Senior Attorney

Los Angeles Waterkeeper Published: February 25, 2022
Location
Los Angeles, CA
Skill Level
Senior Level
Job Type
Full-time
Categories
Legal

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Description

Los Angeles Waterkeeper (LAW) is a dynamic environmental nonprofit organization seeking a highly motivated individual to join our team as Senior Attorney. LA Waterkeeper fights for the health of the region’s waterways, and for sustainable, equitable and climate-friendly water supplies.  We envision the region as an international leader on integrated, sustainable, and equitable water management; a region that is water self-sufficient, and where all waterways throughout the county are safe, healthy, and accessible to the public.

More about us can be found at https://lawaterkeeper.org.

Overview

The Senior Attorney will lead our litigation and regulatory advocacy efforts to protect and restore inland and coastal waterways throughout Los Angeles County and promote sustainable water policies for the region. This position will report to LAW’s Executive Director and will work closely with our Science & Policy Manager and advocacy team to advance LAW’s Pollution Prevention, Healthy Habitats, and Systems Change programs.

Responsibilities

  1. Litigation
    • Lead the development legal strategies relying on the Clean Water Act, Porter-Cologne, and CEQA to advance and support LA Waterkeeper’s mission.
    • Manage existing and new Clean Water Act enforcement cases from investigation through settlement/litigation including drafting notices of intent to file suit, pleadings and briefs, discovery, and other trial preparation materials; engaging in mediation; interviewing witnesses; and managing overall strategy
    • Oversee existing litigation at the trial and appellate level in state and federal court and prepare regulatory petitions as needed
    • Manage relationships with co-counsel, experts, and coalition partners.
    • Supervise Staff Attorney and legal interns’ work to ensure optimal outcomes
  2. Regulatory/Advocacy
    • Conduct detailed research and draft comment letters and petitions for review on policies, permits, and regulations related to water quality and water supply issues.
    • Represent Los Angeles Waterkeeper at administrative agency hearings and other meetings and advocacy events.
    • Working with the legal team and Executive Director, identify and develop strategies to pursue substantive areas for regulatory and policy changes to further LAW’s mission.
    • Assume responsibility for management of Los Angeles Waterkeeper’s Pollution Prevention Team and advocacy campaigns including leading coalitions, creating effective strategies, and implementing campaign plans
    • Serve as spokesperson for Los Angeles Waterkeeper with agencies, elected officials, partners, and media
  3. Administrative
    • Provide organizational support for legal and policy work including contributing to organizational communications in writing and in person, attending regular staff meetings and organizational functions, and assisting development staff with identification of funding opportunities, grant writing, and reporting
    • Manage Staff Attorney including conducting annual staff evaluation and ongoing mentorship
    • Ensure seamless integration of legal work with advocacy and science endeavors
    • Manage creation of annual work plans for legal department
    • Manage relationship with Legal Committee and provide written and verbal reports to the Board of Directors

Qualifications & Requirements

  1. Applicants must be law school graduates with admitted to the California bar.
  2. 6-10 years of litigation experience including managing discovery, motion practice, and trial preparation
  3. Administrative experience including preparing regulatory comment letters and petitions
  4. Superb research, analysis, writing, and oral advocacy and presentation skills, and experience distilling complex legal concepts for a variety of audiences.
  5. Some knowledge of the Clean Water Act is preferred; knowledge of complementary environmental laws (CEQA/NEPA, ESA, etc.) an added benefit.
  6. Some background in science is preferred.
  7. Demonstrated passion for and commitment to clean water, healthy ecosystems, resilient communities, and environmental health and justice.
  8. Adept project manager with demonstrated ability to oversee timelines, task lists and budgets.
  9. Ability to think strategically and prioritize goals in line with the organization’s strategic direction.
  10. Experience working in a fast-paced, nonprofit setting. Must be comfortable juggling multiple projects under tight deadlines and adopting new skills as necessary.
  11. Hard working, self-motivated, and possesses good judgment.
  12. Strong research, writing, and communication skills.
  13. Proficiency in online communications tools, particularly the Microsoft Office suite.
  14. Ability to thrive in a small team environment where teamwork, creativity, and flexibility are valued.
  15. Some weekend and evening/night work may be required for hearings, events, etc.
  16. Reliable transportation
  17. To ensure that events, meetings, and a return to the office happen safely for all staff, COVID-19 vaccine will be required (legitimate medical or religious exemptions notwithstanding).

Salary, Benefits & Terms

  • Salary – $85,000 - $90,000 based on experience. This is a full-time, exempt position that reports to the Executive Director.
  • Benefits – We offer paid health, vision, and dental insurance, as well as access to a 403(b)-retirement plan with a company match. Flexibility to work remotely (though ultimately should be based in Los Angeles as in-person hearings and meetings return). Generous schedule of holidays and paid time off policy including an additional paid break between Christmas and New Year’s.

To Apply

Please click "Apply" below to email a cover letter, resume, and the names and contact information of three references by February 4.  We will be reviewing applications and scheduling interviews on a rolling basis. We encourage you to apply online, but you may also use the email provided here.submit a cover letter, resume, and the names and contact information of three references to  by February 4.

  • Start Date: As soon as possible. No later than mid-March.

An Equal Opportunity Employer

Our goal is to be a diverse workforce that is representative of the communities we serve.  LA Waterkeeper encourages applications from Black, Indigenous, People of Color, Persons with Disabilities, Women and Gender-nonconforming people especially in occupations or positions where they are underrepresented. We do not discriminate based on any class protected by law. 

When you apply for this position, please say you saw this job on Green Dream Jobs!!

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