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Food Lawyer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Center for Food Safety

Staff Attorney

Portland, OR · On-site

$87K - $133K/yr

For over 25 years, we have created a new food future, fostering a more powerful food movement ... CFS Staff Attorneys develop and prosecute precedent-setting cases in furtherance of CFS ...

Center for Food Safety

Associate Attorney

Portland, OR · On-site

$85K - $98K/yr

CENTER FOR FOOD SAFETY JOB BOARD W ho we are Center for Food Safety (CFS)'s mission is to empower ... The Associate Attorney position is a two-year position with the possibility of promotion and ...

Axiom Talent Platform

ERISA/Employee Benefits Lawyer

OR · On-site +1

$309K/yr

We are seeking Employee Benefits/ERISA Lawyers to work hybrid or remotely with our clients in the financial services, luxury retail, food/beverage, technology, and life sciences industries, with a ...

Gruppo SKF

SKF drives the industries that support our way of life, powers the machines that put food on the ... The lawyer partners closely with business leaders, finance, and compliance teams locally and within ...

Dave & Buster's, Inc.

Food Runner

Cleveland, OH · On-site

When not running food, you provide the necessary support to ensure fast, friendly and accommodating ... Requirements STUFF OUR ATTORNEYS MAKE US WRITE: The physical demands described here are ...

Dave & Buster's, Inc.

Food Runner

Hanover, MD · On-site

When not running food, you provide the necessary support to ensure fast, friendly and accommodating ... Requirements STUFF OUR ATTORNEYS MAKE US WRITE: The physical demands described here are ...

Dave & Buster's

Food Runner

Rochester, NY · On-site

When not running food, you provide the necessary support to ensure fast, friendly and accommodating ... Requirements STUFF OUR ATTORNEYS MAKE US WRITE: The physical demands described here are ...

Dave & Buster's

Food Runner

Cleveland, OH · On-site

When not running food, you provide the necessary support to ensure fast, friendly and accommodating ... Requirements STUFF OUR ATTORNEYS MAKE US WRITE: The physical demands described here are ...

Dave & Buster's, Inc.

Food Runner

Pittsburgh, PA · On-site

When not running food, you provide the necessary support to ensure fast, friendly and accommodating ... Requirements STUFF OUR ATTORNEYS MAKE US WRITE: The physical demands described here are ...

Dave & Buster's

Food Runner

Arlington, TX

When not running food, you provide the necessary support to ensure fast, friendly and accommodating ... Requirements STUFF OUR ATTORNEYS MAKE US WRITE: The physical demands described here are ...

Dave & Buster's, Inc.

Food Runner

Westbury, NY · On-site

When not running food, you provide the necessary support to ensure fast, friendly and accommodating ... Requirements STUFF OUR ATTORNEYS MAKE US WRITE: The physical demands described here are ...

Dave & Buster's

Food Runner

Atlanta, GA

When not running food, you provide the necessary support to ensure fast, friendly and accommodating ... Requirements STUFF OUR ATTORNEYS MAKE US WRITE: The physical demands described here are ...

Dave & Buster's, Inc.

Food Runner

Concord, NC · On-site

When not running food, you provide the necessary support to ensure fast, friendly and accommodating ... Requirements STUFF OUR ATTORNEYS MAKE US WRITE: The physical demands described here are ...

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Food Lawyer information

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$47K

$100.6K

$138K

How much do food lawyer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for food lawyer in the United States is $100,626.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $79,000.00 and $103,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a food lawyer?

Food lawyers are legal professionals who specialize in laws and regulations related to food production, distribution, safety, and labeling. They work with food companies, government agencies, and advocacy groups to ensure compliance with food safety standards and to resolve disputes involving food products. Food lawyers may also advise on issues like food labeling, advertising, intellectual property, and international trade. Their work helps protect public health and ensure that consumers receive accurate information about the food they buy.

What are some common challenges food lawyers face when advising clients in the food industry?

Food lawyers often navigate complex and evolving regulations, such as food safety standards, labeling requirements, and import/export laws. They must stay updated on both local and international policies, which can vary widely and change frequently. Advising clients also involves assessing potential liability risks, managing product recalls, and ensuring compliance with environmental and advertising laws. Collaboration with regulatory agencies and cross-disciplinary teams, such as scientists and compliance officers, is a key part of the role, requiring strong communication and problem-solving skills.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a food lawyer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Food Lawyer, you need a Juris Doctor degree, bar admission, and expertise in food law, safety regulations, and compliance issues. Familiarity with legal research databases such as Westlaw or LexisNexis and knowledge of FDA, USDA, and other food regulatory systems are essential. Strong analytical thinking, negotiation skills, and the ability to communicate complex regulations clearly help distinguish top professionals in this field. These skills ensure clients are effectively advised on food safety, labeling, and compliance, helping them avoid costly legal issues and regulatory penalties.

What is the difference between Food Lawyer vs Food Safety Inspector?

AspectFood LawyerFood Safety Inspector
Required CredentialsLaw degree, bar admission, specialized food law certificationsHigh school diploma or degree in food science, certifications in food safety
Work EnvironmentLegal offices, courtrooms, regulatory agenciesGovernment agencies, food production facilities, inspection sites
Employer & Industry UsageLegal firms, food companies, regulatory bodiesGovernment health departments, food manufacturing companies
Common Search & ComparisonLegal expertise in food lawFood safety compliance and inspections

Food Lawyers focus on legal issues related to food regulations, labeling, and compliance, often working in legal settings. Food Safety Inspectors conduct on-site inspections to ensure food safety standards are met. While both roles are vital in the food industry, they differ in credentials, work environment, and primary responsibilities.

More about Food Lawyer jobs

What cities are hiring for Food Lawyer jobs?

Cities with the most Food Lawyer job openings:

What states have the most Food Lawyer jobs?

States with the most job openings for Food Lawyer jobs include:

What are popular job titles related to Food Lawyer jobs?

For Food Lawyer jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Food Lawyer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Food Lawyer job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 67% Full Time, 32% Part Time, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $100,626 per year, or $48.4 per hour.

Staff Attorney

Portland, OR • On-site

Center for Food Safety
Environmental Consulting Services • 11 - 50 employees
Learn more about Center for Food Safetyexternal

$87K - $133K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 20 days ago

Job description

Location: The position is preferred to be based in either Portland, Oregon, or the San Francisco Bay Area, California, in a hybrid home-office model, but fully remote is also considered for the right candidate.
TO APPLY FOR THIS ROLE, PLEASE VISIT THE CENTER FOR FOOD SAFETY JOB BOARD
Who we are
Center for Food Safety (CFS)'s mission is to empower people, support farmers, and protect the Earth from the harmful impacts of industrial agriculture. We defend and promote your right to safe food and a clean environment through groundbreaking legal, scientific, and grassroots action.
For over 25 years, we have created a new food future, fostering a more powerful food movement against the harmful industrial agricultural system while promoting organic, ecological, and regenerative alternatives. We've won high-profile lawsuits to protect public health and endangered species from pesticides like Monsanto's Roundup and dicamba. We prevented the introduction of genetically engineered wheat, rice, potatoes, and more to the market and secured meaningful labeling to ensure that we all know what's in our food. We succeeded in embedding animal welfare requirements in the organic standards and protecting the oceans from industrial aquaculture. And much more: Our groundbreaking legal cases that protect pollinators, farmworkers, and farming communities, and the earth from the devastating impacts of industrial farming, are a landmark body of case law on food and much more: Our groundbreaking legal cases that protect pollinators, farmworkers, and farming communities, and the earth from the devastating impacts of industrial farming, are a landmark body of case law on food and agricultural issues, transforming our food system.
About the role
Center for Food Safety (CFS), one of the nation's top food and environmental nonprofits, seeks a new Staff Attorney to join our team. The Staff Attorney should have at least four years of litigation experience, including clerkships and/or fellowships. CFS Staff Attorneys develop and prosecute precedent-setting cases in furtherance of CFS's organizational mission and theory of change. The Attorney will participate in and, as appropriate, lead all phases of public interest high-impact litigation and administrative advocacy. CFS Staff Attorneys work with clients, allies, frontline communities, coalitions, and collaborative networks to apply and implement CFS campaigns. Staff Attorneys engage in public speaking and outreach. The Attorney will work on all CFS program areas, including but not limited to:
  • Consumer Advocacy
  • Farmworker and Farmer Protection
  • Food and Climate Change
  • Food Labeling/Right to Know
  • Genetically Engineered Organisms and Monocultures
  • Industrial Animal Agriculture
  • Industrial Aquaculture
  • Pesticides & Other Toxins
  • Pollinator & Wildlife Protection
  • Public Health
  • Regenerative Agriculture: Organic & Beyond

What you'll do
  • Support litigation and advocacy developed by CFS's Legal Team and Legal Director.
  • Serve as lead counsel or co-counsel as appropriate in CFS cases.
  • Fulfill the full range of litigation tasks, including factual investigation, legal research and analysis, discovery and record review, briefing, oral argument, appeals, amicus briefs, settlement, and fee recovery.
  • Lead the factual development for and litigation of precedent-setting public interest cases, furthering CFS's theory of change.
  • Represent CFS and clients in state and federal rulemaking and agency engagement.
  • Support and engage in federal and state legislative activities connected to CFS litigation and organizational mission.
  • Work closely with other CFS attorneys, policy and communications staff, scientists, coalition partners, and clients to build cases and support CFS policies and programs.
  • Engage in public speaking, media, and outreach.
  • Maintain and develop organizational partnerships with new clients, allies, and coalition partners to implement CFS's strategic litigation and organizational mission.
  • Oversee fellows and law clerks and engage in recruitment efforts as appropriate.

Desired qualifications and skills
  • Law school graduate with at least 4 years of litigation experience, including clerkships or fellowships (administrative/environmental/animal law or related area preferred);
  • Ability to independently manage a litigation docket.
  • Excellent analytical, legal research, and writing skills.
  • Excellent communication and public speaking skills.
  • Oral argument experience.
  • Self-motivation and willingness to do administrative tasks.
  • Proven ability to work collaboratively with others in a ,small, team-oriented environment.
  • Strong work ethic, initiative, and creativity.
  • Sensitivity to the concerns of and the ability to work with individuals from diverse cultures, backgrounds, and orientations.
  • Admission to the California or Oregon bar or a willingness to be licensed in either state within one year (or bar admission in an existing remote location).
  • A passion for enforcing and strengthening environmental laws.
  • A passion for and/or a background in food and agriculture issues.

Compensation and benefits
Hybrid - San Francisco, CA: $87,000-$133,000 USD/ year (salary)
Hybrid - Washington, D.C.: $82,000-$123,000 USD/ year (salary)
Hybrid - Portland, OR: $77,000-$113,000 USD/ year (salary)
CFS offers a competitive compensation package, a flexible hybrid work environment, and a four-day workweek. In addition to salary, we offer a discretionary annual bonus and employer matching contributions to a retirement plan. Benefits include medical, vision, and dental insurance, disability insurance, a pre-tax medical savings plan, and generous vacation and leave policies. As a 501(c)(3) organization, CFS qualifies as an employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program.
The pay range for this role is:
87,000 - 133,000 USD per year (West Coast Office - Hybrid)
77,000 - 113,000 USD per year (Pacific Northwest Office - Hybrid)
82,000 - 123,000 USD per year (Washington, DC)

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