental insurance
Vision insurance
Health Savings Account (HSA)
Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
Short-term disability insurance
Long-term disability insurance
Group term life insurance
401(k)
Flexible PTO
Parental leave
Subsidies for certain public transportation costs
Unlimited approved pro bono hours included in the annual billable-hours expectation