Associate Attorney, International
Earthjustice seeks an associate attorney to join our International Program. The Associate Attorney will support and collaborate with our team of lawyers and scientists working to safeguard the human right to a healthy environment and speed the transition from fossil fuels to clean energy in key countries around the world.
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.
Like the environment itself, Earthjustice’s work transcends national borders. Since 1991, our International Program has been partnering with organizations around the world to establish, strengthen, and enforce national and international legal protections for the environment and human health. Drawing on deep experience in environmental, energy, and human rights law and litigation, we work with partners on foreign and international legal advocacy to reduce dependence on dirty fossil fuels and speed the transition to clean energy in Africa, Australia, Indonesia, Latin America, and elsewhere. Learn about some of the places where we work around the world.
The Associate Attorney position is a three-year position with the opportunity for extension. Many Associates have gone on to other more senior positions within Earthjustice or have joined other public interest organizations. The Associate Attorney program is designed to help attorneys who are in the early stages of their careers to develop into thoughtful, professional, and effective advocates skilled in the various phases of public interest litigation.
This is a hybrid position based preferably in our San Francisco office and requires regular in-person attendance.
Responsibilities
Associate attorneys in the International Program perform a range of tasks to support our partners’ litigation and advocacy strategies, including:
- Conducting legal, policy, and factual research, often on issues of international and foreign law.
- Preparing memoranda in support of partner organization work in foreign jurisdictions.
- Reviewing and analyzing administrative records, scientific reports, policy research, and technical documents related to fossil fuel and clean energy infrastructure.
- Drafting motions, briefs, administrative comments, and other legal and factual documents in support of litigation or administrative proceedings.
- Working with partner organizations, lawyers, and experts from a wide range of cultural, linguistic, and legal backgrounds.
- Participating in communications about our work, such as drafting blog posts or press releases.
- Hiring and supervising law students who work at Earthjustice as interns or clerks.
Qualifications
- Law school graduate admitted to, or qualified and willing to apply for admission to, the Bar in the state in which they will be located.
- 0-5 years of experience post law school.
- Experience or interest in issues related to fossil fuel extraction and infrastructure, energy law and policy, and climate change.
- Excellent research, analytic, writing, and communication skills.
- Strong work ethic and initiative, and sound yet creative judgment.
- Strong desire to fight for the right of all to a healthy environment.
- Ability to work well in a team-oriented atmosphere.
- Awareness of and sensitivity to the needs and concerns of individuals from diverse cultures, backgrounds, and orientations.
- Willingness to contribute to the creation of a diverse, equitable and inclusive work culture that encourages and celebrates differences.
- Ability to thrive in a hybrid office setting combining in-office and remote work and, for a candidate not located in San Francisco, a willingness to travel to San Francisco periodically to work with the team.
The ideal candidate will have knowledge of environmental and/or international law; experience working in a country other than the United States or learning about foreign or international legal systems; and professional fluency in a language other than English.
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. As a 501(c)(3) organization, Earthjustice is a qualifying employer for purposes of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program.
Compensation is based on experience and location. Most of the International Program team is based in San Francisco and we have a strong preference for the associate attorney to be in San Francisco where they can benefit from in-person mentorship and professional development. Exceptional candidates who desire to work from another Earthjustice office location will also be considered.
Interested applicants should submit a:
- Resume;
- One- or two-page cover letter that addresses: 1) aspects of your experience that are relevant; 2) why you are drawn to the work of Earthjustice’s International Program and 3) particular legal, environmental or justice issues that inspire you;
- Writing sample, preferably a legal brief or memorandum that has not been edited by anyone else; and
- Law school transcript.
We are looking to hire a candidate who is available to start no later than September 2026. Applications must be received by May 26, 2026.
Earthjustice brings our associate attorneys on board on a quarterly schedule, during the months of January, April, June, and September.
Please reach out to [email protected] if you are having technical difficulties submitting your application. No phone calls, drop-ins, or hard copies.
Earthjustice is driven by a passion for justice, partnership, inclusion 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 given 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.
For positions located within the City and County of San Francisco: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
For positions located within the City of Los Angeles: We will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring.
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