Senior Attorney, Enforcement

Earthjustice is the nation’s leading environmental law organization. Wielding the power of law, Earthjustice partners with clients to take on the most critical fights of our time — protecting biodiversity, averting climate disaster by transitioning from fossil fuels to clean energy, and safeguarding the right of all people to a healthy environment. Founded in 1971, Earthjustice has a distinguished track record of achieving significant, lasting environmental protections through litigation.

About the role

Earthjustice is seeking a collaborative and experienced litigator to join its newly established enforcement group as a Senior Attorney. This role focuses on holding polluters accountable for violating federal environmental laws that protect land, air, and water. The position is a cross-organizational effort, offering the opportunity to develop and pursue cases nationwide on behalf of communities directly impacted by environmental harm.

This is a hybrid position requiring two days per week in an Earthjustice office.

Responsibilities

• Case development and litigation (60%)
  • Work with clients, attorneys, experts, and partners to investigate, develop, and pursue enforcement cases.
  • Lead complex cases and conduct the full range of litigation tasks, including fact and expert discovery, motions practice, oral argument, and trial.
  • Collaborate in team problem-solving, litigation strategy, project management, and trial work.
  • Cultivate new allies and maintain effective working relationships with external partners, including Tribal entities, community groups, organizations, and coalitions.
• Building enforcement infrastructure (35%)
  • Participate in strategic planning, prioritization, and establishment of metrics to advance enforcement efforts.
  • Develop cross-cutting resources to support enforcement litigation.
  • Train Earthjustice staff in enforcement strategies and litigation skills.
  • Work directly with attorneys, paralegals, and litigation assistants in other Earthjustice programs and offices to provide hands-on training and mentoring in enforcement cases.
• External engagement and communications (5%)
  • Work with colleagues, clients, and partners to develop and execute effective media and legislative strategies.
  • Engage journalists and thought leaders to advance environmental enforcement and broader mission goals, with support from Earthjustice’s communications team.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctorate (JD) degree.
• Admitted or willing to seek admission to practice law in the relevant jurisdiction.
• At least eight years of experience litigating complex matters, including e-discovery and trial experience. A background in federal environmental enforcement litigation is strongly preferred.
• Ability to develop cases, manage a litigation docket effectively, and lead a litigation team.
• Ability to work effectively with technical experts.
• Excellent research, analytic, writing, and communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to build and maintain coalitions, understand and influence stakeholders, listen to and learn from others, and motivate and inspire coworkers.
• Experience mentoring and training others.
• A network of relevant professional relationships that can support the enforcement program’s goals.
• Commitment to public interest work and passion for Earthjustice’s mission.
• Excellent emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and cultural humility.
• Awareness and sensitivity to the needs and concerns of individuals from diverse cultures, backgrounds, and orientations.
• Willingness to travel as needed for case work, court appearances, and presentations.
• Creativity, initiative, good judgment, and a strong work ethic.
• A positive attitude, sense of humor, and willingness to have fun.

Benefits

Earthjustice offers 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 the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program.

Pay

• San Francisco, CA or New York, NY: $186,600 - $222,800
• Seattle, WA, Washington, D.C., Chicago, IL, Los Angeles, CA: $177,300 - $211,700
• Anchorage, AK, Denver, CO, Philadelphia, PA: $167,900 - $200,500
• Texas, Florida, Bozeman, MT, New Orleans, LA: $158,600 - $189,400