Staff Attorney/Program Advisor, Environment Program

NYC Bar Association • New York, NY

2d • $75,000 - $90,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

Established in 2003, the Cyrus R. Vance Center for International Justice advances global justice by engaging lawyers across borders to support civil society and an ethically active legal profession. The Vance Center is a unique collaboration of international lawyers catalyzing public interest innovation. A non-profit program of the New York City Bar Association, we bring together leading law firms and other partners worldwide to pioneer international justice initiatives and provide pro bono legal representation to social justice NGOs.

The Vance Center fulfills our mission by 1) providing pro bono legal support to civil society organizations working on issues related to the environment, human rights and access to justice, institutional integrity, and public interest reporting, and 2) building the capacity of the legal profession in pro bono practice, ethics, and diversity.

Over two decades, the Vance Center has worked across the globe to encourage and support lawyers to participate in public interest matters. It engages them in providing pro bono legal services to civil society organizations and in joining initiatives to advance fundamental rights and the rule of law. The Vance Center acts as a practitioner and convener, bringing together legal professionals from the United States, Latin America, sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, and Europe to collaborate in these efforts. It has developed active networks with lawyers, law firms, bar associations, and other legal organizations, as well as NGOs, to expand the legal community’s pro bono engagement.

The Vance Center recruits private law firms across the world, including members of the Vance Center Committee, to co-counsel with our program staff who engage in substantive legal work, including legal research and analysis, advocacy, and litigation.

PROGRAM FUNCTION
The Environment Program promotes and protects environmental and other human rights, including the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment, and focuses on biodiversity loss and conservation, toxic pollution, water and river sources, environmental and land defenders, and climate justice. Our pro bono resources help our clients address barriers like language access, financial constraints, and limited access to legal representation. Our support offers them a stronger foundation to continue defending and advocating for critical environmental rights.

JOB FUNCTION
The Staff Attorney/Program Advisor (the title will depend on the qualifications of the candidate hired) will play a key role in the Vance Center’s Environment Program. Under the supervision of the Associate Executive Director, the main responsibilities of the Staff Attorney/Program Advisor will include, but not be limited to:

Requirements

• J.D. or LLM from a U.S. law school. Specialization in International Environmental or Environmental Law or Public International Law is a plus.
• Degree from a non-U.S. law school required in the absence of a U.S. J.D.
• Admission to practice law in a U.S. state or in another jurisdiction.
• At least 2 years’ relevant experience, including legal work in, or related to, international environmental law or environmental law.
• Written and oral fluency in English. Written and oral fluency in Spanish is required; knowledge of French is a plus.
• Knowledge of international and regional legal systems, international and regional human rights mechanisms, and civil society ecosystems.
• Demonstrated commitment to social justice, public interest law, or related fields.
• Excellent legal research, writing, communication, and analytical skills.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to work quickly and well under pressure, manage multiple tasks and stakeholders, and meet tight deadlines.
• Willingness and ability to travel to Latin America and Africa to implement program activities; travel will be limited to a few times a year.
• Authorization to work in the United States.

Nice To Haves

• Specialization in International Environmental or Environmental Law or Public International Law is a plus.
• Knowledge of French is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Assist in developing, leading, and managing pro bono projects in the Environment Program, including collaborating with Vance Center colleagues in the four programmatic areas.
• Conduct research and written analysis, including preparation of legal briefs, on international environmental law, human rights law, and domestic environmental law, including regional tribunals and constitutional developments related to the environment.
• Monitor legal and other social and political developments relevant to the work of the Environment Program and to pro bono promotion.
• Identify and cultivate new clients for the Environment Program and maintain strong communication with existing partners and pro bono law firms.
• Collaborate with the fundraising and communications teams to prepare grant applications and reports, and communications messaging.
• Draft reports to grant makers and materials for publication on the program’s activities, cases, or current events.
• Plan, organize, and participate in virtual and in-person events in the United States, Latin America, and other engagements.
• Undertake specific administrative duties related to achieving the program's mission and objectives.

Benefits

• generous paid time off (vacation, personal, sick time, holidays including office closure during the last week of the calendar year through New Year’s Day, day off for volunteer work, extra time off in summer)
• choice of medical plans, dental, vision
• eligible for 401K when employment begins (with discretionary employer match up to 3% after 1 year)
• life insurance
• commuter benefits program
• Employee Assistance Program
• short-term/long-term disability insurance
• free New York City Bar Association membership and CLE programs
• employee discounts

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Number of Employees: 101-250 employees