Associate / Staff Attorney

Sierra Club•Washington, DC

13d•$110,931 - $160,813

About The Position

At the Sierra Club, we believe in the power of interdependence. Together, we remain committed to the fight for a healthy climate built on a foundation of environmental, racial, economic, and gender justice â a future where all people benefit from a healthy, thriving planet and a direct connection to nature. As the climate crisis and deeply entrenched systemic racism all fuel injustice, we will continue to fight for a bold, transformational agenda that recognizes the interconnectedness between our planet, our humanity, and our future. By recognizing that our destinies are tied, we continue to name that all things are fundamentally connected, and the overlap between ecology, race, gender, and representative government will move to either advance our collective humanity or to oppress it. Sierra Club has close to 800 staff across the country and a network of 64 local chapters that are led and fueled by thousands of volunteers. We are also proud to be a unionized employer, with three labor unions representing more than half of our employees. Scope: Sierra Club is seeking an associate or staff attorney to join its national legal team as a litigator for Sierra Clubâs Environmental Law Program. Appointment will be made at the level commensurate with an individualâs level of experience. Under the supervision of a managing or senior attorney, the associate or staff attorney would serve as a legal resource for Sierra Club campaigns; litigate environmental and energy cases with a focus on administrative dockets to decarbonize the electric sector; help design and implement legal and advocacy strategies; and coordinate with campaign staff, coalition partners, and outside counsel.

Requirements

J.D. degree and license to practice law in the U.S.
1+ years of experience as a practicing attorney for Associate Attorney
5+ years of experience as a practicing attorney for Staff Attorney
Excellent writing, analytical and oral advocacy skills.
An interest in litigating cases before administrative agencies such as utility commissions.
Strong interpersonal and consensus-building skills, including the ability to work collaboratively with clients, colleagues and external partners from diverse backgrounds.
Knowledge of environmental or energy law.
Passion for the Sierra Clubâs mission to enlist humanity to protect and restore the quality of the natural and human environment.
Committed to evolution. You are committed to continuously deepening and evolving your own understanding of systems of oppression through study, openness, and humility. And you easily recognize your own relationship to privilege and power, examining and shifting your behaviors as appropriate.
Uplifting and additive. You see mistakes as opportunities for growth; problems as catalysts for solutions, and inspire others along the journey. You carry a constructive approach, can-do attitude, a sense of humor, and authentic kindness wherever you go.

Responsibilities

Litigate key Sierra Club lawsuits, under the supervision of managing or senior staff attorneys; assume increasing litigation responsibilities including discovery management, settlement strategy, witness handling, legal research and writing, and oral argument.
Implement strategic, programmatic legal campaigns to support Sierra Clubâs campaign objectives; help coordinate the litigation work of strategic legal campaigns; assume responsibility for relationships with staff, volunteer leaders, outside counsel and coalition partners.
Help evaluate proposed litigation to advise national volunteer and staff leadership on the scope of Sierra Club participation in legal actions
Help develop and plan programmatic litigation and advocacy campaigns to support Sierra Club's portfolio of clean energy for all initiatives, with a focus on decarbonizing the electric sector; assist in drafting legal components of strategic plans and reports.
Help develop and execute work in a manner that centers on and promotes equity, justice, and inclusion, and intentionally address the history of inequitable environmental and economic burdens carried by communities overburdened by air, water, and climate pollution and disproportionate energy burdens.
Analyze legal cases and trends for Sierra Club management and membership.
Provide legal advice to Sierra Club membership; help Chapters and Groups with their local energy- related legal programs and objectives.
Perform miscellaneous duties as directed.