Staff Attorney - Wildlife Law Program

Friends of Animals; Darien (CT); Hybrid; USD 75,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid vacation

Coverage of bar dues

Job summary

Friends of Animals is seeking an experienced litigation attorney for its Wildlife Law Program to work on protecting wildlife and their habitats. The position involves leading litigation, preparing legal documents, and mentoring junior staff. This role offers a chance to make systemic changes and requires a strong commitment to the organization's mission.

The annual salary ranges from $75,000 to $100,000, plus a comprehensive benefits package including health insurance and paid vacation.

Qualifications

• Five or more years of litigation experience preferred.
• Excellent writing and oral advocacy skills.
• Strong attention to detail and time management skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead litigation in federal district and appellate courts.
• Prepare pleadings, motions, responses, and briefs.
• Investigate and research factual bases for potential cases.

Skills

Litigation experience

Legal research

Communication skills

Mentoring and supervising others

Education

Admitted to practice law in at least one state

Job description

Friends of Animals is pleased to announce the opening of the hiring process for an experienced litigation attorney for its Wildlife Law Program (WLP), located in Greenwood Village, Colorado. The attorney has the option to work remotely two days a week.

Position Summary

Friends of Animals WLP seeks to hire an experienced litigator to join the WLP team, which currently consists of four practicing attorneys, a legal fellow, and a Philanthropy and Communications Manager. The WLP works to protect wildlife and their habitats.

We seek projects that have the potential for creating system‑wide change to end and prevent human manipulation, exploitation, and abuse of wild animals. We also work to dispel myths that conservation depends on killing, exploiting, or objectifying other living beings. Our current work includes cases to protect wild horses on public lands, to protect threatened and endangered species from habitat destruction and human exploitation, and to keep wild animals wild.

Responsibilities

• Lead litigation in federal district and appellate courts, and potentially state courts.
• Prepare pleadings, motions, responses, and briefs.
• Investigate and research factual bases for potential cases.
• Draft comments in federal rulemaking proceedings.
• Provide mentoring and supervision for junior attorneys and interns.
• Coordinate and collaborate with Friends of Animals’ direct advocacy staff.
• Prepare and deliver presentations for professional conferences, fundraising events, etc. when needed.

Qualifications

• Five or more years of litigation experience preferred.
• Understand and be committed to the mission of Friends of Animals.
• Excellent writing, communication, research and oral advocacy skills.
• Strong work ethic, attention to detail and time management skills, demonstrated ability to meet deadlines.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and can communicate effectively with co‑workers, supporters, etc.
• Experience mentoring and supervising others preferred.
• Experience with administrative law preferred.
• Admitted to practice law in at least one state and willingness to sit for the Colorado bar exam (if not already admitted in the state).

Compensation and Benefits

Friends of Animals offers a competitive salary and benefits package. The Staff Attorney will be compensated commensurate with their experience and with the other members of our team, with an annual salary of $75,000-$100,000, depending on experience. Benefits include paid vacation and health insurance where the organization will pay the attorney’s full premiums, deductibles, and prescription costs. Friends of Animals will pay bar dues and other professional expenses.

Friends of Animals is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity.