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Volunteer Associate Attorney

Office: Northeast

Location: New York, NY

Department: Legal

Job Type: Intern, Clerk, and Volunteer

Earthjustice's Northeast regional office (in New York City) encourages law firm associates who have been asked to defer commencement of their employment, or other associates who have been offered paid leave, to consider volunteering with us.  We are looking for individuals with no more than three years of experience, who wish to make a positive contribution to public health and the environment. 

Earthjustice is a non-profit public interest law firm dedicated to protecting the magnificent places, natural resources, and wildlife of this earth and to defending the right of all people to a healthy environment. We bring about far-reaching change by enforcing and strengthening environmental laws on behalf of hundreds of organizations and communities.  The organization operates out of nine regional offices.  The Northeast regional office, which opened officially in January 2008, focuses principally on issues of global warming and environmental health in Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. 

Responsibilities: The volunteer lawyer will function much as associate attorneys do within Earthjustice's structure.  The successful applicant will conduct legal research and prepare memoranda on issues relating to ongoing or potential litigation projects, work to develop potential cases, interact with clients, draft motions, briefs and other pleadings, argue motions, assist with discovery, work with experts, and prepare comments on proposed agency actions and environmental impact statements.  The lawyer will assist Earthjustice's more experienced staff attorneys on major cases and may take on primary responsibility for some cases.

Qualifications:  Applicants must be a law school graduates, and preference will be given to those who have been admitted to the New York State bar. Applicants must have excellent research, analysis, and writing skills; initiative, commitment, attention to detail, and an ability to meet deadlines are essential. Although we look for candidates with a demonstrated commitment to the environment and the public interest, we will consider any promising candidate.  Relevant environmental, other scientific, or regulatory background is a plus.

Application Procedure:  Offers are made on a rolling basis, so applications should be submitted as soon as possible.  Please send a cover letter, resume, legal writing sample, and names and contact information of three references by e-mail to: eajusny@earthjustice.org.  Subject line should read: Volunteer Associate Attorney Application.

Earthjustice is an equal opportunity employer, which welcomes qualified applicants of all races, ethnicities, physical and mental abilities, genders, and sexual orientations.