Animal Law Fellow

Friends of Animals is pleased to announce the opening of the hiring process for an Animal Law Fellow position in its Wildlife Law Program (WLP), located in Centennial, Colorado.

Friends of Animals is a non-profit, international animal advocacy organization, incorporated in the state of New York since 1957. Friends of Animals works to cultivate a respectful view of nonhuman animals, free-living, and domestic. Our goal is to free animals from cruelty and institutionalized exploitation around the world.

Established in 2013, the WLP fills a niche between animal and environmental advocacy. The WLP focuses on the defense of wildlife and their habitats throughout the world. The program utilizes a variety of laws to promote the rights of wildlife, including the Endangered Species Act, the National Environmental Policy Act, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, federal and state consumer protection/antifraud laws, and the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act. Most of our work involves administrative law actions against federal agencies.

Position Summary:

Friends of Animals’ WLP is looking to hire a recent law graduate or attorney to join our team as the fifth attorney in our office. The role will involve working on projects aimed at creating system-wide change to end and prevent human manipulation, exploitation, and abuse of wild animals. Our efforts also focus on dispelling myths that conservation depends on killing, exploiting, or objectifying other living beings. Currently, our work includes cases to protect wild horses on public lands, to safeguard threatened and endangered species from habitat destruction and human exploitation, and to ensure wild animals remain wild.

The Animal Law Fellow will have the opportunity to get hands-on experience by working closely with WLP attorneys to litigate matters in federal (mostly) and state court, as well as engaging in non-litigation advocacy projects. Typically, the Animal Law Fellow also undertakes projects that are closely aligned with their interests. The Fellow reports to the Director of the Wildlife Law Program.

This is a full-time position with a hybrid work schedule where you will be required to be in the office in Centennial, Colorado three days per week. The Fellow will be hired for a two-year term, with the possibility (but not the guarantee) of a permanent position at the end of the two years.

Responsibilities:

• Prepare pleadings, motions and briefs for all assigned cases and projects.
• Make court appearances, where appropriate.
• Develop legal theories and strategies.
• Draft amicus curiae briefs on behalf of Friends of Animals.
• Assist with the review of proposed government actions that impact wildlife, and prepare administrative comments when necessary.
• Coordinate and collaborate with Friends of Animals’ direct advocacy staff.
• Prepare and deliver presentations for professional conferences, fundraising events, etc. when needed.

Qualifications:

• Must have a Juris Doctor degree at start date.
• Understand and be committed to the mission of Friends of Animals.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Ability to meet deadlines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and can communicate effectively with co-workers, supporters, and stakeholders.

Compensation:

The Fellow will be compensated at an annual salary of $55,000 to $60,000, with the potential for bonuses. The position includes health insurance, with all premiums, co-pays, deductibles, and prescriptions paid for by the employer. Friends of Animals offers two weeks of paid vacation, two personal days, and five sick days each year (those reset each year on your hire date). As a 501(c)(3) organization, Friends of Animals qualifies as an employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

One of the best benefits of working with our team is the experience of collaborating with some of the most compassionate and driven individuals. Friends of Animals is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to prioritizing a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace where all employees are respected and valued. We believe that diversity, equity, and inclusion are essential components in our mission to free animals from cruelty and institutionalized exploitation.