Litigation Mid-Level to Senior Associate (4+ years experience)

VAN NESS FELDMAN LLP•Seattle, WA

16h•$185,000 - $205,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Van Ness Feldman is seeking a litigation attorney with at least 4 years of relevant experience in environmental statutes and implementing regulations to join our Litigation, Enforcement, and Investigations practice group. This position is based in our Seattle office. VNF’s litigation practice group represents clients in environmental litigation in federal district court, including claims under the National Environmental Policy Act, the Endangered Species Act, the Clean Water Act, the Clean Air Act, CERCLA/Superfund, and similar state and federal statutes. The practice group regularly supports VNF’s environment, land use, natural resources, real estate, and energy regulatory practice groups in litigation matters. While VNF is organized into these primary practice groups, our professionals also work on complex litigation and claims for clients beyond environment and energy, including claims on behalf of Indian tribes. The successful associate will be given significant responsibility within a dynamic and collegial team-based structure. The associate will work directly with experienced and accomplished environmental litigators on a variety of matters. The associate will also support more junior associates through mentoring, training, and delegation. While the work will be primarily litigation, a portion of the work may include representation of clients in non-litigation matters.

Requirements

At least 4 years of relevant experience in environmental statutes and implementing regulations.
Experience with major litigation matters in federal or state court.
Experience in drafting legal work product such as legal memoranda, client recommendations, pleadings, and/or discovery requests and responses.
Experience taking and defending depositions.
Experience handling discovery disputes.
Experience in trial presentation, including examination of witnesses, introduction of evidence, and oral advocacy.
Experience with environmental statutes and implementing regulations such as the National Environmental Policy Act, the Clean Water Act, the Clean Air Act, the Endangered Species Act, CERCLA/Superfund, and/or similar state and federal statutes, as well as equitable claims.
Graduated with a JD or LLM from an ABA-accredited law school.
Active admission or eligibility for admission in Washington State.
4+ years of experience.

Nice To Haves

Strong academic credentials.
Strong organizational and time management skills, with attention to detail and accuracy.
Excellent research, drafting, and writing skills, and ability to produce high-quality work on tight timelines.
Excellent oral communication skills including the ability to communicate clearly, directly, and practically with clients and colleagues.
Ability to manage matters independently and proactively drive work forward.
Ability to quickly learn new issues and apply that understanding in practice.

Responsibilities

Represent clients in environmental litigation in federal district court.
Support VNF’s environment, land use, natural resources, real estate, and energy regulatory practice groups in litigation matters.
Work on complex litigation and claims for clients beyond environment and energy, including claims on behalf of Indian tribes.
Work directly with experienced and accomplished environmental litigators on a variety of matters.
Support more junior associates through mentoring, training, and delegation.
Represent clients in non-litigation matters.