Senior Attorney, Midwest Regional Office

Earthjustice seeks a Senior Attorney to join our Midwest Regional Office.  This attorney will play a key role in our office’s efforts to safeguard health and the environment, and will lead the team’s litigation and advocacy to compel a shift away from fossil fuels and toward equitable electrification of the transportation sector in Midwest states.   

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 defend magnificent places and irreplaceable ecosystems; to transition our economy to 100% clean energy; and to combat climate change. We partner with thousands of groups, tribes, individuals, and communities to address 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 Midwest Regional Office works across all Earthjustice’s program areas—climate, healthy communities, and lands and wildlife. Our work includes cases opposing pipelines and mining that will have devastating impacts on the environment and tribal interests; and fighting for clean air, soil, and water. We are committed to working with communities across the Midwest with special attention to Detroit and Flint, Chicagoland including Northwest Indiana, and St. Louis.   

Earthjustice has a longstanding track record of success with our litigation and advocacy to attack dangerous air emissions and climate pollution, and to advance a transition from fossil fuels to clean energy.  In recent years, we have achieved major successes in promoting a shift toward a zero-emissions future in California in which fossil fuels will be replaced by clean energy.  We see an unparalleled opportunity to do the same in the Midwest.  

The attorney selected for this position will have the opportunity to contribute to the strategic growth of our electrification of transportation docket in the Midwest and will coordinate with our Right to Zero team. In addition, the attorney will develop and pursue litigation and advocacy seeking to protect communities—especially frontline communities.   

Our practice increasingly emphasizes a mentorship culture for staff at all levels, and we expect that every senior attorney will help nurture the development of early career attorneys and other staff.  Senior attorneys supervise associate attorneys, fellows, and litigation assistants in connection with their work on projects.   

Responsibilities 

• Conduct and supervise advocacy before agencies, state and local governments, and courts as warranted. 
• Manage new and existing litigation matters from start to finish, including working with technical experts as appropriate. 
• Develop, coordinate, and execute non-litigation advocacy strategies in collaboration with attorneys, policy staff and communications staff as appropriate. 
• Conduct factual investigations and develop legal theories for possible advocacy or litigation advancing the goals of our clients. 
• Supervise the work of Associate Attorneys, Litigation Assistants, and Law Clerks. 
• Develop and manage relationships with co-counsel and with a diverse group of clients and coalition partners. 
• Work effectively with other departments within Earthjustice, including Policy and Legislation, Communications, Development, and Operations. 
• Serve as spokesperson for Earthjustice, clients, and partners. 
• Help develop and execute effective media strategies with help of communications professionals. 
• Join other staff in long-term planning, strategy development, goal-setting, and work plan management that advances a collective vision for future Midwest Regional Office work. 
• Participate as an active member of a learning and mentorship culture, and engage with colleagues in manner that is respectful, professional, and supportive. 
• Participate actively in organizational and office-specific 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. 

Qualifications 

• Juris Doctorate (JD) degree from an ABA accredited law school. 
• A minimum of six years of relevant litigation and advocacy experience, including significant lead counsel experience. 
• Admitted or eligible to waive in for admission to the Illinois Bar. 
• Knowledge of, and experience in, environmental and administrative law. 
• Experience with advocacy campaigns directed at boards, agencies or commissions is a plus. 
• Strong skills in communicating litigation and advocacy goals and messages to the media. 
• Excellent legal research, writing, and oral advocacy skills. 
• Initiative, good judgment, a collegial work style, and a strong work ethic. 
• Proficient at working with technical issues and experts. 
• Ability to develop and maintain partnerships with community-based or other grassroots groups interested in litigation and other advocacy in the attorney’s area of focus. 
• Ability and willingness to travel as needed for case work, court appearances, presentations, staff meetings, and conferences. 
• Ability to effectively supervise and mentor early career staff in connection with litigation and advocacy projects. Formal management experience is a plus. 
• Demonstrated awareness of and sensitivity to the needs and concerns of individuals from diverse cultures, backgrounds, and orientations. 

Salary depends on experience and location. 

Salary range in Chicago, IL for 6 to 20+ years of experience:  $158,700 – $192,500 

Salary range in remote Midwest locations for 6 to 20+ years of experience:  $142,000 – $172,200  

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. 
 
For litigators and advocates committed to saving the planet and the people who depend on it, Senior Attorney at Earthjustice is the best job on the planet.  Learn more about our Senior Attorney careers and work online here: https://earthjustice.org/about/jobs/senior-attorney.