Legal Observer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Earthjustice is the nation's leading environmental law organization. We wield the power of law and the strength of partnership to protect people’s health, preserve magnificent places and wildlife, advance clean energy, and combat climate change. We are here because the Earth needs a good lawyer.  

Driven by a passion for justice, inclusion, partnership, and excellence, our core values lead us to seek a broad range of perspectives and backgrounds to achieve our mission and maintain an inclusive environment where all staff are valued and respected. 

Earthjustice’s Northeast Regional Office is accepting applications for two part-time legal externs for spring 2027. We are seeking law students who share a passion for justice and a healthy environment, and who are eligible to receive academic credit or fulfill a graduation requirement through this externship. The successful candidate may work remotely within the U.S. or on a hybrid schedule from our New York, NY office. 

The Northeast Regional Office is dedicated to protecting public health and the climate and ensuring a healthy environment for all in the Northeast. We litigate and advocate for a just and equitable transition to clean energy and on behalf of communities disproportionately impacted by environmental harms. The legal externs can expect to learn substantive environmental law and hone legal research and writing skills. 

Responsibilities:  

Under the supervision of a licensed attorney, the legal externs will conduct legal research to assist with cases, participate in case team meetings, and observe strategy meetings and decision-making.  

Qualifications:  

• Enrolled in a law school as a 2L or 3L during spring 2027. 
• Must be eligible to receive academic credit or fulfill a graduation requirement through this externship. 
• Excellent writing, research, analytical and organizational skills. 
• Familiarity with legal research tools, including Westlaw. 
• Strong work ethic, initiative, and ability to think creatively. 
• Ability to work collegially with others and independently. 
• Knowledge of environmental and administrative law is a plus. 
• Interest in public interest law and social justice. 
• Must commit to 10-20 hours/week for 12-16 weeks. 

Compensation: 

Legal externs are unpaid and must receive academic credit or fulfill a graduation requirement for their work with Earthjustice.  

To Apply:

Interested candidates should submit the following materials by Friday, September 18 at 5:00pm PT via Jobvite. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Applications will be reviewed beginning September 21 with offers extended no later than November 13.      

• 1-2-page Resume. 
• Cover letter – In one page, (1) Address why you want to work with the Northeast Regional Office and any information about yourself that is not apparent or fully explained in the resume; (2) Note the number of hours, or a reasonable estimate, you will be able to work each week; (3) Confirm that you can earn academic credit from your law school or that you will fulfill a graduation requirement through this externship; and (4) Indicate any applicable deadlines or requirements that are relevant to your submission or ability to accept an offer.  
• Additional Documents (select “Add Files” in Jobvite): (1) Recent writing sample, preferably a legal brief or memorandum of no more than 10 pages, that primarily reflects your work. Please include a cover page indicating the extent to which your writing sample reflects edits and feedback from others as well as whether artificial intelligence was used in the drafting or editing of your writing sample; and (2) Official or unofficial law school transcript.  
• Finalists will be asked to submit 2 references (law professors or legal supervisors). 

Information about our hiring process and tips for success can be found at https://earthjustice.org/about/jobs/hiring-process. 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 only considers applications submitted for current openings via Jobvite. Unsolicited resumes or resumes for posted positions that are not submitted via Jobvite will not be reviewed or retained.  

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. 

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.