Attorney

Overview

NRDC (the Natural Resources Defense Council) works to safeguard the Earth, its people, its plants and animals, and the natural systems on which all life depends. NRDC combines the power of more than 3 million members and online activists with the expertise of some 800 policy advocates, lawyers, scientists, and communication experts to confront the climate crisis, protect nature, ensure the rights of all people to clean air, clean water, and healthy communities.  As an international nonprofit environmental organization, NRDC is working to address the world’s most urgent environmental challenges, and advance innovative, science-based, and enforceable solutions.  

  

Since our founding in 1970, NRDC has helped craft and deliver many of America’s foundational environmental laws, including the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act and Safe Drinking Water Act. Today, we continue to lead in advancing and defending strong environmental protections at the local, state, federal and international levels, as well as through the marketplace. Our team works across the United States and around the world, from offices in Chicago, Los Angeles, New York City, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C., as well as in Beijing, and New Delhi (a subsidiary of NRDC India Pvt. Ltd.).  

  

Supported by our members and online activists, NRDC is driving impactful solutions that confront the climate crisis, defend nature and safeguard public health across Asia, Africa, and the Americas. At NRDC, we believe lasting change happens when people bring their talent, passion, and expertise together for a common purpose: to build a cleaner, healthier, and more resilient world. Learn more at nrdc.org 

 

NRDC is seeking an Attorney to work with the Litigation Team in any one of our U.S.-based offices. 

Position Summary 

The Attorney litigates cases on behalf of NRDC and outside partners, with the ability to lead record-review cases in federal or state trial or appellate courts with limited oversight by a Senior Attorney. This role also entails participating in other Team-development or institutional work. The position is based in one of NRDC’s main U.S. offices: New York, Washington D.C., Chicago, San Francisco, or Santa Monica, with a preference for candidates located in Santa Monica.   

 

This position is part of the bargaining unit represented by The Washington Baltimore News Guild (WBNG / The Newsguild-CWA Local 32035).  

Responsibilities

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the following essential functions:

 

Active litigation (~85-90%)

• Litigate cases on behalf of NRDC and its partners, including leading record-review cases, drafting complaints and briefs, conducting legal research, and negotiating with opposing counsel, with limited oversight by a Senior Attorney.
• Develop or hone oral argument and other court presentation skills, with oversight by a Senior Attorney.
• Work within a case team to litigate complex cases, including discovery cases that may go to trial, with substantial oversight by a Senior Attorney.
• Develop client, co-counsel, and coalition relationships within NRDC and with outside partners.
• Research and act as a team-wide resource, as needed, on cross-cutting litigation issues.

Other team collaboration or institutional engagement (~10-15%)

• Oversee and mentor the work of legal interns, paralegals, and more junior attorneys on specific assignments, including by giving timely feedback and helping with project management.
• Contribute to the Team and NRDC’s litigation capacity in other ways, such as by serving on institutional committees, presenting trainings, drafting guidance documents, building relationships with other components of NRDC and allied groups, and engaging in development outreach.

The above list of duties is not comprehensive but generally demonstrates the types of matters under this position’s responsibility. Other duties may be assigned.

Qualifications

Minimum Education & Experience: 

Required

• Juris Doctorate degree.
• Admission to the state bar in the jurisdiction in which the applicant intends to practice, or a willingness to complete the requirements for admission to that bar before or during the first year of employment with NRDC. (NRDC covers a portion of any necessary bar exam and bar preparation expenses.)
• Minimum 3 to 8 years of post-law school experience, including active litigation experience, with at least 4 years of post-law school experience preferred.

Skills, Abilities, Competencie