Senior Attorney, Right to Zero Hub

Earthjustice seeks a Senior Attorney to join our Right to Zero Hub. This position will focus on work to compel a shift away from fossil fuels and toward equitable zero-emissions solutions across the transportation, industrial, and building sectors, including by drafting model legislation and policies and supporting Earthjustice teams in their work to advance electrification of key transportation corridors in the United States.  

Earthjustice is the nation’s premier nonprofit environmental law organization. We take on major, precedent-setting cases across the country. We wield the power of law and the strength of partnership to protect people’s health; to preserve magnificent places and wildlife; to advance clean energy; and to combat climate change. We partner with thousands of groups, supporters, individuals and communities to engage the critical environmental issues of our time, and bring about positive change. We are here because the earth needs a good lawyer.  

Founded in 1971, Earthjustice has a distinguished history of using litigation and advocacy to achieve significant, lasting environmental protections. We achieve this by hiring people who share a passion for justice and a healthy environment.  Our headquarters are in San Francisco with offices in Anchorage, Juneau, Los Angeles, Tallahassee, Miami, Honolulu, New York, Philadelphia, Denver, Seattle, Bozeman, Chicago, Houston, and Washington, D.C.  

Earthjustice has a longstanding track record of success with our litigation and advocacy to attack dangerous air emissions and climate pollution, and to advance a transition from fossil fuels to clean energy. In recent years, we have achieved major successes in shifting to a zero-emissions future in California in which fossil fuels will be replaced by clean energy, including advancing zero-emission transportation. We see this position as an opportunity to further this work across the country.  

This Senior Attorney will reside in our Right to Zero Hub, which is a catalyst space for programs, teams, communications and other Earthjustice professionals to help scale up zero-emissions technologies across the country. The Senior Attorney will work closely with our team of attorneys, Research and Policy Analysts, and Litigation Assistants/Legal Practice Administrators across the organization. 

The position can be located in any of our Earthjustice offices, where we follow a hybrid in-office schedule. It is available to start immediately. 

Responsibilities  

• Draft model legislation and policies to advance equitable zero-emission solutions.  
• Identify options to support the shift to zero-emissions across the industry, buildings, and transportation sectors. 
• Conduct and supervise advocacy before agencies, state and local governments, as warranted. Coordinate the development and execution of advocacy strategies related to efforts to electrify transportation corridors, in collaboration with attorneys, policy staff and communications staff as appropriate. 
• Provide trainings internally and externally on strategies to advance zero-emission technologies. 
• Collaborate with litigation teams on Right to Zero litigation. 
• Conduct factual investigations and develop legal theories for possible advocacy or litigation advancing the goals of our clients. 
• Supervise the work of Associate Attorneys, Policy Advocates, Research Analysts, Litigation Assistants, and Law Clerks individually and as part of litigation teams. 
• Work effectively with other departments within Earthjustice, including Communications, Development, Operations, and Policy and Legislation. 
• Collaborate with and oversee the work of technical experts. 
• Serve as spokesperson for Earthjustice, clients, and partners. 
• Help develop and execute effective media strategies. 
• Join other staff in long-term planning, strategy development, goal-setting, and work plan management that advances a collective vision for future Right to Zero work. 
• Participate as an active member of a learning and mentorship culture, and engage with colleagues in 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. 
• Recruit and hire qualified candidates who fit position requirements and the work environment.  
• Promote change in terms of the expected benefits, as well as removing or lowering the impact of potential obstacles. 
• Set clear team direction that aligns with Earthjustice strategy, mission, and vision. 
• Develop staff by identifying and encouraging training and professional development opportunities appropriate to role and creating development plans for all staff