Staff Attorney

Clean Wisconsin; Madison (WI); Hybrid; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and dental insurance

403(b) retirement plan with 6% match

Life and disability insurance

Commuter benefits

Flexible hybrid work environment

Paid time off and holidays

Job summary

Clean Wisconsin seeks one or more motivated attorneys to join our Legal Department and advance Wisconsin’s environmental protections. The role involves strategic litigation, advocacy, and collaboration with scientists, policy experts, and communications professionals in a flexible hybrid Madison office.

Responsibilities include developing cases, representing the organization in court, and supporting campaigns on energy, water, and air issues. Applicants must hold a J.D.

Qualifications

• Experience in civil and administrative litigation and discovery
• Knowledge of environmental law and procedure
• Strong writing, research, and oral advocacy abilities
• Experience with policy development and analysis
• Ability to manage priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Commitment to environmental protection and public service

Responsibilities

• Develop cases and legal strategies with the Legal Department and leadership
• Represent Clean Wisconsin in state and federal court
• Conduct contested cases before the PSC and other tribunals
• Monitor rulemaking and permitting; prepare comments and filings
• Analyze legislative proposals and advise policy staff
• Recruit, interview, hire, and supervise law students
• Coordinate with local, state, and national advocacy groups

Skills

Litigation skills

Administrative law

Air/energy/water issues

Legal writing/public speaking

Policy development

Organization/priorities

Independent & collaborative work

Office software proficiency

Environmental protection commitment

Interpersonal skills

Highly organized

Discretion and judgment

Accuracy

Flexibility and creativity

Diversity, equity, inclusion

Education

J.D. from accredited law school

Wisconsin bar licensure or eligibility

Job description

Clean Wisconsin seeks one or more motivated attorneys to join our Legal Department and help protect Wisconsin’s natural resources, advance clean energy, and build a healthier, more equitable future in Wisconsin.

Our attorneys use strategic litigation and legal advocacy to ensure that environmental laws are properly interpreted, effectively enforced, and strengthened. At a consequential time for environmental protection in Wisconsin, our new Staff Attorneys will join experienced litigators and work alongside scientists, policy experts, and communications professionals to expand the impact of our advocacy.

Depending on organizational needs and each attorney’s experience, the work will include some combination of:

• Supporting clean energy, opposing fossil fuel development, and advocating for sound utility regulation at the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin and in other forums;
• Protecting water quality and quantity and addressing air pollution through permitting, regulatory proceedings, and litigation;
• Providing legal advocacy and expertise to support organization-wide campaigns on data centers and environmental health.

These positions report directly to the Director of Legal Advocacy and are based in our Madison office, with a flexible hybrid work arrangement. The work includes periodic travel, occasional evening meetings, and court or administrative appearances.

Clean Wisconsin is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion in our work and in our hiring practices. We value a team with different perspectives, educational backgrounds, and life experiences, and we prioritize diversity within our team. If you have any doubt about whether you might be qualified for this position and you think you have something special to contribute, we encourage you to apply. Please also see our statement on diversity, equity and inclusion at: https://www.cleanwisconsin.org/about-us/diversity/.

Responsibilities

• Develop cases and legal strategies that advance Clean Wisconsin’s mission and priorities, in collaboration with the Legal Department, policy staff, and organizational leadership
• Represent Clean Wisconsin in state and federal court
• Conduct contested cases before the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin and other administrative tribunals
• Monitor agency rulemaking, permitting, and other proceedings; identify opportunities for action; and prepare comments, filings, and other legal responses
• Analyze legislative proposals and advise policy staff on issues within the attorney’s areas of responsibility
• Help recruit, interview, hire, and supervise law students through Clean Wisconsin’s semester and summer legal clerkship program
• Coordinate and collaborate with local, state, and national advocacy organizations

Required Skills and Experience

• Litigation skills, including civil and administrative procedure, discovery, trial and hearing preparation, brief writing, oral advocacy, and settlement negotiations
• Knowledge of and experience with administrative law and procedure
• Subject matter expertise in air, energy, or water issues, with familiarity with relevant state and federal environmental laws
• Strong writing, analytical, research, and public speaking skills
• Experience with policy development and analysis
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities while maintaining attention to long-term goals
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment
• Proficiency with standard office software and technology
• Commitment to environmental protection
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Highly organized
• Discretion and sound judgment
• Commitment to accuracy
• Flexibility and creativity
• Sense of humorCommitment to creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace

Education and Licensure

Applicants must hold a J.D. from an accredited law school and be licensed to practice law in Wisconsin, or be able and willing to obtain Wisconsin licensure.

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range is $80,000–$110,000, commensurate with skills and experience.

• health and dental insurance
• a 403(b) retirement plan with a 6% employer match
• life and disability insurance
• commuter benefits
• a flexible hybrid work environment
• paid time off and holidays

Join the Fight for a Cleaner Wisconsin

Be part of a team that’s making a real impact—for today and the generations to come.