The Associate Attorney position is a three-year position with the potential 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 advocacy. As Associate Attorneys gain experience, they gradually take on more independent responsibility for their cases and projects, but Associates work throughout their tenure under the supervision of a Senior Attorney or the Managing Attorney.
Staff in the Oceans Program are currently in a hybrid work model, with some working several days a week in the office, and some staff working remotely.
Responsibilities
Associate attorneys perform a range of litigation and advocacy-related tasks that can include:
- Working closely with Earthjustice attorneys, professional staff, and international partners to build cases and support policies that serve a diverse set of clients.
- Participating in relationship building with international partner organizations, clients, and experts from a wide range of cultural, linguistic, and legal backgrounds.
- Participating in the full range of tasks involved in administrative advocacy, complex litigation, and advocating for legislation, including factual investigation, legal research, memo writing, briefing, and oral advocacy.
- Interacting with clients and partners, and work with experts to develop a clear understanding of the facts involved in each matter and, ultimately, to support our advocacy goals.
- Participating in development of parallel strategies to support both domestic and international advocacy.
- Representing Earthjustice on calls and at meetings with clients, partners, co-counsel, and experts.
- Developing skills required to serve as spokesperson with print and other media.
- Assisting with hiring and supervision of student law clerks.