Attorney, Staff or Associate

The Alaska office of Earthjustice, a public interest law firm for the environment, is seeking applications for a staff or associate attorney position in our Anchorage location. Earthjustice's mission centers on protecting people and natural resources by enforcing and strengthening environmental laws and providing clients with the best legal representation and related advocacy.

The core issues of the Alaska office docket are the protection of the Alaska coastal rain forest, protection of sensitive areas in northern Alaska from oil and gas development, conservation of the Bering Sea and Gulf of Alaska marine ecosystem, wildlife conservation, air and water quality enforcement, national park and other public lands management, and mining activities in Alaska. Our clients include national, regional and local conservation organizations, traditional Native villages, ecotourism businesses, and communities, as well as other organizations concerned about enforcing the laws to protect the environment.

Position Overview:

A staff attorney is responsible for developing, coordinating, and pursuing strategic litigation in federal and state courts.

The associate attorney program affords junior attorneys the opportunity to spend 2 to 3 years working with staff attorneys on our litigation docket. Several of our past associates have remained with Earthjustice or have joined other conservation organizations. Among other responsibilities, the associate will conduct legal research and prepare memoranda on issues relating to ongoing or potential litigation projects; draft motions, briefs and other pleadings; prepare comments on proposed agency actions and environmental impact statements; assist with discovery; and interact with clients and work with experts. The associate attorney may have primary responsibility for some matters, but will generally work collaboratively with other lawyers in the office.

Qualifications: 

To be considered for a staff attorney position, the candidate must have:

• 5 or more years of litigation experience, preferably in environmental law,
• the ability to manage a litigation docket independently,
• a demonstrable passion for enforcing and strengthening environmental laws,
• excellent legal research and writing skills,
• self-motivation, and
• an ability and willingness to work closely with others.

To be considered for an associate attorney position, the candidate must have:

• experience or education in environmental and administrative law,
• excellent legal research and writing skills,
• strong self-motivation,
• an ability and willingness to work closely with others,
• a commitment to environmental protection, and
• completed post law school a judicial clerkship or have 1 to 3 years of experience in environmental law or general litigation post law school.

Timely admission to the Alaska bar is essential. The Alaska office has locations in Juneau and Anchorage. This position will be located in Anchorage.

Compensation: Earthjustice's compensation is based on experience, competitive, and includes an excellent benefits package.

To Apply: 

We strongly prefer to receive applications by email. Please include a cover letter explaining your interest in either the staff or associate level position, a resume, a legal writing sample (not to exceed 10 pages) and 3 references. Candidates for the associate level should also include a copy of their law school transcript; unofficial is sufficient. For additional information you may contact us by email.

Earthjustice is an equal opportunity employer. We particularly encourage applications from candidates who will contribute to the diversity of our staff.