Associate Attorney, Sustainable Food & Farming

About the position Earthjustice seeks an Associate Attorney to join our Sustainable Food and Farming Program based in New York or Washington, D.C. The position requires 0-3 years of post-law-school legal experience. Earthjustice’s Sustainable Food & Farming Program (“SFF”) engages in litigation and advocacy to improve our nation’s food systems, from crop selection and farming practices to food processing and sustainability. Working in partnership with communities, advocacy groups, scientists, and others, we fight for safe and healthy food, climate-friendly farming, and justice throughout the chain. We take on cases with regional and national scope. Earthjustice is the nation’s leading environmental law organization. Wielding the power of law, Earthjustice partners with our clients to take on the most critical fights of our time — fights to protect the incredible biodiversity and wild places of the planet; to avert climate disaster by transitioning society away from fossil fuels toward clean energy; and to safeguard the right of all people to a healthy environment. We are here because the earth needs a good lawyer. Founded in 1971, Earthjustice has a distinguished track record of achieving significant, lasting environmental protections. We achieve this by hiring people who share a passion for justice and a healthy environment. Our headquarters are in San Francisco with offices in Anchorage, Bozeman, Chicago, Denver, Honolulu, Houston, Juneau, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, Seattle, Tallahassee and Washington, D.C. The Associate Attorney position is a three-year position with the potential for extension, designed to help attorneys who are in the early stages of their careers to develop into thoughtful, professional, and effective advocates skilled in the various phases of public interest litigation. As Associate Attorneys gain experience, they gradually take on more independent responsibility for their cases but work throughout their tenure under the supervision of Senior Attorneys, Deputy Managing Attorneys, or the Managing Attorney. Many Associates have gone on to other positions within Earthjustice and with other public interest organizations. This is a hybrid position based in our New York or Washington, D.C. office and requires regular in-person attendance at least two days per week.

Responsibilities

• Conducting legal and factual research.
• Reviewing and analyzing administrative records and technical documents.
• Drafting motions, briefs, and other legal and factual documents in support of litigation and administrative advocacy.
• Participating in proceedings before federal and state courts and agencies.
• Cultivating relationships with clients, experts, allies, and coalition partners.
• Integrating media and legislative advocacy into litigation and other legal strategies.
• Hiring and supervising law students as Earthjustice interns or clerks.

Requirements

• Law school graduate, with 0-3 years of legal experience and admitted to, or willing and eligible to apply for admission to, the New York, NY or Washington, D.C. Bar.
• Excellent research, analytic, writing, and communication skills.
• Strong and demonstrated work ethic, good judgment, initiative, and creativity.
• Strong desire to fight for the right of all to a healthy environment.
• Ability to work well independently and in a team-oriented atmosphere.
• Commitment to serving the public interest and a passion for the role of Earthjustice and its mission.
• Demonstrated awareness and sensitivity to the needs and concerns of individuals from diverse cultures, backgrounds, and orientations.
• Ability and desire to contribute to the creation of a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work culture that encourages and celebrates differences.
• High level of emotional intelligence and excellent interpersonal skills.

Benefits

• We offer a mission- and employee-focused work environment and a competitive compensation package, including excellent benefits.
• As a 501(c)(3) organization, Earthjustice is a qualifying employer for purposes of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program.

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