One-Year Project Attorney, Mid-Pacific Regional Office

Earthjustice is the premier nonprofit environmental law organization. We take on the biggest, most 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 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 guided by a passionate, ambitious vision for the future for people and our planet: until justice stands for all, we will never rest. We are here because the earth needs a good lawyer.  Earthjustice’s Mid-Pacific Regional Office works to safeguard a natural and cultural heritage unique to Hawai’i and the greater Pacific region, working with local and national groups to protect fragile marine and island ecosystems, restore water and cultural rights to Native communities, promote clean energy, and address threats to health. The team is seeking a one-year Project Attorney with 2-3 years of litigation experience to provide support while team members are on temporary leave. Under the supervision of the Managing Attorney and guidance of other Senior Attorneys, the Project Attorney will contribute to the team’s legal advocacy by supporting the development of legal strategy, conducting factual and legal research, drafting memos, and more. This is a full-time role at 37.5 hours/week. Preference will be given to those who can work a hybrid schedule from Earthjustice’s Honolulu, HI office. All candidates must be barred in Hawai’i. We are seeking those who can begin in October or November 2025 and work for 12 months.    Responsibilities: 

• Work closely with Earthjustice attorneys, professional staff, and clients to evaluate potential legal advocacy opportunities to protect and advance the interests of communities and the environment.
• Participate in a range of tasks involved in developing strategic legal advocacy, including factual investigation, legal research and analysis, memo writing, drafting comments or briefs, and monitoring or participating in agency meetings and administrative hearings.
• Interact with clients and work with experts to develop a clear understanding of the facts involved in each case and, ultimately, to support our campaign goals.   
• Duties may vary depending on level of experience.   

Qualifications: 

• Law school graduate and admitted to the Hawai’i State Bar.
• 2-3 years of post-graduate, legal experience.
• Excellent research, analytical, writing, and communication skills.
• Sound and creative judgement.
• Ability to work independently and in collaboration with others.
• Alignment with Earthjustice’s core values: justice, partnership, inclusion, and excellence.
• Demonstrated ability to work sensitively and respectfully with individuals from diverse cultures, backgrounds, and orientations.
• Familiarity with ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi and Hawaiʻi Pidgin English, a plus.
• Experience working in a public interest, public service, or social justice space, preferred.
• Experience with environmental law with familiarity of environmental and cultural issues in Hawai’i, a plus. 

Compensation:  We offer a competitive salary and excellent, comprehensive benefits. We also offer a casual and congenial work environment. Salaries at Earthjustice are determined by experience level and working location. The annual salary range for this role based in Honolulu, HI is $113,100.00 - $117,100.00. To Apply:   Interested candidates should submit the following materials via Jobvite. Preference will be given to candidates who apply by 5:00pm PT on Monday, August 25, 2025, after which applications may be reviewed on a rolling basis until the role is filled. Incomplete applications will not be considered. 

• 1-2 page resume.
• 1-2 page cover letter noting whether you can work from the Honolulu, HI office.  
• (select “Add Files” in Jobvite): writing sample, preferably a legal brief or memorandum that is either unedited or only lightly edited by someone other than you. Include a cover page explaining the extent the sample was edited by someone else.
• Finalists will be asked to provide 3 professional references, 2 of whom must be former or current supervisors. 

Information about our hiring process and tips for success can be found at https://earthjustice.org/about/jobs/hiring-process. Please reach out to jobs@earthjustice.org if you are having