Earthjustice is now accepting applications for a Deputy Managing Attorney to join our team of lawyers and advocates who are working to reduce the U.S.’s dependence on coal-fired power and to promote clean energy in its stead.  We seek an attorney with strong management skills and at least ten years of litigation experience to both litigate and work with the Coal Program’s Managing Attorney to ensure effective management of a growing team of lawyers and associated staff that currently number fourteen.  The position will preferably be based in our Philadelphia, office, though other locations where Earthjustice has an office or significant presence will also be considered for the right candidate.

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 preserve magnificent places and wildlife; to advance clean energy; and to combat climate change.  We partner with thousands of groups, supporters, individuals and communities to engage 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, Juneau, Los Angeles, Tallahassee, Miami, Honolulu, New York, Philadelphia, Denver, Seattle, Bozeman, and Washington, DC.

The Coal Program uses hard-hitting litigation and administrative advocacy to work to end our nation’s reliance on dirty, expensive, and outdated coal-fired power, and to transform our country’s energy sector into one that is clean, renewable, and modern.  Our docket includes litigation to defend and strengthen stringent environmental standards for coal plants, lawsuits challenging government or industry failure to implement such standards, and challenges to utility proposals to spend hundreds of millions of dollars or more on aging coal plants rather than investing in clean energy.  While most of our work is domestic, we also have a growing engagement on coal issues internationally.  For more information about the Coal Program, please visit http://earthjustice.org/about/offices/coal.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Management (approximately 50%)

• Assist the Managing Attorney in developing program direction and strategy.
• Serve as direct supervisor of some of the program Attorneys and Litigation Assistants, responsible for providing performance feedback, training, and career development opportunities.
• Work with the Managing Attorney to recruit, evaluate, and hire qualified candidates for open positions
• Help ensure the advancement of Earthjustice’s diversity, equity, and inclusion goals and values.
• Oversee budgeting and other financial matters.
• Work with Office Manager to implement internal operational policies and procedures.  
• Advise staff on ethical and office policy matters.

Litigation (approximately 50%)

• Develop cases and legal advocacy strategies to support program goals.
• Litigate cases from beginning to end, performing all aspects of litigation.
• Cultivate new and diverse allies and coalition partners in support of our program goals, and that advance our efforts to ensure that social justice considerations inform every aspect of our work.
• Collaborate and manage relationships with co-counsel, clients, and coalition partners.
• Serve as spokesperson for Earthjustice, clients, and partners.
• Work effectively with other departments within Earthjustice, including Communications, Development, and Policy and Legislation.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Law school graduates who are admitted, or willing to apply for admission, to the state bar where they are located.
• A minimum of 10 years of litigation experience.
• Excellent management skills including delivering constructive performance feedback, mentoring and promoting the career development of staff, program and project planning and implementation, and coordinating development, finance, and recruitment efforts.
• Ability to manage a litigation docket effectively, lead a litigation team, and work collaboratively with colleagues and partner organizations
• Knowledge and experience in energy law and issues is preferred.
• Proficient at working with technical experts.
• Strong skills in communicating litigation and advocacy goals and messages to the media. 
• Ability to work independently and in collaboration with client partners and staff.
• Ability and willingness to travel as needed for case work, court appearances, and presentations.
• Commitment to serving the public interest, and a passion for the role of Earthjustice and its mission.
• Demonstrates an awareness and sensitivity to the needs and concerns of individuals from diverse cultures, backgrounds and orientations.
• Contributes to the creation of a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work culture that encourages and celebrates differences.

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.

TO APPLY

Interested candidates should submit a:

• Resume.
• One- to two-page cover letter that explains your interest in and approach to effective management.
• Writing sample, preferably a legal brief or memorandum that primarily reflects your work.
• List of three references.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. 

Please, no phone calls, hard copies, or drop-ins. If you're having technical difficulties submitting your application, please reach out to jobs@earthjustice.org

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Earthjustice is driven by a passion for justice, partnership and excellence.  Our core values lead us to seek a broad range of perspectives and backgrounds to achieve our mission and to maintain an inclusive environment where all staff are valued and respected.  As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to employment practices that ensure that employees and applicants for employment are provided with equal opportunities without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information or any other factor that is not related to the position.