Senior Attorney, Clean Energy

Earthjustice seeks a Senior Attorney to join our team of lawyers who work to accelerate a shift from coal- and gas-fired electricity generation, to advance clean energy throughout the country, and to address the toxic legacy of fossil fuel combustion.  The Senior Attorney will  focus on litigation, advocacy and strategy before administrative bodies and courts in support of an equitable transition to clean, affordable, and reliable energy. The work will include a focus on ensuring that the coal industry addresses toxic coal waste polluting our environment and jeopardizing human health.  Earthjustice is the nation’s leading environmental law organization. Wielding the power of law, Earthjustice partners with our clients to take on the most critical fights of our time—fights to protect the incredible biodiversity and wild places of the planet; to avert climate disaster by transitioning society away from fossil fuels toward clean energy; to safeguard the right of all people to a healthy environment. 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 people 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, Seattle, Tallahassee and Washington, D.C.  Earthjustice’s Clean Energy Program litigates and advocates in state and federal courts and before energy regulators across the country to advance an equitable clean energy transition. Our work includes expanding and increasing access to clean energy resources; advocating for the closure of coal-fired power plants; opposing efforts to build new gas-fired power plants; and advocating for the cleanup of coal waste.  We represent and partner with diverse clients individually and as part of coalitions.   The Senior Attorney role will focus primarily on litigation and advocacy strategies to ensure that the coal industry is held accountable for cleaning up decades of coal waste contamination that jeopardizes human health and the environment.  The Senior Attorney will also contribute to advancing other Clean Energy Program priorities.  It is preferred that this position be performed hybrid in one of Earthjustice’s offices, particularly one of the Clean Energy Program’s program offices (New York City, Philadelphia, Chicago, Washington DC, Los Angeles, or San Francisco). Remote candidates will also be considered.  Responsibilities  

• Lead complex climate and energy cases before administrative agencies, and state and federal courts, with a particular focus on administrative and enforcement actions involving coal ash management.  

• Lead litigation and advocacy efforts, and perform the full range of litigation tasks, including conducting factual investigations, developing legal theories, securing expert testimony, submitting comments, petitions, briefs, and oral arguments. 

• Collaborate in team problem solving, litigation strategy, and project management. 

• Prepare discovery, pleadings, testimony, cross-examination, briefs, and oral argument in state and federal regulatory proceedings and court proceedings. 

• Collaborate with and oversee the work of technical experts. 

• Work with our media and policy and legislation teams, as well as clients and partners, to leverage legal advocacy to obtain positive change and results.    

• Supervise and mentor Associate Attorneys, interns, and litigation assistants.   

• Collaborate and manage relationships with co-counsel, clients, and coalition partners to investigate, develop, and litigate cases. 

• Join other staff in long-term planning, strategy development, goal setting, and work plan management that advances Earthjustice’s work. 

• Build and maintain effective working relationships with new and diverse clients and other partner organizations. 

• Serve as spokesperson for Earthjustice, clients, and partners and help develop and execute effective media strategies. 

• Support and contribute to a positive, respectful, supportive, and collegial work environment and help to advance Earthjustice’s efforts to create a diverse and inclusive workplace that centers around equity and justice.  

Qualifications  

• Law school graduate admitted, or eligible for admission to the applicable bar within 14 months of employment. 

• 6+ years of litigation and legal advocacy experience, working both independently and in a coalition setting. Experience with administrative and environmental law, including enforcement, are preferred. 

• Licensed to practice law in the US jurisdiction in which the attorney will be located