Earthjustice is now accepting applications for a Deputy Managing Attorney in the Northeast Region, to help manage a growing office with an ambitious environmental agenda.  The successful candidate will have a strong interest and demonstrated experience in guiding the work and professional development of direct reports as well as the proven capacity to lead environmental litigation and other legal advocacy.  The new deputy will work closely with the region’s Managing Attorney to provide effective supervision, to create an inclusive workplace, and to lead litigation teams advancing organizational and regional environmental priorities.  The position is based in our New York City 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 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 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, Juneau, Los Angeles, Tallahassee, Miami, Honolulu, New York, Philadelphia, Denver, Seattle, Bozeman, and Washington, DC.

The Northeast Region uses cutting-edge litigation and administrative advocacy to end our nation’s addiction to oil and gas, to expedite the transition to clean energy, to protect regional lands and wildlife, and to defend the right of all people to a healthy environment.  Our docket includes litigation and advocacy to defend and to strengthen environmental standards, lawsuits challenging government or industry failure to implement such standards, and other efforts to protect our air, water, land, ecosystems, and human communities.  We work at the national, regional, and local levels, and we are building our capacity to undertake legal advocacy driven by the concerns of environmentally overburdened communities within our region.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Management (approximately 50%)

• Serve as direct supervisor of attorneys, fellows, and litigation assistants, responsible for managing workload, providing performance feedback, and overseeing professional development.
• Work with the Managing Attorney and other staff to recruit and hire qualified candidates for open positions and to provide a supportive work environment.
• Help to ensure the advancement of Earthjustice’s diversity, equity, and inclusion goals and values.
• Assist the Managing Attorney and other staff in developing and implementing regional strategic plans.
• Work with Managing Attorney and Legal Practice Manager on budget, financial management, and other internal operational policies and procedures.
• Work with Managing Attorney and local members of the Development, Communications, and Operations departments to advance their efforts and to incorporate them into the work and life of the office.

Litigation (approximately 50%)

• Develop cases and legal advocacy strategies to support programmatic goals.
• Litigate cases from beginning to end, performing all aspects of litigation.
• Cultivate new and diverse allies and coalition partners and ensure that equity informs all areas of work.
• Collaborate and manage relationships with co-counsel, clients, and coalition partners.
• Serve as spokesperson for Earthjustice, clients, and partners.
• Integrate professionals from other departments within Earthjustice, including Communications and Policy and Legislation, into litigation and legal advocacy.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Attorney with at least 10 years of experience, who is admitted, or willing to apply for admission, to the New York bar.
• Excellent management skills, including ability to oversee work load and balance, to deliver positive and constructive performance feedback, to provide mentoring and career guidance, to develop and implement strategic plans, and to work productively with other departments.
• A demonstrated awareness of and sensitivity to the needs and concerns of individuals from diverse cultures, backgrounds and orientations.
• Commitment to the creation of a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work culture that encourages and celebrates differences.
• A passion for Earthjustice’s Knowledge of and experience in environmental or energy law is strongly preferred.
• Ability to develop and to manage a litigation docket effectively, to lead a litigation team, and to work both independently and in collaboration with colleagues, clients, partners, and experts.
• Ability and willingness to travel as needed for case work, court appearances, and presentations.
• Strong skills in communicating litigation and advocacy goals and messages to the media.
• Ability and willingness to engage effectively in fundraising activities.

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.

TO APPLY:

Interested candidates should submit a:

• Resume.
• One- to two-page cover letter that explains your interest in and approach to effective management.
• Writing sample, preferably a legal brief or memorandum that primarily reflects your work.
• List of three references, including someone you have supervised.

 

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Please, no phone calls, hard copies, or drop-ins. If you're having technical difficulties submitting your application, please reach out to jobs@earthjustice.org

  

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.