Spring 2027 Legal Externship – Sustainable Food & Farming Program

Earthjustice is the nation's leading environmental law organization. We wield the power of law and the strength of partnership to protect people’s health, preserve magnificent places and wildlife, advance clean energy, and combat climate change. We are here because the Earth needs a good lawyer. Driven by a passion for justice, inclusion, partnership, and excellence, our core values lead us to seek a broad range of perspectives and backgrounds to achieve our mission and maintain an inclusive environment where all staff are valued and respected.

Earthjustice’s Sustainable Food & Farming Program is accepting applications for two part- or full-time legal externs for spring 2027. The Sustainable Food and Farming Program engages in litigation and advocacy to improve our nation’s food system, working to reduce pollution from industrial agriculture and to accelerate the shift to a climate-friendly system that supports farmers, workers, and neighbors, and can withstand ever-more volatile storms, heatwaves, droughts, and other extreme weather events. Working in partnership with communities, advocacy groups, scientists, and others, we focus on two main areas of work: (1) advancing climate-friendly agricultural practices and reducing net greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture, and (2) reducing air, water, and toxic pollution from industrial agriculture. We take on cases with regional and national scope.

About the role

The successful candidate may work remotely within the U.S. or on a hybrid schedule from our New York, NY or Washington, DC office. Legal externs are unpaid and must receive academic credit or fulfill a graduation requirement for their work with Earthjustice.

Responsibilities

• Under the supervision of an attorney, conduct legal research and draft legal memoranda on topics including environmental and administrative law.
• Attend team meetings, if schedules allow, where we discuss case developments and other topics related to the team's work.

Requirements

• Enrolled in law school as a 2L or 3L during spring 2027.
• Must be eligible to receive academic credit or fulfill a graduation requirement through this externship.
• Must commit to at least 12 hours/week for 12-16 weeks.

Qualifications

• Excellent writing, research, analytical, and organizational skills.
• Familiarity with legal research tools, including Westlaw.
• Strong work ethic, initiative, and ability to think creatively.
• Ability to work collegially with others and independently.
• Knowledge of environmental and administrative law is a plus.
• Interest in public interest law and social justice.