Staff Attorney

For over 50 years, Save the Sound has been at the forefront of environmental action throughout the Long Island Sound watershed in Connecticut, Westchester County, New York City and Long Island. As an organization, we build resilient communities while fighting climate change, save endangered lands, protect the Sound, and restore its rivers and coastlines. We do this in many ways, from legislative advocacy and legal action to engineering, environmental monitoring, and hands-on volunteer efforts.

About the role

The staff attorney’s work centers around legal advocacy, with a focus on litigation. Reporting to the Senior Legal Director, this position is based in New Haven, Connecticut and focuses primarily on Connecticut and Federal matters. This is a full-time, exempt position.

We seek a hard-working, energetic, and creative attorney with outstanding writing skills and demonstrated commitment to protecting and improving our environment.

Responsibilities

• Legal writing and advocacy to represent Save the Sound before state and federal courts and administrative agencies;
• Occasional attendance at evening and weekend meetings or hearings as necessary, which may require limited travel throughout the region;
• Helping to define and execute Save the Sound’s litigation and advocacy strategies;
• Representing Save the Sound in coalitions and with partner organizations;
• Providing counsel to Save the Sound programs on legal and related policy issues;
• Supervising interns and students.

Requirements

• A minimum of three years relevant experience in environmental or related litigation or advocacy; attorneys with two years of demonstrated and exceptional experience will be considered;
• An outstanding academic record;
• Strong communications and interpersonal skills;
• Exceptional writing ability;
• A J.D. degree;
• A Connecticut and/or New York Bar admission is strongly preferred but not immediately required.

Shared responsibilities

• Maintaining positive and productive working relationships with all Save the Sound staff members, including providing and receiving constructive feedback;
• Participating in building productive relationships with Save the Sound's members, external partners, policy makers, and the general public;
• Completing all administrative work on time, such as timesheets, purchase orders, project reports, and planning documents.

Benefits

• Company sponsored health insurance, dental and vision insurance;
• 403(b) with company match after 1 year;
• Life and long-term disability insurance;
• A generous time off package;
• Opportunities for professional development.

Pay

The salary range is $70,000–95,000, commensurate with skills and experience.

Schedule

This is a full-time position with hybrid in-office/remote work arrangements. Staff are expected to report to either of our offices at least 2 days per week.