Senior Attorney

Defender of Wildlife • Washington, DC

7d • $160,000 - $180,000

About The Position

The Senior Attorney engages in legal advocacy and develops and litigates cases under federal environmental and natural resources law to advance Defenders of Wildlife’s conservation policies and protect biological diversity. As an experienced litigator and senior member of the legal team, the Senior Attorney supervises staff attorneys, legal fellows, and law clerks and advises Defenders staff on legal questions and legislative matters. The position is in the Biodiversity Law Center, is based in Denver, Colorado, Washington, D.C., or remotely, and reports to the Vice President, Conservation Law. It has one direct or indirect report.

Requirements

• Juris Doctor (JD) and appropriate state bar license(s).
• 10 years of relevant experience.
• 5 years of supervisory experience.
• Substantial knowledge of the Endangered Species Act, National Environmental Policy Act, and other federal natural resources, public lands, and wildlife conservation laws, including related regulations and policies.
• Substantial knowledge of the Freedom of Information Act.
• Substantial knowledge of the Federal Rules of Civil and Appellate Procedure, the Administrative Procedure Act, and legal doctrines including standing, ripeness/mootness, and standards of review for agency actions and rulemakings.
• Substantial experience reviewing and commenting on draft permits, draft regulations, draft environmental impact analyses, and other actions subject to notice and comment.
• Substantial experience litigating in federal district and appellate courts, including reviewing administrative records, drafting declarations, pleadings, and motions, and participating in oral argument.
• Excellent research and writing skills, including the ability to quickly and accurately analyze legislative and administrative proposals and explain critiques clearly.
• Strong media and communications skills, including persuasive conservation-policy advocacy in public-speaking venues.
• Demonstrated commitment to public interest advocacy, environmental protection, and natural resources conservation.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team, with strong coordination, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be accepted as a substitute for the specified education and experience.

Responsibilities

• Develop innovative litigation strategies and litigate cases to protect imperiled wildlife and habitats under relevant federal and state wildlife, public lands, and natural resource laws.
• Work across disciplines using law, science, policy, and communications in legal advocacy, including drafting comment letters and speaking at public hearings.
• Advise Defenders staff on legal questions and legislative matters.
• Supervise and mentor staff attorneys, legal fellows, and law clerks in the Conservation Law department.
• Collaborate across departments to create written products advancing conservation work, such as comment letters, blog posts, op-eds, and presentations.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree