Legal Externship, Fall 2021

Earthjustice is the premier nonprofit environmental law organization. We take on the biggest, most precedent-setting cases across the country. We wield the power of law and the strength of partnership to protect people’s health; to preserve magnificent places and wildlife; to advance clean energy; and to combat climate change. We partner with thousands of groups, supporters and citizens to engage the critical environmental issues of our time, and bring about positive change. We are guided by a passionate, ambitious vision for the future for people and our planet: until justice stands for all, we will never rest. 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 the best and brightest who share a passion for justice and a healthy environment. Our headquarters are in San Francisco with fourteen offices across the U.S.The Northern Rockies region is home to some of the last big wild spaces remaining in the lower 48 states. These are places where the howl of the wolf, the bugling of elk, and the great track of the grizzly bear offer vibrant proof that healthy, intact ecosystems remain part of our natural heritage. Earthjustice’s Northern Rockies Office works hard to defend these priceless natural resources. The office also works to block development of the region’s extensive fossil fuel deposits, which harm human health and the Earth’s climate, and to advance the region’s significant opportunities for a clean energy economy.
We are now accepting applications for part-time legal externs for the Fall 2021 academic semester. Applicants should indicate on their cover letter if they need a decision by a certain date, e.g., based on their academic calendar. The successful candidate can work from the Bozeman, MT office or remotely. Externs are expected to work on a variety of litigation projects for 8 to 10 hours per week. Applicants must be eligible to receive academic credit for the externship. We are seeking current law students who share a passion for justice and a healthy environment.
Responsibilities:
Legal externs work under the direct supervision of attorneys in the development and prosecution of litigation and other advocacy. Externs will participate in a wide range of tasks, including:

• Assisting in case investigation and legal research.
• Preparing memoranda, briefs and other legal documents for administrative and judicial proceedings.

Qualifications:

• Currently enrolled in law school.
• Demonstrated commitment to environmental protection or environmental justice.
• Excellent research, analytic and writing skills.
• Strong work ethic.
• Initiative, creative thinking and the ability to work collegially with others.
• Significant knowledge of environmental and administrative law is a plus.
• Commitment of 8-10 hours per week.
• Eligibility to receive academic credit from your law school.

Please note that this position does not offer compensation or benefits. We do offer academic credit.
To Apply:

Interested candidates should submit the following materials. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

• Resume
• Cover letter – In one page, address why you want to work for Earthjustice and any information about yourself that is not apparent or fully explained in the resume. Please note if you are eligible to receive academic credit.
• Recent writing sample, preferably a legal brief or memorandum of no more than 10 pages that primarily reflects your work. Please include a cover page that describes the extent to which the document was edited.
• Unofficial law school transcript.
• List of references, including at least one law professor or legal employer.

Applications are accepted and offers are made on a rolling basis, so please submit as soon as possible.
Please reach out to jobs@earthjustice.org 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, 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 provided with 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 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.
For positions located within the City of Los Angeles: We will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring.

Job Type: Part-time