Environmental Attorney Jobs in Reston, VA (NOW HIRING)

Earthjustice seeks an Associate Attorney to join our growing team of lawyers who work to accelerate a shift from coal- and gas-fired electricity generation, and to advance clean energy throughout the country. The Associate Attorney will reside in ourClean Energy Program, focusing on litigation, advocacy and strategy before state public utility commissions, administrative bodies, and in courts in support of an equitable transition to clean, affordable, and reliable energy. The work will include combatting fossil-fuel-fired generation, with a focus on emerging climate threats in the near-term that could jeopardize progress toward a clean energy future.

Earthjustice is the nation's leading environmental law organization. Wielding the power of law, Earthjustice partners with our clients to take on the most critical fights of our time - fights to protect the incredible biodiversity and wild places of the planet; to avert climate disaster by transitioning society away from fossil fuels toward clean energy; to safeguard the right of all people to a healthy environment. 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 Associate Attorney position is a three-year position with the opportunity for extension. Many Associates have gone on to other more senior positions within Earthjustice or have joined other public interest organizations. The Associate Attorney program is designed to help attorneys who are in the early stages of their careers to develop into thoughtful, professional, and effective advocates skilled in the various phases of public interest litigation.

Earthjustice understands that attracting, developing, and retaining attorneys whose backgrounds represent our nation's rich diversity makes us more effective and is integral to our values of excellence, partnership, justice, and inclusion. Our goal is to produce the highest quality legal work in a diverse, inclusive, supportive, and collegial environment.

The Associate Attorney position will be based in one of the Clean Energy Program's home offices: New York, NY; Washington, D.C.; Philadelphia, PA; Chicago, IL; San Francisco, CA; or Los Angeles, CA office.The team works on a hybrid schedule.

Associate Attorneys perform a range of work, in partnership with senior attorneys and professional staff, to investigate, develop, and prosecute administrative appeals and litigation including: factual investigation, legal research, case development, record review, client engagement and development, expert evidence and witness development, motions practice and brief writing, oral advocacy, and appellate advocacy.

As Associate Attorneys gain experience, their case load may include cases for which they have primary responsibility under the supervision of a senior attorney, in addition to matters on which they work in a supporting role with senior attorneys. Specific responsibilities include:

• Work closely with Earthjustice attorneys and professional staff to investigate, develop and advance litigation and administrative advocacy that serves a diverse set of clients.
• Participating in the full range of tasks involved in energy advocacy and litigation, including factual investigation, legal research and analysis, memo and brief writing, expert testimony, hearings and more.
• Engaging in proceedings before state and federal courts, public utility commissions, and other administrative tribunals. Representing Earthjustice at remote and in-person venues and meetings with clients, partners, co-counsel, opposing counsel, technical experts, and agency staff.
• Prepare comments on proposed agency actions, permits, and environmental review documents.
• Assist in reviewing and/or drafting policies including regulations, legislation, etc., in tandem with legal advocacy, to address cutting-edge environmental issues.
• Supporting efforts to ensure a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work culture that encourages and celebrates differences.
• Developing skills required to serve as a spokesperson to media.
• Participating in hiring and supervision of student law clerks and externs.

• Juris Doctorate Required
• Licensed to practice law in the US jurisdiction in which the attorney will be located, or a willingness and qualifications to apply for membership within fourteen months of employment.
• 0-3 years of litigation and legal advocacy experience, with energy advocacy experience preferred.
• Excellent research, analytic, writing, and communication skills.
• Strong and demonstrated work ethic, good judgment, initiative, and creativity.
• Interest in working on novel legal and factual issues at the intersection of technological advancements and the environment.
• Ability to work constructively and in a highly professional manner in a diverse, dynamic, and hard-working team-oriented atmosphere.
• Commitment to public interest work and a passion for the role of Earthjustice and its mission, including a desire to fight for the right of all to a healthy environment.
• Emotional intelligence and sensitivity to the needs and concerns of individuals associated with diverse cultures, backgrounds and orientations.
• Ability and willingness to travel as needed for case work, court appearances, and presentations.
• Demonstrated awareness and sensitivity to the needs and concerns of individuals from diverse cultures, backgrounds, and orientations.

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.

Compensation is based on experience and location. FY27 rates.
Salary range in New York, NY; San Francisco, CA: $113,900 - $127,100
Salary range in Washington, D.C.; Los Angeles, CA; Chicago, IL: $108,200 - $120,700
Salary range in Philadelphia, PA: $102,500 - $114,400

Interested applicants should submit via Jobvite:

• Resume.
• A cover letter explaining your interest in this position; what draws you to Earthjustice's mission; and the aspects of your background that are relevant to the qualifications listed above. Please also indicate the Earthjustice office location(s) where you would prefer to work.
• Writing sample, preferably a legal brief or memorandum that is either unedited or only lightly edited by someone other than you. Please include a cover sheet explaining the extent of editing by someone else.
• Law school transcript.

We seek a candidate available to start by September 2026. Applications must be received by July 5, 2026. Earthjustice typically brings our associate attorneys on board on a quarterly schedule, during the months of January, April, June and September.

Please reach out to jobs@earthjustice.org if you are having technical difficulties submitting your application. No phone calls, drop-ins, or hard copies.

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 given 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.

For positions located within the City and County of San Francisco: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

For positions located within the City of Los Angeles: We will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring.

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