Environmental Law Associate — Climate Justice (Oakland)

Sierra Club; Oakland (CA); On-site; USD 112,640 - 149,596; Full time

Job summary

The Sierra Club seeks an Associate Attorney for its Environmental Law Program at the national headquarters in Oakland, California, beginning September 2027. This position is intended for recent law school graduates and early-career attorneys.

As part of the national legal team, you will coordinate environmental litigation, provide legal advice to chapters, help strategize campaigns, and participate as counsel in select matters during the second year.

Qualifications

• Law school graduate by August or September 2027; admitted to or willing to apply for admission to the California Bar.
• 0+ years of post-law school legal experience by August or September 2027.
• Excellent writing and analytical skills.
• Strong interpersonal and consensus-building skills.
• Passion for the Sierra Club’s mission.
• Basic knowledge of environmental law.
• Committed to evolution and openness to addressing systems of oppression.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate proposed environmental litigation; support leadership in deciding participation in formal matters.
• Oversee the national litigation docket and assist in resolving issues in ongoing lawsuits.
• Support chapters’ legal strategies and objectives; secure effective outside counsel.
• Ensure litigation advances equity, inclusion, and justice per the Jemez Principles.
• Assist in litigating cases aligned with national priority campaigns in the second year.

Skills

Excellent writing and analytical

Interpersonal and consensus-building

Passion for Sierra Club mission

Basic knowledge of environmental law

Committed to evolution

Uplifting and additive

Education

Law school graduate by Aug/Sep 2027; CA Bar admission

Job description

The Sierra Club seeks an Associate Attorney for its Environmental Law Program at the national headquarters in Oakland, California, beginning September 2027. This position is intended for recent law school graduates and early-career attorneys.

As part of the national legal team, you will coordinate environmental litigation, provide legal advice to chapters, help strategize campaigns, and participate as counsel in select matters during the second year.