Senior Environmental Enforcement Litigator

NACBA; San Francisco, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 159,000 - 223,000; Full time

Job summary

Earthjustice, the nation’s leading environmental law organization, seeks a collaborative Senior Attorney to join its enforcement group. The role focuses on developing and litigating federal enforcement cases across diverse venues to protect land, air, and water for affected communities.

The Senior Attorney reports to the Director of Enforcement, shaping strategic plans, building enforcement infrastructure, and mentoring in enforcement litigation across Earthjustice’s offices.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctorate (JD) degree.
• Admitted or willing to seek admission to practice law wherever located.
• At least eight years of experience litigating complex matters, including e-discovery and trial experience.
• Ability to develop cases, manage a litigation docket effectively, and lead a litigation team.
• Ability to work effectively with technical experts.
• Excellent research, analytic, writing, and communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to build and maintain coalitions and partnerships, understand and influence stakeholders, listen to and learn from others, and motivate and inspire coworkers.
• Experience mentoring and training others.
• A network of relevant professional relationships that can be drawn on to help the enforcement program achieve its goals.
• Commitment to public interest work and a passion for the role of Earthjustice and its mission.
• Excellent emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and cultural humility.
• Awareness and sensitivity to the needs and concerns of individuals from diverse cultures, backgrounds, and orientations.
• Willingness to travel as needed for case work, court appearances, and presentations.
• Creativity, initiative, good judgment, and a strong work ethic.
• A positive attitude, a sense of humor, and a willingness to have fun.

Responsibilities

• Case development and litigation (60%).
• Lead complex cases and conduct the full range of litigation tasks, including discovery, motions, oral argument, and trial.
• Collaborate in team problem-solving, litigation strategy, project management, and trial work.
• Cultivate new allies and maintain effective relationships with external partners.
• Building enforcement infrastructure (35%).
• Participate in strategic planning, prioritization, and establishment of metrics to advance enforcement efforts.
• Develop cross-cutting resources to support enforcement litigation.
• Train Earthjustice staff in enforcement strategies and litigation skills.
• Work with attorneys, paralegals, and litigation assistants to mentor in enforcement cases.
• External engagement and communications (5%).
• Develop and execute media and legislative strategies; engage journalists and thought leaders to advance enforcement goals.

Skills

Litigation

Legal research

Communication

Collaboration

Education

Juris Doctorate (JD)

Tools

ediscovery

Job description

Earthjustice, the nation’s leading environmental law organization, seeks a collaborative Senior Attorney to join its enforcement group. The role focuses on developing and litigating federal enforcement cases across diverse venues to protect land, air, and water for affected communities.

The Senior Attorney reports to the Director of Enforcement, shaping strategic plans, building enforcement infrastructure, and mentoring in enforcement litigation across Earthjustice’s offices.