2027 Biodiversity Defense Clerkship

Earthjustice; Bozeman (MT); On-site; USD 55,964 - 69,797; Full time

Job summary

Qualifications

• Enrolled in a U.S. law school through fall 2027 and available for ten weeks in summer 2027.
• Summer law clerks work with attorneys on case development and litigation strategy.
• Must work from the U.S. during the clerkship.

Responsibilities

• Draft pleadings and briefs, do legal research, and develop strategy and legal theories.
• Gather evidence and attend client meetings and court proceedings.
• Participate in seminars and other programmatic offerings with attorneys and guest speakers.

Skills

Legal research

Legal writing

Pleadings & briefs

Courtroom communication

Education

Law student (U.S.)

Job description

BIODIVERSITY DEFENSE PROGRAM

The Biodiversity Defense Program fights to reshape our relationship to lands, water, and wildlife everywhere by confronting the major drivers of the decline in nature, including habitat destruction and over-exploitation of wildlife. The program’s work brings Earthjustice’s strategic, collaborative, and hard-hitting approach to environmental protection into new issue areas and geographies. Additionally, we defend key environmental policies, such as the Endangered Species Act’s crucial protection of habitat critical to the survival of species.

Description

The Biodiversity Defense Program fights to reshape our relationship to lands, water, and wildlife everywhere by confronting the major drivers of the decline in nature, including habitat destruction and over exploitation of wildlife. The program’s work brings Earthjustice’s strategic, collaborative, and hard-hitting approach to environmental protection into new issue areas and geographies. Additionally, we defend key environmental policies, such as the Endangered Species Act’s crucial protection of habitat critical to the survival of species.

About Us

Founded in 1971, Earthjustice has a distinguished track record of achieving significant, lasting environmental protections. 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 partner with thousands of groups and supporters to take on the biggest, most precedent-setting cases across the country and have a distinguished track record of achieving significant, lasting environmental protections. We are here because the earth needs a good lawyer.

We welcome all interested law students from across the country to apply for a summer law clerk position. We expect that students will work proximate to or in an office where the program is located.

Responsibilities

Summer Law Clerks will have the opportunity to work with several attorneys on case development and litigation strategy. Students may draft pleadings and briefs, do legal research, develop strategy and legal theories, gather evidence, and attend client meetings and court proceedings. Earthjustice’s summer law clerk program also includes various programmatic offerings, such as in‑person and virtual seminars with attorneys and guest speakers on current environmental issues, interactions with other local and regional environmental groups, and a job interview workshop.

Compensation

Earthjustice summer law clerkships are paid positions. The total stipend amount will be dependent on any external funding a student secures, such as through their law school’s summer funding program. Earthjustice will provide a one‑time stipend at the start of the clerkship in the amount of $1,382.00 per week, minus the total amount received from any other sources and applicable taxes. The summer law clerkship is designed to be 10 weeks long at full‑time hours (37.5 hours/ week).

You are welcome to pursue outside funding. The ability to secure outside funding will not be considered as part of the hiring process.

How to Apply

Eligibility: Candidates must be enrolled in a U.S. law school through fall 2027 (i.e., not graduating before December 2027) and be available to commit ten weeks during summer 2027. Summer law clerks must work from the U.S. during their clerkship.

Interested candidates should submit their complete application via Jobvite by September 7, 2026. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Each Earthjustice litigation team participates in clerk hiring; candidates may submit applications to whichever and however many litigation teams they are interested. Please be prepared to respond to our September follow‑up e‑mail, requesting your ranked choice of the teams for which you have applied. Do not include such rankings within your Jobvite application.

Application Materials Requested

• Resume
• Cover letter that addresses:
  • Relevant aspects of your background that are not apparent or fully explained in your resume.
  • Why you are drawn to Earthjustice’s mission and the litigation teams you are applying for.
  • Whether there are particular environmental or public interest issues that inspire you.
• Additional documents (via Jobvite “Add Files”):
  • A recent legal writing sample of no more than 10 pages. Please include a cover page indicating the extent to which your writing sample reflects edits and feedback from others.
  • Unofficial transcript.
• Finalists will be asked to submit two references; these may be law school faculty or legal professional, clinical, or volunteer supervisors.

Resources

While identical applications for each team will be considered, we recommend tailoring your cover letter to describe why you are interested in that specific team. Additional information about our hiring process and tips for success can be found at https://earthjustice.org/about/jobs/hiring-process.

If you experience any technical difficulties or require any accommodations throughout the hiring process, please contact us at [email protected] No phone calls, drop‑ins, or hard copies.