2027 Strategic Legal Advocacy Clerkship

Earthjustice • Washington, DC

5d • Onsite

About The Position

The Strategic Legal Advocacy team identifies and addresses cross-cutting changes in judicial doctrines that affect our clients’ ability to vindicate their rights. These include legal doctrines affecting justiciability, jurisdiction, the scope of federal power, and judicial review of agency actions. The team serves as a resource within Earthjustice by providing assistance on novel or difficult legal issues that arise in our litigation, with a focus on cases that could have far-reaching effects, including those that may reach the Supreme Court. The team engages with the broader environmental and progressive legal communities, including assisting with strategic coordination between organizations, coordinating and hosting continuing legal education programming and webinars, and serving as a consultant or co-counsel. The team also prepares a biweekly bulletin summarizing significant legal developments across state and federal courts. Founded in 1971, Earthjustice has a distinguished track record of achieving significant, lasting environmental protections. We wield the power of law and the strength of partnership to protect people’s health; preserve magnificent places and wildlife; advance clean energy; and combat climate change. We partner with thousands of groups and supporters to take on the biggest, most precedent-setting cases across the country and have a distinguished track record of achieving significant, lasting environmental protections. We are here because the earth needs a good lawyer. We welcome all interested law students from across the country to apply for a summer law clerk position. We expect that students will work proximate to or in an office where the program is located.

Requirements

• Must be enrolled in a U.S. law school through fall 2027 (i.e., not graduating before December 2027).
• Must be available to commit ten weeks during summer 2027.
• Must work from the U.S. during their clerkship.
• Resume.
• Cover letter that addresses: (1) relevant aspects of your background that are not apparent or fully explained in your resume; (2) why you are drawn to Earthjustice’s mission and the litigation teams for which you are applying; and (3) whether there are particular environmental or public interest issues that inspire you.
• A recent legal writing sample of no more than 10 pages that primarily reflects your work.
• A cover page indicating the extent to which your writing sample reflects edits and feedback from others.
• Unofficial transcript.

Nice To Haves

• Tailor your cover letter to describe why you are interested in that specific team.

Responsibilities

• Work with several attorneys on case development and litigation strategy.
• Draft pleadings and briefs.
• Do legal research.
• Develop strategy and legal theories.
• Gather evidence.
• Attend client meetings and court proceedings.
• Participate in programmatic offerings, such as in-person and virtual seminars with attorneys and guest speakers on current environmental issues.
• Engage in interactions with other local and regional environmental groups.
• Participate in a job interview workshop.

Benefits

• Paid positions
• One-time stipend at the start of the clerkship in the amount of $1,382.00 per week, minus the total amount received from any other sources and applicable taxes.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed