Associate Attorney Jobs in Fairfield, CA (NOW HIRING)

Job Title: Associate Attorney

Department: Environmental Law Program

Location: Oakland, CA 

Reports To: Managing Attorney

Supervises: N/A

Duration: 2-year position, beginning August or September 2027

Context: At the Sierra Club, we believe in the power of interdependence. Together, we remain committed to the fight for a healthy climate built on a foundation of environmental, racial, economic, and gender justice - a future where all people benefit from a healthy, thriving planet and a direct connection to nature. As the climate crisis and deeply entrenched systemic racism all fuel injustice, we will continue to fight for a bold, transformational agenda that recognizes the interconnectedness between our planet, our humanity, and our future. By recognizing that our destinies are tied, we continue to name that all things are fundamentally connected, and the overlap between ecology, race, gender, and representative government will move to either advance our collective humanity or to oppress it. Sierra Club has close to 700 staff across the country and a network of 64 local chapters that are led and fueled by thousands of volunteers. We are also proud to be a unionized employer, with three labor unions representing more than half of our employees.

Scope: The Sierra Club Environmental Law Program seeks an associate attorney to begin work at the Sierra Club national headquarters in Oakland, California starting in September 2027. This position is intended for recent law school graduates and early-career attorneys.

As part of the national Sierra Club's legal team, the associate attorney helps coordinate all aspects of the Sierra Club's legal work. Working with senior and staff attorneys, the associate attorney evaluates proposed environmental litigation and prepares formal written recommendations for the Sierra Club's decision-makers; provides legal advice to Sierra Club chapters around the country; helps strategize and implement programmatic legal campaigns; and, during the associate's second year, participates as counsel in select litigation matters aimed at advancing the Sierra Club's national campaigns.

The Environmental Law Program primarily directs legal strategy for the Sierra Club's campaigns, including Beyond Coal, Beyond Dirty Fuels, Clean Transportation for All, and Conservation. We litigate cases and coordinate legal work among campaigns, state-level chapters, and partner coalitions. This full-time position may include work on some evenings and weekends when necessary to meet litigation deadlines.

Compensation and Benefits

The annual salary range for this position is $112,640 - $149,596, depending on years of experience.

This position is represented by a collective bargaining unit and will be subject to the terms and conditions of the contract between Sierra Club and Environmental Law Program Union.

The Sierra Club offers a competitive salary package commensurate with skills and experience plus excellent benefits that include medical, dental, and vision coverage, and a retirement savings 401(k) plan. 

This is a category 5, exempt, represented, professional position.

Please note that Sierra Club is a 501(c)(4) non-profit organization, and thus Sierra Club employees are not eligible to participate in the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program.

Sierra Club values the expertise and talents of foreign nationals. Sierra Club sponsors both nonimmigrant and immigrant visas when certain criteria are met, based on immigration laws and organizational needs. Such sponsorship is at the discretion of the Department Head and Sierra Club People Department in consultation with the employee's manager. The Sierra Club cannot guarantee the approval of a visa petition. The Sierra Club is an equal opportunity employer committed to workforce belonging.

To Apply

Please upload your resume and cover letter, in PDF format. 

The Sierra Club provides equal employment and advancement opportunities to all staff members. Employment decisions are based on merit, qualifications, lived experience and skills. The Sierra Club does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, immigration status, socioeconomic status, ancestry, age, size, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, familial status, veteran status, disability, AIDS/HIV status, medical condition, prior conviction, arrest history, traits historically associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles, or any other characteristic protected by law.

The Sierra Club values applicants who are people that identify as Black, Indigenous, and other minoritized groups; women; queer, transgender, gender non-conforming, and gender fluid people.

Explore, enjoy and protect the planet.

Applications will be accepted through September 16th 2026.