Fall 2026 Legal Externship – Biodiversity Defense Program
Earthjustice is the nation's leading environmental law organization. We wield the power of law and the strength of partnership to protect people’s health, preserve magnificent places and wildlife, advance clean energy, and combat climate change. We are here because the Earth needs a good lawyer.
Driven by a passion for justice, inclusion, partnership, and excellence, our core values lead us to seek a broad range of perspectives and backgrounds to achieve our mission and maintain an inclusive environment where all staff are valued and respected.
Earthjustice’s Biodiversity Defense Program is accepting applications for one full- or part-time legal extern for fall 2026. We are seeking law students who share a passion for justice and a healthy environment, and who are eligible to receive academic credit or fulfill a graduation requirement through this externship. The successful candidate may work remotely within the U.S. or on a hybrid schedule from Earthjustice’s Bozeman, Denver, New York, San Francisco, or Seattle office.
The Biodiversity Defense Program focuses on the biggest drivers of biodiversity loss, including habitat destruction and over-exploitation (or over-hunting) of wildlife. As the scope of this work is so immense and intersectional, a key piece of the program’s strategy is partnering with our regional offices and programs to add litigation and policy knowledge to their work and to build new partnerships. Additionally, we defend key environmental policies, such as the Endangered Species Act’s crucial protection of habitat critical to the survival of species.
Responsibilities:
Under the supervision of an attorney, the legal extern will contribute legal research and writing related to new and ongoing cases for the Biodiversity Defense Program. The legal extern may also have the opportunity to sit in on meetings with opposing counsel or clients, observe court proceedings, and participate in legal strategy discussions.
Qualifications:
- Enrolled in law school as a 2L or 3L during fall 2026.
- Must be eligible to receive academic credit or fulfill a graduation requirement through this externship.
- Excellent writing, research, analytical and organizational skills.
- Familiarity with legal research tools, including Westlaw.
- Strong work ethic, initiative, and ability to think creatively.
- Ability to work collegially with others and independently.
- Knowledge of environmental and administrative law is a plus.
- Interest in public interest law and social justice.
- Must commit to at least 15 hours/week.
Physical Requirements:
This role may require the ability to:
- Sit for extended periods with occasional standing and walking
- Type, file, and/or handle office equipment
- Lift and carry materials
- Read documents, conduct computer work and document review
Compensation:
Legal externs are unpaid and must receive academic credit or fulfill a graduation requirement for their work with Earthjustice.
To Apply:
Interested candidates should submit the following materials by 5:00pm PT on Friday, May 15, 2026 via Jobvite. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Applications will be reviewed beginning May 18 with offers extended no later than July 8.
- Resume.
- Cover letter – In one page, (1) Address why you want to work with the Biodiversity Defense Program and any information about yourself that is not apparent or fully explained in the resume; (2) Note the number of hours, or a reasonable estimate, you will be able to work each week; (3) Confirm that you can earn academic credit from your law school or that you will fulfill a graduation requirement through this externship; and (4) Indicate any applicable deadlines or requirements that are relevant to your submission or ability to accept an offer.
- Additional Documents (select “Add Files” in Jobvite): (1) Recent writing sample, preferably a legal brief or memorandum of no more than 10 pages that primarily reflects your work. Please include a cover page indicating the extent to which your writing sample reflects edits and feedback from others; and (2) Official or unofficial law school transcript.
- Finalists will be asked to submit 2 references, including one law professor or legal employer.
Information about our hiring process and tips for success can be found at https://earthjustice.org/about/jobs/hiring-process. Please reach out to [email protected] if you are having technical difficulties submitting your application. No phone calls, drop-ins, or hard copies. Earthjustice only considers applications submitted for current openings via Jobvite. Unsolicited resumes or resumes for posted positions that are not submitted via Jobvite will not be reviewed or retained.
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.
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.