Associate Attorney, Toxic Exposure & Health

Earthjustice•Washington, DC

8d•$109,100 - $123,300•Hybrid

About The Position

Earthjustice seeks an Associate Attorney to join the Toxic Exposure & Health Program. The attorney will collaborate with litigators, policy experts, communications teams, and scientists to advance a visionary legal advocacy program that seeks to protect people—especially those who are most exposed to chemicals or susceptible to harm—from the most urgent health threats posed by toxic chemical exposures and to place environmental justice and science at the center of U.S. chemicals policy. Earthjustice is the nation’s leading environmental law organization. Wielding the power of law, Earthjustice partners with our clients to take on the most critical fights of our time—fights to protect the incredible biodiversity and wild places of the planet; to avert climate disaster by transitioning society away from fossil fuels toward clean energy; to safeguard the right of all people to a healthy environment. 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, Bozeman, Chicago, Denver, Honolulu, Houston, Juneau, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, Seattle, Tallahassee and Washington, D.C. 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. 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 in a Federal Appeals Court that bars the Environmental Protection Agency from attempting to meet its obligations under the Toxic Substances Control Act by simply nodding to the existence of other environmental statutes; defending against efforts to roll back PFAS limits for drinking water; and in concert with partners successfully engineering the passage and Governor’s signature of a ban on the sale of menstrual products containing intentionally added PFAS, lead, mercury, and other toxics. The Associate Attorney position is a three-year position with the opportunity for extension. Many Associates have gone on to other more senior positions within Earthjustice or have joined other public interest organizations. The Associate Attorney program is designed to help attorneys who are in the early stages of their careers to develop into thoughtful, professional, and effective advocates skilled in the various phases of public interest litigation. The attorney selected for this position will have the opportunity to play a key role in legal actions that can make a real difference to people’s health and well-being, and in the protection of important environmental values. This is a hybrid position based in our Washington DC or New York, NY office and requires regular in-person attendance.

Requirements

Juris Doctorate Required
Law school graduates admitted to, or eligible to apply for admission to, the relevant bar (Washington DC or New York).
1-3 years of post-law school legal experience, with litigation experience preferred.
Excellent research, analytic, writing, and communication skills.
Strong and demonstrated work ethic, good judgment, initiative, and creativity.
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.

Responsibilities

Perform a range of work, in partnership with senior attorneys and professional staff, to 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.
As Associate Attorneys gain experience, their caseload may include cases for which they have primary responsibility under the supervision of a senior attorney, in addition to matters on which they work in a supporting role with senior attorneys.
Work closely with Earthjustice attorneys, scientists, and professional staff to develop and advance litigation and administrative advocacy that serves a diverse set of clients.
Participate in the full range of tasks involved in complex litigation, including factual investigation, legal research and memo writing, drafting pleadings and briefs, and oral advocacy.
Develop and engage in other forms of legal advocacy, including drafting rulemaking petitions, comments to agencies, letters, fact sheets, and other materials; analyzing or drafting proposed legislation; and participating in meetings with clients, coalition partners, and agency staff.
Identify, support, and interact with clients and work with experts to develop a clear understanding of the facts involved in each case and to support our litigation goals.
Represent Earthjustice in meetings with clients, partners, co-counsel, opposing counsel, technical experts, and agency staff.
Handle other legal work to further the goals of the Toxic Exposure & Health Program.
With appropriate training, serve as spokesperson with print and other media.
Assist with hiring and supervision of student law clerks.