Staff Attorney, Wildlife Law Program

Our Wildlife Law Program Is Hiring!

Friends of Animals is pleased to announce the opening of the hiring process for an experienced litigation attorney for its Wildlife Law Program (WLP).  Friends of Animals is a non-profit, international animal advocacy organization, incorporated in the state of New York since 1957. We are dedicated to cultivating 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.

Friends of Animals’ WLP is looking to hire an experienced litigator 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. 

Friends of Animals prefers candidates who are located near our Centennial, Colorado office, where the attorney would be expected to work in the office a minimum of three days per week. However, Friends of Animals is willing to consider allowing fully remote work for an exceptionally well-qualified candidate who does not live in Colorado. The Staff Attorney will report to the Director of the Wildlife Law Program. The position will commence as soon as practicable.

Responsibilities:

• Lead litigation in federal district and appellate courts, and potentially state courts.
• Manage new and existing cases, prepare pleadings, motions and briefs.
• Carry out all aspects of litigation with minimal supervision, including development of legal claims, thorough analysis of voluminous records, drafting pleadings and briefs, and presentation/speaking for oral arguments.
• Provide mentoring and supervision for junior attorneys and interns.
• Coordinate and collaborate with Friends of Animals’ direct advocacy staff.
• Prepare and deliver presentations for professional conferences, webinars, and occasional events as needed.

Qualifications:

• Five or more years of litigation experience with some experience as lead counsel preferred.
• Demonstrate alignment and commitment to Friends of Animals’ mission.
• Strong work ethic, attention to detail, and demonstrated ability to meet deadlines simultaneously while handling varied tasks.
• Excellent written and oral communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills, ability to communicate with diverse stakeholders.
• Experience mentoring and supervising others preferred.
• Experience with administrative law preferred.
• Admitted to practice law in at least one state and willingness to sit for the bar exam in Colorado or the state where you will be working (if not already admitted in the state). 

Compensation and Benefits: 
Friends of Animals offers a competitive salary and benefits package. The Staff Attorney will be compensated commensurate with their experience and with the other members of our team, with a starting annual salary of $60,000-$80,000, with the potential for bonuses. Benefits include two weeks of vacation, two personal days, and five sick days, all paid. The employer-provided health insurance will pay the attorney’s full premiums, deductibles, co-pays, and prescription costs. Friends of Animals will pay bar dues and other professional expenses. 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.