Associate Attorney, Northwest Regional Office - Earthjustice Legal Defense Fund

The Northwest Office of Earthjustice seeks an Associate Attorney to join our team.  We opened our office in Seattle in 1987 to enable Earthjustice to take a more active role in preserving the unique natural resources, wildlife, and communities in the Pacific Northwest. Since that time, the Northwest office has undertaken campaigns to protect old growth forests, promote salmon recovery and habitat protection, protect Puget Sound and the Salish Sea and the communities that depend on them, prevent the Pacific Northwest from becoming a fossil fuel export hub, and promote a just transition to a clean energy future, among other things. We continue to expand our climate and clean energy work and our partnerships with environmental justice communities in the Seattle and Portland areas. We frequently work in close partnership with Native American Tribes and fence-line communities. 

Although the primary focus of the Northwest office is representing environmental and community groups in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and northern California, we often take cases with national scope. For example, the Northwest office leads nationwide litigation focused on compelling full and transparent environmental reviews for projects that harm environmental health and communities, ensuring protection of threatened and endangered species, and banning dangerous pesticides, like chlorpyrifos.  We have a track record of achieving significant, lasting environmental protections, and we achieve this by hiring people who share a passion for justice and a healthy environment. Sound like you? 

Our office is located in the heart of downtown Seattle near the federal and state courthouses and the waterfront.  We are currently using a hybrid remote/in-office model, with all staff working in the office at least four days per month. Our goal is to produce the highest quality legal work in a diverse, inclusive, supportive, and collegial environment. 

The Associate Attorney position is a three-year position with the opportunity for extension.  Many associates have gone on to other positions within Earthjustice and with 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 is the premier nonprofit environmental law organization. We take on the biggest, most precedent-setting cases across the country. We wield the power of law and the strength of partnership to protect people’s health; to preserve magnificent places and wildlife; to advance clean energy; and to combat climate change. We partner with thousands of groups to engage on the critical environmental issues of our time and bring about positive change. We are here because the earth needs a good lawyer. 

This is a hybrid position based in Seattle, Washington.

Responsibilities 

Associate attorneys perform a range of work, in partnership with other attorneys and professional staff to investigate, develop, and pursue advocacy before administrative agencies and litigation in court. 

As associate attorneys gain experience, their dockets 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, scientists, and professional staff to build cases and support policies that serve a diverse set of clients. 
• Participate in the full range of tasks involved in administrative advocacy and complex litigation, including factual investigation, legal research, memo writing, briefing, and oral advocacy. 
• Interact with clients and work with experts to develop a clear understanding of the facts involved in each case and, ultimately, to support our litigation goals. 
• Represent Earthjustice on telephone calls and at meetings with clients, partners, co-counsel, and experts. 
• Develop skills required to serve as spokesperson with print and other media. 
• Assist with hiring and supervision of student law clerks. 

 Qualifications  

• Law school graduate and admitted to, or willing to apply for admission to, the Washington State Bar. 
• 0-6  years of litigation experience (2025 Graduates welcome to apply) 
• Ability and desire to contribute to the creation of a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work culture that encourages and celebrates differences. 
• Excellent legal research, writing, analytical, and communication skills. 
• Strong work ethic, good judgment, initiative, creativity, and sense of humor. 
• Ability to work independently and as a collegial team member. 
• Commitment to public interest work and a passion for the role of Earthjustice and its mission, particularly in the Pacific Northwest.

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. 

Salary depends on experience and location. 
Salary range for Seattle, Washington: $101,800 - $129,100 

To Apply 

Interested applicants should submit the following via Jobvite:  

• Resume.  
• One-page cover letter that addresses at least the following subjects: (1) your legal skills; (2) your interest in Earthjustice’s mission and any particular legal, environmental, or social justice issues in the Pacific Northwest; and (3) aspects of your background that show competence to work with diverse clients and colleagues. 
• Writing sample, preferably a legal brief or memorandum that is either unedited or lightly edited by someone other than you. Please include a cover sheet explaining the extent of editing by someone else. 
• Unofficial Law school transcript; and  
• List of three professional or academic references.  

For this position, we are looking to hire a candidate that is available to start in  September 2025 . Preference will be given to candidates who  apply by January 12, 2025.  

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.