Senior Attorney, National Climate

Company: Earthjustice
Location: San Francisco
Posted on: April 8, 2025

Job Description:

Earthjustice seeks a senior attorney to join the National Climate team to advance rules, policies, and decisions to limit and prevent the federal permitting of climate-damaging infrastructure projects across the country. The position will focus primarily on litigation and advocacy to prevent federal permitting of fossil fuel projects like gas pipelines and liquefied natural gas export terminals.Earthjustice is the premier nonprofit environmental law organization. Our team of more than 550 staff - including more than 200 lawyers - wields the power of law and the strength of partnership to protect public health, address environmental injustice, defend and restore magnificent places and irreplaceable ecosystems, and transition our economy to 100% clean energy while working to protect people and the planet from climate change. We partner with thousands of groups, tribes, individuals, and communities to address the environmental crises of our time. We are here because the earth needs a good lawyer.Founded in 1971, Earthjustice has a distinguished track record of achieving significant, lasting environmental protections. We achieve this by hiring staff who share a passion for justice and a healthy environment. Our headquarters are in San Francisco, with offices in Anchorage, Bozeman, Chicago, Denver, Honolulu, Houston, Juneau, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, Philadelphia, Seattle, Tallahassee, and Washington, D.C.The National Climate team litigates and advocates in federal courts and before administrative agencies to curb the devastating effects of climate change. We engage in strategic litigation against the federal approval of fossil fuel projects like gas pipelines and liquefied natural gas export projects across the country. We participate in regulatory processes to advocate for stricter federal permitting standards for fossil fuel projects and more careful review of the need for and harmful impacts of these projects. We work with partners and communities to raise awareness on the need to stop approving more fossil fuel projects and rapidly transition to clean energy.Earthjustice has a longstanding record of success with our litigation and advocacy to attack climate pollution and to protect communities from unneeded fossil fuel projects. We engaged in successful litigation against the approval by federal and state agencies of large interstate gas pipelines. We have fought back against efforts to weaken the permitting structures governing the review of fossil fuel projects. We have developed successful strategies to force federal agencies to better account for the economic and environmental costs of unfettered federal approval of fossil fuel infrastructure.The Senior Attorney position will focus on our federal energy regulatory practice to stop fossil fuel infrastructure projects, which involves advocacy and litigation before federal agencies, including the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the Department of Energy, and the Army Corps of Engineers, and federal courts.Our practice increasingly emphasizes a mentorship culture for staff at all levels, and we expect that every Senior Attorney will help nurture the development of early career attorneys and other staff. Senior Attorneys supervise associate attorneys, fellows, and litigation assistants in connection with their work on projects.This position can be based in any location where Earthjustice has an office, although applicants seeking to work remotely will also be considered.Responsibilities

• Develop, lead, and conduct complex litigation, primarily in federal courts.
• Conduct and supervise advocacy before agencies, state and local governments, and courts as warranted.
• Manage new and existing litigation matters from start to finish, including working with technical experts as appropriate.
• Develop, coordinate, and execute non-litigation advocacy strategies in collaboration with attorneys, policy staff and communications staff as appropriate.
• Conduct factual investigations and develop legal theories for possible advocacy or litigation advancing the goals of our clients.
• Supervise the work of Associate Attorneys, Paralegals, and Law Clerks.
• Develop and manage relationships with co-counsel and with a diverse group of clients and coalition partners.
• Work effectively with other departments within Earthjustice, including Policy and Legislation, Communications, Development, and Operations.
• Serve as spokesperson for Earthjustice, clients, and partners.
• Join other staff in long-term planning, strategy development, goal setting, and work plan management that advances Earthjustice's work.
• Participate as an active member of a learning and mentorship culture and engage with colleagues in a manner that is respectful, professional, and supportive.
• Participate actively in organizational and office-specific efforts to create a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace, and personally engage with colleagues, clients, and partners in a manner that is consistent with those efforts.Qualifications
  • Juris Doctorate (JD) degree from an ABA accredited law school.
  • A minimum of eight years of relevant litigation and advocacy experience, including significant lead counsel experience.
  • Admitted to the bar of the state in which they reside.
  • Knowledge of, and experience in, environmental and administrative law.
  • Experience as lead counsel in federal appellate litigation is a plus.
  • Experience related to federal regulation of gas transmission and export projects is a plus.
  • Strong skills in communicating litigation and advocacy goals and messages to the media.
  • Excellent legal research, writing, and oral advocacy skills.
  • Initiative, good judgment, a collegial work style, and a strong work ethic.
  • Proficient at working with technical issues and experts.
  • Ability to develop and maintain partnerships with community-based or other grassroots groups interested in litigation and other advocacy in the attorney's area of focus.
  • Ability and willingness to travel as needed for case work, court appearances, presentations, staff meetings, and conferences.
  • Ability to effectively supervise and mentor early career staff in connection with litigation and advocacy projects.
  • Demonstrated awareness of and sensitivity to the needs and concerns of individuals from diverse cultures, backgrounds, and orientations.We offer a mission- and employee-focused work environment and a competitive compensation package, including excellent benefits. Earthjustice is an equal opportunity employer and highly values diversity. As a 501(c)(3) organization, Earthjustice is a qualifying employer for purposes of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program.Salary range in San Francisco, CA and New York, NY: $179,000 - $207,100Salary range in Sacramento, CA; Massachusetts; Washington, D.C.; Chicago, IL; Seattle, WA; Los Angeles, CA; and Honolulu, HI:$170,100 - $196,700Salary range in Juneau, AK; Anchorage, AK; Denver, CO; and Philadelphia, PA: $161,100 - $186,400Salary range in Miami, FL; Austin, TX; Tallahassee, FL; Maine; Albany, NY; Bozeman, MT, and New Orleans, LA: $152,200 - $176,000Remote salary range will vary between $152,200- $207,100 depending on location and experience.For litigators and advocates committed to saving the planet and the people who depend on it, Senior Attorney at Earthjustice is the best job on the planet. Learn more about our Senior Attorney careers and work online here: .To Apply:Interested candidates should submit the following online via the Jobvite system:
    • Resume.
    • One to two-page cover letter that addresses at least the following subjects: (1) Why you are drawn to this position and whether there are particular legal, environmental, or justice issues that inspire you, and (2) Aspects of your background that demonstrate competence to work with diverse clients and colleagues.
    • Writing sample that reflects your own legal analysis and writing (i.e., not jointly written with other people).Please reach out to if you are having technical difficulties submitting your application. No phone calls, drop-ins, or hard copies.Earthjustice is driven by a passion for justice, partnership, and excellence. Our core values lead us to seek a broad range of perspectives and backgrounds to achieve our mission and to maintain an inclusive environment where all staff are valued and respected. As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to employment practices that ensure that employees and applicants for employment are provided with equal opportunities without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, or any other factor that is not related to the position.For positions located within the City and County of San Francisco: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
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Keywords: Earthjustice, San Francisco , Senior Attorney, National Climate, Legal , San Francisco, California