Fall 2026 Legal Externship – Clean Energy Program

Earthjustice • Washington, DC

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

Earthjustice is the nation's leading environmental law organization. We wield the power of law and the strength of partnership to protect people’s health, preserve magnificent places and wildlife, advance clean energy, and combat climate change. We are here because the Earth needs a good lawyer.
Driven by a passion for justice, inclusion, partnership, and excellence, our core values lead us to seek a broad range of perspectives and backgrounds to achieve our mission and maintain an inclusive environment where all staff are valued and respected.
Earthjustice’s Clean Energy Program is accepting applications for up to 4 full- or part-time fall 2026 legal externs. We are seeking current law students who share a passion for justice and a healthy environment, and who are eligible to receive academic credit or fulfill a graduation requirement through this externship. The successful candidates may work remotely within the U.S. or on a hybrid schedule from our Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, or Washington, DC office.
The Clean Energy Program works to accelerate the essential transition from fossil fuels to clean energy, to hold coal generators accountable for their pollution and protect communities from toxic coal waste, and to increase access to clean energy. The Clean Energy Program is deeply invested in fighting false climate solutions and emerging threats, increasing access to affordable and reliable energy, and opposing the dangerous rush to expand or prolong the life of fossil-fueled generation and infrastructure in our state and federal energy regulatory advocacy. Our focus is the “fossil to clean fight” while ensuring that the benefits of a clean energy transition are distributed fairly and equitably.

Requirements

• Enrolled in law school as a 2L or 3L during fall 2026.
• Must be eligible to receive academic credit or fulfill a graduation requirement through this externship.
• Excellent writing, research, analytical and organizational skills.
• Familiarity with legal research tools, including Westlaw.
• Strong work ethic, initiative, and ability to think creatively.
• Ability to work collegially with others and independently.
• Interest in public interest law and social justice.
• Must commit to at least 16 hours/week for 10-16 weeks.

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge of environmental and administrative law is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Under the supervision of a licensed attorney, the legal externs can expect to engage on legal research assignments, strategy meetings, client calls, remote or in-person proceedings, etc. with the goal of better understanding the role of an environmental attorney within the Clean Energy Program seeking to advance our mission to end reliance on fossil fuels and to secure a clean energy future.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: No Education Listed
• Number of Employees: 251-500 employees