Staff Attorney or Senior Staff Attorney

Trustees for Alaska seeks a full-time Staff Attorney or Senior Staff Attorney in Anchorage, Alaska to join our team working to protect a wild and vibrant Alaska where fish, wildlife, and people thrive. We will consider candidates for either position. The ideal staff attorney candidate has at least 3 years of legal experience, with at least 2 years in environmental law; the ideal senior staff attorney candidate has at least 7 years of legal experience, with at least 5 years in environmental law. All candidates should have a proven ability to foster coordination and cooperation among diverse groups to achieve conservation goals.

About Trustees for Alaska

Trustees for Alaska is the only Alaska-based nonprofit, public interest, environmental law firm founded and focused in Alaska, providing free legal counsel to protect and defend Alaska’s lands, waters, wildlife, and communities. Trustees has been a legal force of environmental advocacy in Alaska since 1974. We take on the most pressing conservation issues in Alaska for a variety of clients who bravely fight for their rights and for the health and cultures of Alaska for future generations. We work on issues ranging from oil and gas development and large mining projects to public land use, air and water pollution, and the protection of wildlife. We help shape Alaska’s environmental future. For more information, see Trustees website.

Job Responsibilities

Staff attorneys report to the Legal Director and are responsible for the following:

• Managing a diverse case load that may include coalition-based administrative, judicial, and legislative work.
• Working with program staff, clients, and partners to develop and implement legal, political, outreach, communications, and other strategies.
• Representing Trustees for Alaska and clients in public forums and with the press.
• Assisting with administrative, communications, and fundraising as needed.

In addition, Senior Staff Attorneys:

• Provide mentorship and supervision to staff attorneys, legal fellows, interns, externs, and legal assistants.
• Use their institutional knowledge and legal experience to aid staff attorneys in case management and with coalitions and campaigns.
• Assist the Legal Director with their responsibilities, as needed.

Skills

These positions require strong legal and collaboration skills, and a commitment to social equity and racial justice, along with an eagerness to understand how these issues play out in communities impacted by pollution, industrialization, and the climate crisis. Other qualifications required include:

• Excellent writing, research, analytical, and interpersonal skills.
• Critical and creative thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Experience managing judicial, administrative, or legislative projects.
• Admitted to practice law in Alaska, eligible for reciprocity, or willing to sit for the next available Alaska bar exam.
• The ability to foster, work within, and support a collaborative, team-based environment, including within large and diverse coalitions.
• Humility and strong understanding of the importance of resiliency.

Knowledge of Alaska, scientific experience, knowledge of environmental and administrative law are all plusses.

Education and Experience Desired

• Law degree from an accredited law school
• For a staff attorney, at least 3 years of legal experience (with at least 2 years in environmental law) is preferred.
• For a senior staff attorney, at least 7 years of legal experience with at least 5 years in environmental law is required.

Working Conditions

We work a 40-hour week using a flexible work-from-home and in-office hybrid model. Our office environment is supportive and dog- and child-friendly. We occasionally travel, including to remote areas. The position is based in Anchorage, Alaska. Requests to work remotely while pursuing relocation will be considered.  

Salary and benefits

These are full-time positions with benefits that include paid leave, sick time, and medical/dental/vision, along with flexibility for hybrid in-office and at-home work. The salary range for the staff attorney position is $77,000-87,000; the salary range for the senior staff attorney position is $87,000-103,000 based upon years of experience.