Associate Attorney, Northern Rockies

Earthjustice seeks an Associate Attorney to join our Bozeman office. In the Northern Rockies, we are engaged in litigation focused on protecting the region’s ecosystems, wildlife, and culturally and environmentally important lands, as well as advancing clean energy. 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; and 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 potential for extension, 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. As Associate Attorneys gain experience, they gradually take on more independent responsibility for their cases but work throughout their tenure under the supervision of Senior Attorneys, Deputy Managing Attorneys, or the Managing Attorney. Many Associates have gone on to other positions within Earthjustice and with other public interest organizations. The Northern Rockies office has played a leading and long-standing role as the last line of defense for the ecosystems encompassing Yellowstone and Glacier national parks, as well as the grizzly bears, wolves, bison and other species that depend upon the integrity of these spectacular areas. We are equally engaged in the battle to combat climate change by challenging coal mining and coal-fired power plants, ensuring fair opportunities for development of renewable energy sources, and responding to a rapid growth in energy demand that is raising new environmental and human health issues across the Northern Rockies region. The work of the Northern Rockies office also advocates for environmental interests held by Native American communities and organizations, including work to oppose mining on lands with extraordinary cultural and spiritual importance; to protect and restore native wildlife species of environmental and cultural importance to numerous Tribes, such as the grizzly bear and American bison; and to advance Tribal sovereignty, health, and environment interests in transitioning away from coal power. We regularly litigate federal and state court cases and administrative proceedings in an effort to defeat the major threats to the region’s ecological integrity. For more information about our office’s work, visit This hybrid position is based in our Bozeman, Montana office. This is not a remote position. The successful candidate will be required to come into the office as needed, generally at least one day a week. Responsibilities: Associate Attorneys perform a range of litigation and advocacy-related tasks that can include:

• Conducting legal and factual research.
• Reviewing and analyzing administrative records and technical documents.
• Drafting motions, briefs, and other legal and factual documents in support of litigation and administrative advocacy.
• Participating in proceedings before federal and state courts and agencies.
• Cultivating relationships with clients, experts, allies, and coalition partners.
• Integrating media and legislative advocacy into litigation and other legal strategies.
• Hiring and supervising law students as Earthjustice interns or clerks. Required Qualifications:
• Law school graduate 1-6 year of legal experience and admitted to, or willing and eligible to apply for admission to, the Montana Bar.
• Excellent research, analytic, writing, and communication skills.
• Strong and demonstrated work ethic, good judgment, initiative, and creativity.
• Strong desire to fight for the right of all to a healthy environment.
• Ability to work well independently and in a team-oriented atmosphere.
• Commitment to serving the public interest and a passion for the role of Earthjustice and its mission.
• Demonstrated awareness and sensitivity to the needs and concerns of individuals from diverse cultures, backgrounds, and orientations.
• Ability and desire to contribute to the creation of a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work culture that encourages and celebrates differences.
• High level of emotional intelligence and excellent interpersonal skills. We offer a mission- and employee-focused work environment and a compe

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