Attorney

Overview

NRDC (the Natural Resources Defense Council) works to safeguard the Earth, its people, its plants and animals, and the natural systems on which all life depends. NRDC combines the power of more than 3 million members and online activists with the expertise of some 800 policy advocates, lawyers, scientists, and communication experts to confront the climate crisis, protect nature, ensure the rights of all people to clean air, clean water, and healthy communities. As an international nonprofit environmental organization, NRDC is working to address the world’s most urgent environmental challenges, and advance innovative, science-based, and enforceable solutions.

Since our founding in 1970, NRDC has helped craft and deliver many of America’s foundational environmental laws, including the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act and Safe Drinking Water Act. Today, we continue to lead in advancing and defending strong environmental protections at the local, state, federal and international levels, as well as through the marketplace. Our team works across the United States and around the world, from offices in Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, New York City, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C., as well as in Beijing, London, and New Delhi (a subsidiary of NRDC India Pvt. Ltd.).

Supported by our members and online activists, NRDC is driving impactful solutions that confront the climate crisis, defend nature and safeguard public health across Asia, Africa, and the Americas. At NRDC, we believe lasting change happens when people bring their talent, passion, and expertise together for a common purpose: to build a cleaner, healthier, and more resilient world. Learn more at nrdc.org.

NRDC is seeking an Attorney to work with our Nature team in one of our U.S. based offices. This is a limited term 2.5 year position. 

Position Summary

The Attorney will play a key role in NRDC’s oceans-related federal litigation and regulatory advocacy as a member of the Oceans Division. The Attorney will join a team of experienced ocean conservation advocates and litigators and help support our ocean defense work, including to uphold bedrock conservation laws and protect ocean wildlife. This position will also support the development of an ocean policy reform agenda in collaboration with staff at NRDC and partner organizations. 

This is a limited term 2.5 year position.

The position you are applying for is part of the bargaining unit represented by The Washington Baltimore News Guild (WBNG / The Newsguild-CWA Local 32035).

Responsibilities

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the following essential functions:

• In collaboration with NRDC attorneys and experts, help to represent NRDC on litigation matters
• Conduct legal research, analysis and briefing 
• Engage in regulatory proceedings relating to ocean conservation 
• Help develop an ocean conservation policy reform agenda and strategy for its implementation 
• Collaborate with Oceans Division staff on advocacy initiatives 
• Effectively work in coalitions and partnerships with other organizations and aligned stakeholders. 
• Effectively collaborate with attorneys at other organizations on common litigation matters and on ocean policy reform
• Support NRDC’s advocacy in Congress and with administrative agencies 

The above list of duties is not comprehensive but generally demonstrates the types of matters under this position’s responsibility. Other duties may be assigned.

Qualifications

Minimum Education & Experience

• Juris Doctor degree and admission to the Bar of the jurisdiction in which they intend to practice, or willingness to complete the requirements for admission to that Bar.  
• 4 plus years of legal advocacy experience, including direct litigation experience.

Skills, Abilities, Competencies

• Knowledge of administrative law and federal court practice   
• Excellent writing, research, and public speaking skills   
• Ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced environment, handle multiple assignments and meet deadlines with strong attention to detail  
• Good strategic judgment, integrity, professional discretion, and ability to handle sensitive/confidential matters 
• Ability to travel to NRDC U.S. based offices, approximately 10% annually 
• Commitment to NRDC’s values and mission 

NRDC is committed to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion, both in our work and in our workplace. We believe that celebrating and actively welcoming diverse voices and perspectives is essential to solving the planet's most pressing environmental problems, and we encourage applications from candidates whose identities have been historically under-represented in the environmental movement.  

We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, marital status, sexual orientation, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.   

We offer competitive salaries, excellent benefits, and a supportive working environment. Salary is based on a nonprofit scale and is commensurate with skills and experience. Internal equity will be reviewed and considered to determine a final offer. For this position, the salary range is $117,000 to $130,000.   

NRDC operates under a hybrid work model. Employees are expected to work in-person at least 8 days per month, either by working from an NRDC office and/or conducting in-person donor meetings.  

As a science-based organization, NRDC aims to do our part to help contain the COVID-19 public health crisis. For the sake of health, safety, and equity, we ask that people be vaccinated unless they have an approved medical or religious accommodation or other exemption in accordance with state and local law. We consider a person to be vaccinated two weeks after receiving one full course of a CDC-approved vaccine. In accordance with state or local law, new hires will be asked to attest to vaccination, those wishing to do so may request medical or religious accommodations or other exemptions via NRDC Employee Relations. NRDC treats all vaccine-related data confidentially, in keeping with local, state, and federal laws.  

To apply, visit  and upload your résumé and cover letter. Please mention where you saw this posting and upload any additional materials that showcase your abilities. Due to the high volume of applications, we will contact only those candidates we would like to interview. Please no phone calls, emails, or in-person résumé drop-offs.  

If you experience technical problems while applying or if you are a person with a disability and need assistance applying online, please reach out to iCIMS Customer Care at View phone number on click.appcast.io.  

For more about NRDC, visit