Litigation Assistant, Sustainable Food & Farming

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, individuals, and communities to engage the critical environmental issues of our time and bring about positive change. 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, Juneau, Los Angeles, Chicago, Tallahassee, Honolulu, Houston, New Orleans, New York, Philadelphia, Denver, Seattle, Bozeman, Miami and Washington, D.C.

The successful applicant will provide litigation and administrative support to our team, including six attorneys and a scientist based in New York, NY and Washington, D.C. Together, we work to make our current system of food and farming safe, just, and climate friendly.

This role will be based in our office in New York, NY. Our ideal candidate will be available to start as soon as possible.

This position reports directly to the Supervising Senior Attorney and requires the ability to work independently with minimal supervision. This hybrid role is expected to report to the office ~2 days per week.

Litigation Support (80%):

Tasks may include, but are not limited to:

• Under attorney supervision, helping to prepare and filing documents in court and before agencies, including by:

• Formatting, Bluebooking, cite-checking, and proofreading pleadings and other documents, including preparing cover pages, tables, and exhibits;

• Drafting basic pleadings and other matter-related documents such as civil cover sheets, certificates, proposed orders, notices of appearance, pro hac vice applications, and retainer agreements;

• Ensuring compliance with court rules; and

• Filing and serving documents electronically and by mail.

• Under supervision of attorneys and scientist, conducting factual and scientific research and analysis to support litigation and other advocacy; writing memos; contributing to and fact-checking advocacy documents; and preparing charts, maps, figures, and other visual aids.

• Obtaining and synthesizing factual, legal, legislative, and scientific documents from various sources, including courts, government agencies, libraries, Westlaw, HeinOnline, Web of Science, PubMed, and other sources.

• Submitting and tracking requests for information under the Freedom of Information Act and other laws; filing, reviewing, and summarizing responsive information.

• Assisting attorneys in preparation for oral arguments & other engagements, including by printing and organizing relevant documents.

• Submitting and tracking new matter forms and board approval requests.

• Creating, organizing, and maintaining matter files.

• Maintaining matter calendars, including computing and calendaring court and agency deadlines.

• Supporting attorneys in gaining admission to courts, renewing registration, and creating and managing e-filing accounts.

• Assisting attorneys and scientist in identifying potential partners and experts.

• Tracking relevant court and administrative agency proceedings.

Administrative (20%):

Tasks may include, but are not limited to:

• Helping to plan quarterly team retreats, including coordinating meals and travel, tracking expenses, and liaising with external vendors.

• Creating and updating PowerPoint and other presentations.

• Screening, researching, and after consultation with attorneys and scientist, responding to public requests for information or representation.

• Ensuring timely and accurate responses to messages and requests from Earthjustice staff and board members.

• Managing hard copy and electronic files in accordance with Earthjustice's document-retention policies.

• Scheduling meetings and taking notes as requested.

• Assisting with general office tasks such as receiving and sending packages, scanning mail, managing supplies, helping to onboard new employees, shredding documents, and preparing for visitors.

General:

• Helping to foster office morale and positive work environment.

• Completing other tasks as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience, preferably in environmental science or a related field.

• Excellent computer skills, including knowledge of the Microsoft Office Suite (including Excel and PowerPoint), Adobe Acrobat, and Zoom. Familiarity with spatial and statistical analysis programs, such as ArcGIS, R, and Datawrapper, a plus. Some familiarity with basic AI tools and a desire to engage in continuous learning a plus.

• Excellent research, analytic, writing, and communication skills.

• Support for Earthjustice's mission and genuine interest in issues related to food and farming.

• Strong 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.

• 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.

• Ability to organize, set priorities among multiple assignments, meet deadlines, and function calmly under pressure.

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team, including with remote staff.

• Flexible, punctual, highly reliable, and available for occasional evening and weekend work, as well as overtime work on an as-needed basis.

• Ability to work for extended periods on the computer as needed to meet deadlines.

• Ability to travel for occasional trainings, hearings, and meetings.

• Demonstrated awareness of and sensitivity to the needs and concerns of individuals from diverse cultures, backgrounds, and orientations.

• Commitment to the creation of a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work culture that encourages and celebrates differences.

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. As a 501(c)(3) organization, Earthjustice is a qualifying employer for purposes of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program.

Compensation is based on experience and location.

Salary Range for New York City for FY25: $72,000 - $80,000

To Apply:

Interested applicants should submit the following via Jobvite:

• Resume.

• One or two page cover letter that addresses your interest in the role.

We are looking to hire a candidate who is available to start in August 2024. Preference will be given to candidates who apply by June 16, 2024. After that, applications may be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

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.

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