Associate Attorney, Northwest Regional Office
About The Position
The Northwest Office of Earthjustice seeks an Associate Attorney to join their team in Seattle. This office, established in 1987, focuses on preserving the unique natural resources, wildlife, and communities of the Pacific Northwest through campaigns protecting old growth forests, promoting salmon recovery, safeguarding Puget Sound, preventing fossil fuel exports, and advancing a clean energy future. The role involves expanding climate and clean energy work and strengthening partnerships with environmental justice communities in the Seattle and Portland areas, often in collaboration with Native American Tribes and fence-line communities. Earthjustice is the leading environmental law organization, using legal power to protect biodiversity, wild places, avert climate disaster, and ensure the right to a healthy environment. Founded in 1971, Earthjustice has a history of achieving significant environmental protections by hiring passionate individuals. The Associate Attorney position is a three-year role with potential for extension, designed for early-career attorneys to develop into skilled public interest litigators under the supervision of senior staff. While the primary focus is on Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and northern California, cases can have national scope, including litigation on environmental reviews, species protection, and pesticide bans. This is a hybrid position (2-3 days per week in office) based in Seattle, requiring regular in-person attendance near federal and state courthouses. The office aims for high-quality legal work in a diverse, inclusive, supportive, and collegial environment.
Requirements
- Law school graduate and admitted to, or willing to apply for admission to, the Washington State Bar.
- 0-6 years of litigation experience (2026 Graduates welcome to apply)
- Excellent research, analytic, writing and communication skills.
- Strong work ethic and initiative, and sound yet creative judgment.
- Strong desire to fight for the right of all to a healthy 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.
Nice To Haves
- Preference will be given to candidates who apply by October 4, 2026.
Responsibilities
- Conducting legal and factual research and preparing memoranda on issues related to ongoing or potential new cases.
- Reviewing and analyzing administrative records and technical documents.
- Drafting motions, briefs, and other legal and factual documents in support of litigation.
- Participating in proceedings before federal and state courts and agencies.
- Working with clients and experts and learning how to handle press work.
- Hiring and supervising law students who work at Earthjustice as interns or clerks.
Benefits
- Competitive compensation package
- Excellent benefits
- Qualifying employer for purposes of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
