Associate/Sr. Associate Attorney-Clean Air & Water

Environmental Law & Policy Center; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 94,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Environmental Law & Policy Center in Chicago, IL, seeks an Associate or Senior Associate Attorney for the Clean Water/Air program. The attorney will litigate to protect safe water and clean air, enforce permits, and pursue federal court actions to ensure compliance with the Clean Water Act and Clean Air Act.

The position reports to the Managing Attorney, Clean Water/Air Program, and requires 2–5 years of relevant experience and a JD. Hybrid work in Chicago with in-office days is expected.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor degree required and licensed to practice.
• 2–5 years of relevant legal experience, preferably with an environmental non-profit or advocacy type organization.
• Excellent legal research, writing, and advocacy skills.
• Ability to handle complex technical cases and work with diverse stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Litigate to protect clean water and air, challenging permits and agency rules.
• Draft pleadings, motions, declarations, and discovery requests.
• Coordinate with expert witnesses and clients.
• Engage with communities, partners, and media; support fundraising and policy initiatives.
• Mentor junior attorneys, fellows, and interns.

Skills

Legal research

Oral advocacy

Strategic analysis

Independent work

Collaboration

Commitment to environmental protection

Knowledge of Clean Air Act

Knowledge of Clean Water Act

Education

Juris Doctor degree

Job description

About ELPC:

The Environmental Law & Policy Center is the Midwest’s leading environmental legal advocacy organization. We drive transformational policy changes with national impacts. We show that environmental progress and economic development can be achieved together by putting sustainability principles into practice. We advance climate solutions effectively by accelerating clean renewable energy alternatives to conventional power plants and advancing clean transportation solutions. We protect the Great Lakes and defend the Midwest’s wild and natural places, and we fight for safe, clean water and healthy clean air for all. We combine effective public interest litigation with strategic policy advocacy, sound science, and economic analysis. ELPC produces strong results for the environment in the courtrooms, boardrooms, and legislative hearing rooms across the pivotal Midwest states and in Washington D.C.

This is a great opportunity for an attorney with keen interest in protecting public health and the environment from pollution by heavy industry, agriculture (particularly, Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations) and other sources (e.g., data centers) and looking for an opportunity to defend critical environmental protections from ongoing federal rollbacks.

Come join our winning team of talented, mission-driven professionals, who passionately work together to protect the environment and natural resources in the Midwest region.

JOB SUMMARY:

The Clean Water/Air Associate Attorney will litigate and advocate to protect safe, clean water and healthy clean air around the Midwest. Matters will include administrative cases to tighten or enforce environmental permits and federal court litigation to require compliance with the Clean Water Act and Clean Air Act. This attorney will also work on ELPC’s wide-ranging efforts to oppose ongoing federal rollbacks of environmental protections.

POSITION TITLE: Associate or Senior Associate Attorney-Clean Water/Air (full time)

REPORTS TO: Managing Attorney, Clean Water/Air Program

LOCATION: Chicago, IL with a hybrid work environment that includes required days in the office each week

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Litigate a range of cases to protect access to clean water and air, including challenges to and enforcement of environmental permits and agency rules
  
  
  
  • Conduct factual and legal research to develop and prosecute claims
  
  
  • Draft pleadings, declarations, motions and discovery requests
  
  
  • Coordinate with expert witnesses
  
  
  • Engage with clients, partner organizations, and impacted communities
  
  
  
  


• Draft comments on proposed rules from U.S. EPA and other agencies


• Collaborate with communications team to promote program work through engagement with the media and public education


• Contribute to policy initiatives to promote clean air and clean water


• Assist in fundraising


• Mentor junior attorneys, fellows and/or legal interns as applicable


• Other duties, as assigned.

Education & Experience (years):

• Juris Doctor degree


• 2 - 5 years of relevant legal experience, preferably with an environmental non-profit or advocacy type organization

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Excellent legal research writing, oral advocacy and strategic analysis skills


• Facility with highly complex legal issues that often arise in scientific or technical context


• Ability to work independently and collaborate with colleagues


• Commitment to environmental protection


• Knowledge/experience with Clean Air Act and/or Clean Water Act is a strong plus

Estimated Travel:

• 5-10 % domestic travel

Salary:

For candidates who meet the minimum requirements, the salary range will be $98,940-$120,360. ELPC also offers a very attractive benefits package competitive to leading national environmental non-profits.