Part-time Law Clerk Fall 2025 - Energy Justice

Biological Diversity; Washington (District of Columbia); Remote; USD 10,000 - 60,000; Part time

Job summary

An established non-profit organization is seeking a dedicated part-time Law Clerk to join its Energy Justice Program. This role involves engaging with critical issues surrounding the clean energy transition, providing legal support for litigation and policy advocacy. As a Law Clerk, you will conduct legal research, draft memos, and assist in preparing filings, all while gaining valuable experience in environmental advocacy. This position offers the flexibility of remote work or locations in Washington D.C. or Oakland, CA, making it an exciting opportunity for law students passionate about environmental justice.

Qualifications

• Must be a 3L law student or pursuing LLM.
• Strong legal research and writing skills required.

Responsibilities

• Conduct legal research and writing for litigation and policy projects.
• Assist with brief writing and prepare legal memos.

Skills

Legal Research

Legal Writing

Environmental Law

Administrative Law

Education

3L Law Student

LLM Student

Job description

Job Title: Law Clerk

Program: Energy Justice

Employment Type: [ ] Salary [X] Hourly

[X] Part-time [ ] Full-time

[X] Temporary [ ] Regular

Reports to: Senior Attorney

Direct Reports to this position: N/A

Salary Range: $18.07/hr

Location:
Washington D.C., Oakland, or Remote

Is this position in the Bargaining Unit? [ ] Yes [X] No

Application process: Please upload your cover letter explaining your interest in working in the Center’s Energy Justice Program, resume, writing sample (no longer than 10 pages), transcript (unofficial is fine) and two references as a single document via our website. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Interviews are conducted on a rolling basis. You will be notified if you are selected for an interview.

ABOUT THE CENTER
The Center for Biological Diversity, a national 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, believes the welfare of human beings is deeply linked to nature — to the existence of a vast diversity of wild animals, plants and people. Because diversity has intrinsic value, and because its loss impoverishes society, we work to secure a future for all species, great and small, hovering on the brink of extinction. We do so through science, law, activism and creative media, with a focus on protecting the lands, waters and climate that humans, other species and all communities need to survive and thrive.

We want those who come after us to inherit a world where the wild is still alive.

POSITION SUMMARY
The Center for Biological Diversity is currently looking for a part-time law clerk for Fall 2025 to work in the Center’s Energy Justice Program remotely, in Washington, DC, or in Oakland, CA.

General Overview: The Energy Justice Program works on cutting-edge issues concerning the clean energy transition, including combating utility and other industry obstacles to clean energy, and advancing the transformative energy policies critical for the planet and species. Law clerks work on litigation and policy projects in support of the Program’s advocacy efforts. Law clerks assist with the Program’s work on litigation, administrative advocacy, and policy development.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Conduct legal research and writing, including preparing legal memos, assisting with brief writing, preparing filings, investigating new cases, and drafting official policy comments.
• On occasion, opportunities to observe court arguments or attend agency hearings.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

• Must be a 3L law student, or a student pursuing their LLM, to be eligible;
• Strong legal research and writing skills;
• Background or experience in energy, environmental, and/or administrative law preferred.

AREAS IN WHICH SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE WILL BE GAINED

• Clerks will gain experience in environmental advocacy, particularly in the energy transition area, drawing on litigation, science, media, and grassroots organizing strategies to fight for the environment.

WORKING CONDITIONS

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The ideal candidate must be able to complete all physical requirements of this job with or without a reasonable accommodation.

This is not a complete description of all workplace conditions, and conditions are subject to change per the Organization’s discretion.

Cognitive

Ability to process and analyze information: [ ] Rarely [ ] Occasionally [X] Frequently

Exchange accurate information: [ ] Rarely [ ] Occasionally [X] Frequently

Communicate and express oneself with others: [ ] Rarely [ ] Occasionally [X] Frequently

Interaction with other colleagues: [ ] Rarely [ ] Occasionally [X] Frequently

Interaction with the public/co-collaborators: [ ] Rarely [X] Occasionally [ ] Frequently

Physical

Reading (ingest data): [ ] Rarely [ ] Occasionally [X] Frequently

Working on a computer: [ ] Rarely [ ] Occasionally [X] Frequently

Typing: [ ] Rarely [ ] Occasionally [X] Frequently

Writing by hand: [ ] Rarely [X] Occasionally [ ] Frequently

Sitting: [ ] Rarely [ ] Occasionally [X] Frequently

Walking: [ ] Rarely [X] Occasionally [ ] Frequently

Standing: [ ] Rarely [X] Occasionally [ ] Frequently

Lift/Carry 0-25 lbs: [X] Rarely [ ] Occasionally [ ] Frequently

Lift/Carry 25-75 lbs: [X] Rarely [ ] Occasionally [ ] Frequently

Hiking: [X] Rarely [ ] Occasionally [ ] Frequently

Climbing up or down stairs: [ ] Rarely [X] Occasionally [ ] Frequently

Bending: [X] Rarely [ ] Occasionally [ ] Frequently

Squatting: [X] Rarely [ ] Occasionally [ ] Frequently

Reaching overhead: [X] Rarely [ ] Occasionally [ ] Frequently

Repetitive motions: [ ] Rarely [ ] Occasionally [X] Frequently

Ability to drive: [X] Rarely [ ] Occasionally [ ] Frequently

Location Conditions

In person required (versus remote work): [ ] Rarely [X] Occasionally [ ] Frequently

Travel required: [X] Rarely [ ] Occasionally [ ] Frequently

Night or weekend work: [X] Rarely [ ] Occasionally [ ] Frequently

JEDAI STATEMENT

The Center for Biological Diversity deeply values, and is committed to sustaining and promoting, both biological and cultural diversity. We welcome, embrace and respect diversity of people, identities and cultures. We are committed to fostering an organizational culture of diversity and inclusion. The Center believes staff and board diversity is critical to saving life on Earth.

We are an equal opportunity employer.

The Center complies with all federal and local laws regarding work authorization for new hires. We welcome and encourage anyone interested to apply to any of our open positions. Everyone, regardless of current work authorization, will be considered.

Exempt Classification: Non-Exempt

Applicable Exemption: N/A

• Reasoning behind this classification: Transactional administrative work with minimal discretion, work is predominately routine in nature and the output can generally be standardized in relation to a given period of time.

Application process: Please upload your cover letter explaining your interest in working in the Center’s Energy Justice Program, resume, writing sample (no longer than 10 pages), transcript (unofficial is fine) and two references as a single document via our website. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Interviews are conducted on a rolling basis. You will be notified if you are selected for an interview.