Project Attorney, Oceans

Earthjustice; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 117,000 - 129,000; Full time

Job summary

Earthjustice's Oceans Program in Seattle or San Francisco seeks a project attorney for a 2.5-year term starting January 2027. The attorney will litigate and advocate on U.S.

ocean protections, work with partner groups, and coordinate strategies to strengthen legal frameworks for marine biodiversity and climate resilience. Applicants must be a law school graduate with bar admission and 2–5 years post-law school experience, strong research, writing, and collaboration skills, and willingness to

Qualifications

• Law school graduate with active bar membership and admitted to, or willing to apply for admission to, the relevant state bar.
• 2-5 years of post-law school legal experience.
• Excellent research, analytic, writing, and communication skills.
• Commitment to public interest and Earthjustice's mission.

Responsibilities

• Work closely with Earthjustice attorneys to strengthen and reform U.S. ocean protection frameworks.
• Conduct factual and legal research, drafting, and cross-organizational coordination.
• Represent Earthjustice in meetings with partner organizations, virtually and in-person.
• Build cases with scientists and staff to support litigation goals and policies.
• Engage in administrative advocacy and complex litigation tasks, including memo writing and briefing.
• Interact with clients and experts to understand facts and advance litigation strategies.

Skills

Legal research

Written communication

Analytical thinking

Oral communication

Team collaboration

Education

J.D. or equivalent

Job description

The Oceans Program focuses both domestically and internationally on protecting marine wildlife and ocean ecosystems and combatting the causes and consequences of a rapidly changing climate. We do this through litigation and advocacy to: (1) Protect marine biodiversity and the marine ecosystem from destructive industrial fishing practices and other harmful human activities and advocating to build/restore resilience in critical ecosystems; and (2) Combat climate change and protect the ocean ecosystem from harm caused by expanded and unfettered offshore oil and gas drilling.

Our team currently consists of ten full-time attorneys, a full-time litigation paralegal, and a part-time litigation paralegal. The person in this position would work on oceans matters in the United States. For more information about the work of the Oceans Program, visit https://earthjustice.org/about/offices/oceans

Earthjustice is the nation’s leading environmental law organization. Wielding the power of law, Earthjustice partners with our clients to take on the most critical fights of our time — fights to protect the incredible biodiversity and wild places of the planet; to avert climate disaster by transitioning society away from fossil fuels toward clean energy; and to safeguard the right of all people to a healthy environment. We are here because the earth needs a good lawyer.

Founded in 1971, Earthjustice has a distinguished track record of achieving significant, lasting environmental protections. We achieve this by hiring people who share a passion for justice and a healthy environment. Our headquarters are in San Francisco with offices in Anchorage, Bozeman, Chicago, Denver, Honolulu, Houston, Juneau, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, Seattle, Tallahassee and Washington, D.C.

This position is for a 2.5-year term beginning January 2027. At the end of this term, we expect that the Project Attorney will be prepared and well-positioned to contribute to the broader oceans conservation community, having gained experience, relationships, strategic orientation, and cross-organizational perspective.

This is a hybrid role based in our Seattle or San Francisco office and requires regular in-person attendance.

Responsibilities:

Attorneys perform a range of litigation and advocacy-related tasks including:

• Work closely with Earthjustice attorneys and coordinate with colleagues in partner organizations on strategies to strengthen and reform the legal frameworks governing U.S. ocean protection.
• Conduct factual and legal research, analysis, drafting, and cross-organizational coordination.
• Along with Oceans Program attorneys, represent Earthjustice in virtual and in-person meetings with partner organizations.
• Work closely with Earthjustice attorneys, scientists, and professional staff to build cases and support policies that serve a diverse set of clients.
• Participate in the full range of tasks involved in administrative advocacy and complex litigation, including factual investigation, legal research, memo writing, briefing, and oral advocacy.
• Interact with clients and work with experts to develop a clear understanding of the facts involved in each case and, ultimately, to support our litigation goals.

Required Qualifications:

• Law school graduate with active bar membership and admitted to, or willing to apply for admission to, the relevant state bar.
• 2-5 years of post-law school legal experience.
• Excellent research, analytic, writing, and communication skills.
• Strong and demonstrated work ethic, good judgment, initiative, and creativity.
• Strong desire to fight for the right of all to a healthy environment.
• Ability to work well independently and in a team-oriented atmosphere.
• Commitment to serving the public interest and a passion for the role of Earthjustice and its mission.
• Contributes towards an equitable and inclusive work culture that encourages partnership, active listening, and integrating diverse perspectives.
• Supports Earthjustice’s core values of partnership, inclusion, justice and excellence.
• High level of emotional intelligence and excellent interpersonal skills.
• Ability and willingness to travel as needed.

We offer a mission- and employee-focused work environment and a competitive compensation package, including excellent benefits. Earthjustice is an equal opportunity employer and highly values diversity. As a 501(c)(3) organization, Earthjustice is a qualifying employer for purposes of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program.

Salary depends on experience and location.

Salary range in Seattle, WA: $116,600 - $129,200

Salary range in San Francisco, CA: $122,700 - $136,000

Please reach out to [e-mail] if you are having technical difficulties submitting your application. No phone calls, drop-ins, or hard copies.

Earthjustice is driven by a passion for justice, partnership, inclusion and excellence. Our core values lead us to seek a broad range of perspectives and backgrounds to achieve our mission and to maintain an inclusive environment where all staff are valued and respected. As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to employment practices that ensure that employees and applicants for employment are given 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 specified under applicable laws 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.

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