Associate Attorney, Tribal Partnerships Program

Earthjustice seeks an Associate Attorney to join our Tribal Partnerships team. This position will focus on litigation and advocacy on behalf of our tribal clients and partners. Earthjustice is proud of our longstanding and productive relationships with tribes and Indigenous communities and is committed to expanding our tribal and Indigenous representation.

The Tribal Partnerships Program works across Earthjustice’s regional offices and programs to develop cross-cutting strategies on behalf of our tribal and Indigenous partners and to provide added capacity and expertise to work on matters of concern to tribes and Indigenous communities. Tribal Partnerships attorneys litigate cases, collaborate and consult with program and regional office attorneys, conduct outreach with tribes and Indigenous communities, and work with Earthjustice’s other teams as needed.

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.

The Associate Attorney position is a three-year position with the opportunity for a three-year 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.

The position is based preferably in our Seattle, WA, Denver, CO or Washington, D.C. offices, although applicants seeking to work in other locations where Earthjustice has an office will also be considered. This is not a remote work position, requiring hybrid in-person attendance in office. This role can begin between April and September 2025.

Responsibilities

Associate attorneys perform a range of litigation and advocacy-related tasks that can include:

• Work with the Tribal Partnerships team to develop and implement strategies for expanding Earthjustice’s ability and capacity to partner with and represent tribes and tribal communities.
• Participate in the full range of tasks involved in complex litigation, including factual investigation, legal research and analysis, discovery, briefing, and oral advocacy.
• Participate in cultivating new clients, allies, and coalition partners.
• Help to develop and execute effective media strategies.
• 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.
• Participate in long-term planning, strategy development, goal setting, and work plan management that advances a collective vision for Tribal Partnerships.
• Participate as an active member of a learning and mentorship culture and engage with colleagues in a manner that is respectful, professional, and supportive.
• Participate actively in efforts to create a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace, and personally engage with colleagues, clients, and partners in a manner that is consistent with those efforts.
• Develop and participate in training and professional development opportunities appropriate to the role and the organization.

Qualifications

• Law school graduates who are admitted, or willing to apply for admission, to the state bar where they are located.
• Up to 5 years of litigation experience, either in full-time employment or in summer jobs or internships while in school. Litigation experience on issues of concern to tribes and Indigenous communities is a plus.
• Experience representing or working in partnership with tribes and/or tribal communities.
• 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 Ranges:

Seattle, Washington and Washington, DC: $101,800 - $125,300 annually

Denver, CO: $96,500 - $118,700 annually

To Apply

Interested applicants should submit the following 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 tribal and Indigenous communities.
• Writing sample, preferably a legal brief or memorandum you have written.
• Unofficial Law school transcript.

We welcome applications from 2025 JD Candidates.

For this position, we seek a candidate available to start between April and September 2025 with flexibility. 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.

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