Charlotte E. Ray Legal Fellowship

Conservation Law Foundation (CLF) protects New England’s environment for the benefit of all people and future generations. A non-profit, member-supported organization, CLF uses the law, science, and the markets to create solutions that preserve and restore our natural resources, build healthy and resilient communities, and sustain a vibrant economy.

Every day, CLF advocates work for and with New Englanders—in state houses, court houses and board rooms, regulatory hearings and community gatherings—to forge innovative paths to environmental progress and economic prosperity for all in our region. To that end, CLF works with communities of color, and also communities that are economically or otherwise disadvantaged, which often suffer disproportionately the impacts of environmental degradation and health burdens.

Locations: The Legal Fellow(s) will be located either in our Boston headquarters or in one of CLF’s other offices in Montpelier, VT, Concord, NH, Portland, ME, Providence, RI, or New Haven, CT, with some flexibility to work remotely within New England. The term of this position is one year, with the strong possibility of  becoming an Associate Attorney at the end of that year. 

What you’ll do:

The Charlotte E. Ray Legal Fellowship offers new or recently barred lawyers an opportunity to serve as an attorney at one of the country’s oldest and most respected non-profit environmental advocacy organizations. The Fellow will participate in rotations across many of CLF’s program areas for approximately two thirds of the Fellowship, with an ultimate focus on one or two specific programs for the remainder of the Fellowship. The Fellow will be a key part of the programs to which they are assigned, responsible for developing policy and legal solutions to an array of issues in our six program areas: clean energy and climate change, environmental justice, healthy and resilient communities, clean air and water, strategic litigation and oceans. 

What you’ll need:

• A law degree prior to the time you would begin the Fellowship
• A passion and commitment to the environment, public health, and/or social justice;
• Excellent legal advocacy and writing skills;
• Commitment to developing new skills and responsibilities;
• Commitment to working collaboratively with a diverse group of colleagues and partners;
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. 

Salary & Benefits:

CLF offers a competitive salary, an extensive benefits plan, and an open, inclusive, and accepting work environment where differences are highly respected. The base salary for this position is $58,000 for Boston-based Fellows and $50,500 for those based in other New England states; actual salary will reflect experience and qualifications. 

We recognize the value of work-life balance and also strive to create opportunities for growth for all employees through professional development. 

Covid: CLF considers the health and safety of its staff members and their families, our guests, our visitors, and the community at large to be a top priority. All offers to work, intern, or volunteer with CLF are conditioned on the candidate complying with CLF’s mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy.

CLF is committed to representing New England’s diversity in our staff, volunteers, boards, and membership and creating a positive, inclusive workplace culture where all can thrive. People of color are encouraged to apply.