Staff Attorney, Environmental Law Clinic

UCI group; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 65,700 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

UC Irvine Law seeks a Staff Attorney for the Environmental Law Clinic to represent clients in environmental matters. You will perform legal research, draft pleadings, and handle discovery, trials, and appeals under faculty supervision.

Responsibilities include providing legal advice, public speaking, and clinic administration, while mentoring law students and collaborating with clinic staff. A passion for public interest law and clinical teaching is valued.

Qualifications

• At least one year of legal experience, with some environmental and/or natural resources law.
• Excellent communication, writing, and editing skills, with attention to detail.
• Ability to manage diverse activities and meet deadlines with minimal supervision.
• Ability to work collaboratively with clients, staff, and law students.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to communicate across diverse contexts.
• Knowledge of legal research software and document sharing tools.
• Demonstrated humility in working with colleagues and clients from diverse backgrounds.
• JD or other law degree from a ABA-approved school; Bar in good standing in CA.
• Eligible to register as a legal aid attorney under California Rule 9.45 if barred in another state.
• 1-3 years of legal experience.

Responsibilities

• The Staff Attorney will handle all aspects of client representation: legal research, memoranda, pleadings, briefs, and court filings.
• Conduct informal and formal discovery, participate in trials and appeals, and appear on behalf of Clinic clients.
• Provide clients with legal advice, public speaking, and advocacy, plus administrative clinic support such as intake and events.
• Collaborate with Clinic students and supervise them while handling matters.
• View this as training for public interest environmental law practice and potential clinical teaching.

Skills

Legal research

Writing

Time management

Collaboration

Interpersonal skills

Diversity & inclusion

Humility

Education

J.D. or law degree

Bar admission California

Tools

Legal research databases

Job description

Overview

Founded in 1965, UC Irvine is a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities and is ranked among the nation’s top 10 public universities by U.S. News & World Report. The campus has produced five Nobel laureates and is known for its academic achievement, premier research, innovation and anteater mascot. Led by Chancellor Howard Gillman, UC Irvine has more than 36,000 students and offers 224 degree programs. It’s located in one of the world’s safest and most economically vibrant communities and is Orange County’s second-largest employer, contributing $7 billion annually to the local economy and $8 billion statewide.

UC Irvine Law is the newest public law school in California and is highly regarded for its faculty and expert practical training.

UC Irvine Law offers a distinct, innovative approach to legal education that features experiential learning and interdisciplinary studies. Committed to values of public service, excellence in scholarship and teaching, and fostering a diverse, inclusive community, UC Irvine Law is home to distinguished faculty and passionate, talented, and socially conscious students.

From its founding, the law school has had a graduation requirement that each student participate in at least one semester of clinical education. We currently offer ten clinical courses that fulfill the requirement: Appellate Litigation, Community & Economic Development, Community Violence Intervention, Criminal Justice, Defending Democracy, Domestic Violence, Environmental Law, Immigrant & Racial Justice Solidarity, Intellectual Property, Arts, & Technology, International Justice, and Workers and Tenants Law and Organizing. We also offer several additional elective clinics, alternative field placements, and one of the nation's most extensive law school pro bono programs.

Responsibilities

The Staff Attorney will report to and work closely with the Director of the Environmental Law Clinic ('Clinic') and/or other Clinic faculty. Under the direction of the Director of the Clinic or other Clinic faculty, the Staff Attorney will work on all aspects of client representation, including: legal research; drafting memoranda, pleadings, briefs, and other court filings; conducting informal and formal discovery; participating in trials and appeals, and appearing on behalf of Clinic clients. In addition to litigation‑related tasks, the Staff Attorney’s nonlitigation responsibilities may include providing clients with legal advice, public speaking and other forms of oral and written advocacy, media appearances, and administrative clinic support such as case intake, planning and managing events, and meeting with stakeholders.

In addition to taking responsibility for their own case load and working independently on Clinic matters (including when students are between semesters, on break, or unavailable), the Staff Attorney will work collaboratively and closely with Clinic students on Clinic matters. That can include working in parallel with students, and providing guidance, suggestions, and direction as Clinic students develop their skills while representing clients.

This is an ideal position for those seeking to gain experience and training before pursuing a career in a public interest environmental law practice and, while not a fellowship or instructor position, the position may also provide useful training and experience for those interested in pursuing a career in clinical teaching.

The expected pay range for this recruitment is $65,700- $100,000 (Annual).This position is being recruited at a variable 50% to 100% FTE.

Qualifications

Required:

• At least one year of legal experience, with at least some experience with California or federal environmental and/or natural resources law.
• Excellent communication, writing, and editing skills, with demonstrated ability to be detail oriented
• Excellent time management skills, and the ability to manage diverse activities and meet critical deadlines with minimal supervision.
• Ability to work in a highly-collaborative manner with a diverse client group, staff, and law students.
• Strong interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with individuals and groups from a variety of social contexts.
• Solid knowledge of legal research computer applications, document sharing technology and research tools.
• Humility in working with colleagues and clients, and individuals of all identities, experiences, and perspectives.
• JD or other law degree from a State Bar-accredited or American Bar Association approved law school.
• Member in good standing of the State Bar of California and maintain that standing through continuing legal education credits required by the State Bar
• Alternatively a member of the Bar of another State who meets the requirements of, and successfully registers as, a legal aid attorney under California Rule of Court 9.45.
• 1-3 years Legal Experience

Preferred:

• Experience working as a law clerk for a federal or state judge.
• Experience working successfully in a busy and dynamic legal office setting.
• Experience working successfully under varying degrees of supervision, and independently on a demanding case/matter load.
• Experience accepting and integrating constructive feedback from supervisors and colleagues.
• Career intention to practice in public interest, public sector, and/or clinical setting.

Total Rewards

In addition to the salary range listed below, we offer a wealth of benefits to make working at UCI even more rewarding. These benefits may include medical insurance, sick and vacation time, retirement savings plans, and access to a number of discounts and perks.

The expected pay range for this recruitment is $65,700- $100,000 (Annual).Conditions of Employment:

The University of California, Irvine (UCI) seeks to provide a safe and healthy environment for the entire UCI community. As part of this commitment, all applicants who accept an offer of employment must comply with the following conditions of employment:

• Background Check and Live Scan
• Employment Misconduct*
• Legal Right to work in the United States
• Vaccination Policies
• Smoking and Tobacco Policy
• Drug Free Environment

*Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

The following additional conditions may apply, some of which are dependent upon business unit or job specific requirements.

• California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act
• E-Verify
• Pre-Placement Health Evaluation

Closing Statement:

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories covered by the UC Anti-Discrimination Policy. We are committed to attracting and retaining a diverse workforce along with honoring unique experiences, perspectives, and identities. Together, our community strives to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable, and welcoming. UCI provides reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities upon request. For more information, please contact Human Resources at [phone] or [e-mail].