Staff Attorney

Food & Water Watch•Dexter Township, MI

4d•$72,000 - $90,000•Remote

About The Position

Food & Water Watch (FWW) is seeking a Staff Attorney I to join its legal team. This role will focus on advancing litigation and legal strategies, particularly in climate and energy matters, to support FWW's mission and campaigns. The Staff Attorney I will collaborate with various internal teams, including legal, policy, organizing, and communications. The position reports to the Climate & Energy Senior Staff Attorney and works under the supervision of the Climate & Energy Senior Staff Attorney and the Legal Director. Key responsibilities include leading and co-counseling litigation from case development through appeals, engaging in regulatory proceedings, representing FWW in various forums, providing legal support to campaigns, and assisting with the development of educational materials. The role also involves supporting the organization's fundraising efforts by drafting proposals and reports and interacting with funders. The position is approved for remote work within the U.S., with occasional travel required.

Requirements

Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school and bar admission in any U.S. state.
At least two years of experience as a practicing attorney on environmental issues, with a litigation background, and preferably on climate and energy issues.
Excellent oral communication skills, with the ability to present technical concepts to a mass audience.
Excellent legal writing and other written communication skills, including clear and informative writing, strong grammar, proofreading, and effective presentation of numerical data.
Excellent planning and organizational skills, including efficient time management, development of realistic action plans, meeting deadlines, and tracking multiple processes.
Demonstrated accuracy, thoroughness, and a drive for quality improvement.
Adaptability to changes in docket priorities and work environment, ability to handle multiple projects concurrently, and capacity for creative and quick thinking.
Can-do attitude and demonstrated ability to work well under pressure, with excellent problem-solving skills.
Strong judgment, including willingness to make timely decisions and exhibit sound, independent, and accurate judgment.
Demonstrated leadership and collaborative capabilities, with the ability to work well with diverse individuals and coordinate tasks.
Strong work ethic and a commitment to environmental protection.
Commitment to FWW’s core values of justice, human dignity, fair treatment, and equity.
Ability to work effectively with people of diverse racial, ethnic, class, age, gender, and sexual orientation backgrounds.
Ability and willingness to promote and uphold office policies and procedures.
Proficiency with Adobe Pro and Microsoft Office products (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
Ability to work remotely using basic online programs, including email, Slack, and Google docs.
Currently authorized to work in the United States; unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of employment visas.

Nice To Haves

Significant knowledge of and experience with the Clean Air Act.
Significant knowledge of and experience with state and local land use and permitting processes.

Responsibilities

Lead and co-counsel litigation, including research, development, and implementation of litigation strategies, and representation from case development through appeals.
Lead engagement in federal, state, and local regulatory proceedings, including rulemakings, to advance FWW's priorities and build an administrative record for potential litigation.
Represent FWW in court, in meetings with government agencies and policymakers, and in coalition with partner organizations, acting as a public spokesperson for FWW's legal work.
Direct FWW's engagement in litigation and legal strategies as a party and lead coordination with outside counsel.
Provide legal support for in-house organizing, policy, and research staff, as well as key partners.
Help develop and review educational materials such as factsheets, action alerts, website content, and newsletter articles.
Support the organization's culture of philanthropy by serving as an ambassador, identifying fundraising opportunities, sharing contacts, and drafting funding proposals and reports.
Carry out other projects as assigned.