Staff Attorney - Environmental Law
About The Position
The Western Environmental Law Center (WELC) is seeking a Staff Attorney with 2+ years of experience to join their Wildlands & Wildlife Program. This full-time, exempt position focuses on strategic legal advocacy for public lands, waters, wildlife, and communities in the western U.S. Responsibilities include litigation and administrative engagement to protect these resources, as well as involvement in federal and state legislation, rulemaking, and policymaking. The role is dynamic and may evolve based on changing circumstances and the candidate's unique skills. The Staff Attorney will contribute to WELC's strategic direction, collaborate with internal staff and external partners, and represent WELC publicly. The position requires providing a full range of legal services, staying current on relevant developments, and working collaboratively. The role is based in WELC's Portland office or potentially another office for an exceptional candidate, typically working 40 hours per week during business hours, though some night and weekend hours may be necessary. Limited travel (2-3 weeks per year) is required. Standard office physical demands apply, with reasonable accommodations provided.
Requirements
- Law degree from an accredited law.
- Admission to and good standing with the state bar in Oregon, and/or one of the states where we practice and willingness and ability to obtain membership to the Oregon state bar at the earliest.
- Lived experience within or past work experience in partnership with people and communities of diverse backgrounds and experience, particularly in the western U.S.
- Two or more years relevant attorney experience.
- Excellent research, writing, and oral advocacy.
- Experience with and knowledge of public lands, waters, species, and community challenges and opportunities in the western U.S.
- Experience with and knowledge of the relevant agencies, laws, and regulations employed in litigation to protect public lands, waters, and species.
- Ability and willingness to use a complete set of legal advocacy tools including litigation, policy, and administrative advocacy.
- A commitment to conceptualizing and implementing legal strategies that further equity, inclusion, and justice, including through the just treatment and meaningful involvement of clients, partners, and frontline community groups and individuals.
- Dynamic and empathetic skills to foster relationships with partners, clients, agency staff, and community members.
- Demonstrated ability to work in complex, potentially high-conflict, multi- dimensional arenas involving a broad array of organizations and interests.
- Eagerness to mentor, support, and help develop newer attorneys and a self-awareness, motivation, and desire to seek opportunities for your own growth and development.
- An interest in and understanding of science and other technical fields and their interplay with public interest environmental law.
- Ability to work independently and proactively, including a willingness to be flexible and adaptive when needed.
- Desire to work on and contribute to a team. This includes learning from others, giving and receiving support and feedback, and active, constructive engagement in organizational discussions to advance the organization's mission and contribute to its cohesion.
- Highly organized and intellectually curious.
- Demonstrated commitment to WELC's mission and strategies and the public interest, as well as a love for the land, waters, species, and communities of the western U.S.
Nice To Haves
- Exceptional candidate for remote work
- Additional, non-legal writing sample to illustrate the candidate's background, views, or ideas.
Responsibilities
- Litigation and administrative engagement protecting federal public lands, wildlife habitat, species, and water.
- Engagement in federal and potentially state-level legislation, rulemaking, and policymaking to protect public lands, water, and species.
- Defense of existing laws and regulations as well as efforts to improve the same.
- Provide a full range of legal services on behalf of WELC, including primarily litigation, but also policy advocacy, and administrative action.
- Stay apprised of relevant law, policy, social, and other developments.
- Work collaboratively with staff across the organization, as well as with partner organizations and clients.
- Support and coordinate with WELC leadership, development, communications, and finance staff.
- Represent WELC in public and private settings.
- Participate in retreats, trainings, and other organizational events.
- Identify and advance opportunities to shape WELC's organizational and strategic direction.
- Share perspectives and become a trusted and respected leader in their field and within their scope of work.
Benefits
- health coverage
- vision coverage
- dental coverage
- life coverage
- disability coverage
- 401(k) retirement plan with a 4% employer match
- 22 days combined of paid annual vacation and personal leave
- 13 days of paid holiday leave
- paid sick leave
- paid long-term leave policy (3 months sabbatical leave for every 5 years of employment)
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
