Associate Attorney

Summary

Join the Sierra Club's Environmental Law Program as an Associate or Staff Attorney and become a key litigator, focusing on decarbonizing the electrical grid. You will litigate cases, advocate in stakeholder processes, and advise campaigns. Responsibilities include case development, legal research and writing, oral advocacy, and strategic campaign development. The ideal candidate possesses a J.D. degree, relevant experience (2-4 years for Associate, 5-9 for Staff), excellent legal skills, and a commitment to equity and justice. The position offers a competitive salary ($107,936 - $174,100), excellent benefits, and the opportunity to contribute to a meaningful mission. Location options include Oakland, CA; Washington, D.C.; Denver, CO; with a remote possibility for the Staff Attorney role.

Requirements

• J.D. degree and license to practice law
• 2-4 years of experience as a practicing attorney for Associate Attorney
• 5-9 years of experience as a practicing attorney for Staff Attorney
• Excellent research, writing, analytical and oral advocacy skills
• Strong interpersonal and consensus-building skills, including the ability to work collaboratively with clients and colleagues from diverse backgrounds
• Demonstration of a commitment to equity, inclusion, and justice
• Knowledge of energy law
• Passion for Sierra Club’s mission to enlist humanity to protect and restore the quality of the natural and human environment
• Committed to evolution. You are committed to continuously deepening and evolving your own understanding of systems of oppression through study, openness, and humility. And you easily recognize your own relationship to privilege and power, examining and shifting your behaviors as appropriate
• Uplifting and additive . You see mistakes as opportunities for growth; problems as catalysts for solutions, and inspire others along the journey. You carry a constructive approach, can-do attitude, a sense of humor, and authentic kindness wherever you go

Responsibilities

• Litigate key Sierra Club lawsuits, including Federal Energy Regulatory Commission dockets, under the supervision of managing and senior staff attorneys; assume increasing litigation responsibilities including case development, legal research and writing, and oral advocacy
• Represent the Sierra Club in select regional transmission organization stakeholder processes, through written and oral advocacy, as well as coalition development and support
• Develop and implement strategic legal campaigns to support Sierra Club’s Beyond Coal Campaign objectives,  in coordination with staff, volunteer leaders, and outside counsel
• Help evaluate proposed litigation to advise national volunteer and staff leadership on the scope of Sierra Club participation in legal actions
• Help develop and plan programmatic litigation and advocacy campaigns to support Sierra Club's Beyond Coal Campaign, with a focus on replacing coal and gas with clean energy, while improving the affordability and reliability of electric service. Assist in drafting legal components of strategic plans and reports
• Help develop and execute work in a manner that centers on and promotes equity, justice, and inclusion, and intentionally address the history of inequitable environmental and economic burdens carried by communities overburdened by air, water, and climate pollution and disproportionate energy burdens
• Analyze legal cases and trends for Sierra Club management and membership
• Provide legal advice to Sierra Club Chapters and Groups with their local energy- related legal programs and objectives
• Perform miscellaneous duties as directed

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Retirement savings 401(k) plan