Mid-Senior Attorney (Climate)

Organizational Summary

EarthRights International is a non-governmental, non-profit organization that combines the power of law with the power of people in defense of human rights and the environment. We take legal action against perpetrators of earth rights abuses, train activists, and work with communities to demand meaningful and lasting change.

Position Overview

EarthRights seeks an experienced U.S.-licensed litigator to develop and lead litigation strategies relating to methane and other climate/fossil fuels work.

The Mid-Senior Attorney must have extensive experience working with all aspects of U.S. civil litigation, including case development, motion practice, discovery (including managing experts), and ideally will have experience and understanding of the drivers of climate change. The Mid-Senior Attorney will be expected to act with minimal supervision, to develop attorney-client relationships, and to meaningfully participate in the development of our overall climate strategy priorities. 

To that end, we are looking for an attorney with keen strategic judgment, an understanding of the legal doctrines relevant to climate cases, and ideally experience with appellate litigation involving similarly complex legal issues. Prior experience with public interest and high impact litigation is highly desired, as is prior clerkship experience.

The Mid-Senior Attorney may also support other EarthRights litigation, especially during periods when other legal team members are on leave. The Attorney will also coordinate with EarthRights’ campaigns and communications teams to amplify community voices and advocate for community priorities.

• Position: Mid-Senior Attorney (Climate)
• Department: U.S. Legal
• Location: Washington, DC
• Reports To: Senior Attorney
• Application Deadline: Until filled
• Start Date: As soon as possible.
• Minimum Years of Relevant Experience: 7-12 years
• Salary: $120,000 to $140,000 commensurate with experience

Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and litigate cases to expand EarthRights’ U.S. legal work on climate change and oil and gas industry accountability, especially with respect to methane emissions
• Identify and carry out opportunities to advance industry accountability, reduce carbon and methane pollution and support marginalized communities through litigation and other advocacy
• Advocate for administrative and legislative policies through scientific and legal comments, oral testimony, policy analysis and petitions for rulemaking
• Draft and edit briefs, motions, memos, briefing documents, written comments, and other written materials for submission to federal and state courts, as well as administrative agencies
• Conduct and supervise discovery activities including propounding discovery, document review, and depositions
• Represent EarthRights and our clients in court appearances, hearings, negotiations, public meetings, workshops, and other processes
• Conduct fact-finding and consultation trips to potential and existing client communities as relevant to advance litigation goals, and to assess needs and community priorities and goals
• Contribute to strategic discussions as part of a collaborative legal team.
• Collaborate with the EarthRights Campaigns Team and Communications Team to amplify community voices and identify advocacy strategies that could complement litigation to meet community needs and goals
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with relevant co-counsel, NGOs, and personnel of partner organizations
• Manage deliverables on relevant EarthRights grants, and assist Development Team to provide timely and compelling reports, proposals and updates to funders, including representing EarthRights at donor meetings and conferences

Responsibilities may also include:

• Contribute to EarthRights’ corporate accountability and climate litigation generally
• Supervise interns, legal fellows, and other attorneys, and coordinate programmatic activities

Qualifications and Experience:

• Licensed to practice law in U.S. with D.C. bar membership or the ability to waive into the D.C. bar
• Significant civil litigation experience (at least 10 years), including case development, motion practice, oral argument, and discovery.
• Knowledge of legal and policy issues relating to environmental law and climate change
• Excellent legal research, analysis, writing and communication skills
• Ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously, handle a heavy workload, and manage time efficiently to meet relevant deadlines
• Ability to manage up to obtain guidance when necessary and ensure others on team are meeting deadlines
• Ability to work well with clients and partners from a diverse range of ethnic, geographic, and cultural backgrounds
• Commitment to anti-bias and nondiscrimination

Desirable Skills:

• A passion for and commitment to justice and representing clients fighting powerful adversaries
• Experience working with civil society organizations and a diverse range of people and groups
• General civil litigation experience, including tort litigation
• Media, advocacy, and/or campaign experience
• Experience coordinating movements, coalitions or networks
• Experience with external fundraising to support project goals
• Ability to work in multiple languages, especially Spanish

Work Authorization

• United States (required; EarthRights will cooperate in obtaining or maintaining work authorization where necessary, but applicants must have authorization or eligibility to obtain authorization immediately)

Benefits

• Employer-sponsored medical insurance (dependent coverage available)
• 100% employer-paid dental and vision insurance coverage (dependent coverage available)
• 14 weeks paid maternity/paternity leave for eligible employees
• 15 days of vacation & 12 sick days per year
• 12 paid federal holidays; office closed from December 24 – January 1
• Flexible Spending Plan (FSA)
• Generous employer non-elective retirement contribution
• Employee wellness benefits and transportation benefits
• A casual work environment

****This position may be included in the EarthRights International Bargaining Unit - United / SIEU Local 500.

Application materials:

Candidates should submit the following materials:

• Resume or CV (no longer than 2 pages)
• Cover letter
• Brief (<10 pages) legal writing sample

References may be requested later in the process. Due to the volume of applications, only short listed candidates may be contacted.

Once your application has been submitted, please go to this link and fill out the demographic survey questions: https://forms.gle/gJFvaz73GkQGSNr18

This information will not be linked to your individual application in any way, but helps EarthRights evaluate our efforts at recruiting a diverse set of candidates.

For more information on the work of EarthRights International visit www.earthrights.org

EarthRights International is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate in its hiring practices, and actively encourages people of color, women, people with disabilities, and LGBTQI people to apply.