Associate Attorney, Northern Rockies Regional Office

Earthjustice seeks an Associate Attorney to join our Bozeman office. In the Northern Rockies, we are engaged in litigation focused on protecting and preserving the iconic wildlife species and wild lands of this incomparable region. The Northern Rockies office has played a leading and long-standing role as the last line of defense for the ecosystems encompassing Yellowstone and Glacier national parks, as well as the grizzly bears, wolves, bison and other species that depend upon the integrity of these spectacular areas.

We are equally engaged in the battle to combat global warming by challenging coal mining and coal-fired power plants, ensuring fair opportunities for development of renewable energy sources, and responding to a rapid natural gas development boom that is spreading and raising new environmental protection and human health issues across the Northern Rockies region.

In recent years, the work of the Northern Rockies office has increasingly touched on Native American interests and issues of Indian law, including work to restore wild bison to tribal lands; to oppose oil and gas exploration on public national forest lands of extreme cultural and spiritual importance to the Blackfeet people; and to defend the integrity of culturally and spiritually lands and waters against threats posed by hardrock mining.

We regularly litigate federal and state court cases and administrative proceedings in an effort to defeat the major threats to the region’s ecological integrity. For more information about our office’s work, visit http://earthjustice.org/about/offices/northern-rockies.

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 to engage on the critical environmental issues of our time and bring about positive change. 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 people who share a passion for justice and a healthy environment. Our headquarters are in San Francisco with offices in Anchorage, Bozeman, Chicago, Denver, Honolulu, Houston, Juneau, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, Seattle, Tallahassee and Washington, D.C. 

The Associate Attorney position is a three-year position with the opportunity for extension. Many Associates have gone on to other positions within Earthjustice and with other public interest organizations. The Associate Attorney program is designed to help attorneys who are in the early stages of their careers to develop into thoughtful, professional, and effective advocates skilled in the various phases of public interest litigation. As Associate Attorneys gain experience, they gradually take on more independent responsibility for their cases, but Associates work throughout their tenure under the supervision of a Senior Attorney or the Managing Attorney. Many Associates have gone on to other positions within Earthjustice and with other public interest organizations.

This hybrid position is based in our Bozeman, Montana office. This is not a remote position. The successful candidate will be required to come into the office as-needed, though that is typically 1 day a week.

Responsibilities:

Associate attorneys perform a range of work, in partnership with senior attorneys and professional staff, to investigate, develop, and prosecute administrative appeals and litigation including: factual investigation, legal research, case development, record review, client engagement and development, expert evidence and witness development, motions practice and brief writing, oral advocacy, and appellate advocacy.

Specific responsibilities include:

• Participate in the full range of tasks involved in complex litigation, including factual investigation, legal research and analysis, discovery, briefing, and oral advocacy.
• Conducting legal research and preparing memoranda on issues relating to ongoing or potential litigation projects.
• Drafting motions, briefs, and other legal and factual documents in support of litigation.
• Reviewing and analyzing administrative records and technical documents.
• Preparing comments on proposed agency actions and environmental impact statements.
• Participating in proceedings before federal and state courts and agencies.
• Presenting oral argument and examining witnesses before state or federal courts and administrative bodies and making advocacy presentations to agency officials.
• Participate in cultivating new clients, allies, and coalition partners.
• Integrate communications and legislative advocacy into litigation and other legal strategies.
• Work effectively with other departments within Earthjustice, including our communications, development, and policy and legislation departments.
• Hiring and supervising law students who work at Earthjustice as interns or clerks.
• Interacting with clients and working with experts to develop a clear understanding of the facts involved in each case and to ultimately support our litigation goals.
• Engaging with a variety of news and social media regarding our work, including press.

Qualifications:

• Law school graduates who are admitted, or willing to apply for admission, to the state bar where they are located.
• 1-5 years of litigation or judicial clerkship experience. Litigation experience on issues of concern to tribes and Indigenous communities is a plus.
• Excellent research, writing, analytic, and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and to prioritize tasks and deadlines.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to work well collegially both inside and outside the organization.
• Strong and demonstrated initiative, good judgment, creativity, and work ethic.
• Ability and willingness to travel as needed, including for case work, court appearances, and meetings with clients and partners.
• Commitment to serving the public interest and a passion for the role of Earthjustice and its mission.
• Demonstrated awareness and sensitivity to the needs and concerns of individuals from diverse cultures, backgrounds, and orientations.
• Commitment to help create a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work culture that encourages and celebrates differences.

We offer a mission- and employee-focused work environment and a competitive compensation package, including excellent benefits. Earthjustice is an equal opportunity employer and highly values diversity. As a 501(c)(3) organization, Earthjustice is a qualifying employer for purposes of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program.

Compensation is based on experience and location.

Salary Range for Bozeman, MT: $95,200 - $112,100

To Apply:

Interested applicants should submit via Jobvite:

• Resume.
• Cover letter that addresses (1) why you are drawn to this position and whether there are particular legal, environmental, or justice issues that inspire you; and (2) aspects of your background that demonstrate competence and experience working with underrepresented and/or marginalized communities.
• Writing sample, preferably a legal brief or memorandum you have written.
• Unofficial Law school transcript.

For this position, we are looking to hire a candidate that is available to start in April, June or September 2025. Preference will be given to candidates who apply by February 23, 2025. After that, applications may be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Earthjustice brings our associate attorneys on board on a quarterly schedule, during the months of January, April, June and September.

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 given 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.

PI261580356