2027 Midwest Regional Clerkship

About the role

The Midwest Office’s legal advocacy and litigation spans all three of Earthjustice’s program areas — healthy communities, climate and energy, and lands and wildlife. We fight proposed mines and pipeline projects that threaten the fishing and hunting rights of tribal communities and endanger the region’s treasures, including the Great Lakes and the pristine Boundary Waters. Second, we work with communities impacted by contaminated air, drinking water, waterways, and soil to fight for environmental justice and to develop safer and cleaner neighborhoods in which to live. Third, we are developing work that will promote healthier, more sustainable agriculture and combat climate change.

Responsibilities

• Work with several attorneys on case development and litigation strategy.
• Draft pleadings and briefs.
• Do legal research.
• Develop strategy and legal theories.
• Gather evidence.
• Attend client meetings and court proceedings.

Compensation

Earthjustice summer law clerkships are paid positions. The total stipend amount will be dependent on any external funding a student secures, such as through their law school’s summer funding program. Earthjustice will provide a one-time stipend at the start of the clerkship in the amount of $1,382.00 per week, minus the total amount received from any other sources and applicable taxes. The summer law clerkship is designed to be 10 weeks long at full-time hours (37.5 hours/week).

How to Apply

• Candidates must be enrolled in a U.S. law school through fall 2027 (i.e., not graduating before December 2027) and be available to commit ten weeks during summer 2027.
• Summer law clerks must work from the U.S. during their clerkship.
• Interested candidates should submit their complete application via Jobvite by September 7, 2026. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
• Candidates may submit applications to whichever and however many litigation teams they are interested.
• Finalists will be asked to submit two references; these may be law school faculty or legal professional, clinical, or volunteer supervisors.

Resources

• Additional information about our hiring process and tips for success can be found at https://earthjustice.org/about/jobs/hiring-process.