Attorney - Environmental Law

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.

Supported by our members and online activists, NRDC is driving impactful solutions that confront the climate crisis, defend nature and safeguard public health acrossAsia, Africa, and the Americas. NRDC is seeking an Attorney to work with the Litigation Team in any one of our U.The Attorney litigates cases on behalf of NRDC and outside partners, with the ability to lead record-review cases in federal or state trial or appellate courts with limited oversight by a Senior Attorney. This position is part of the bargaining unit represented by The Washington Baltimore News Guild (WBNG / The Newsguild-CWA Local 32035).

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the following essential functions:

Active litigation (~85-90%)

Litigate cases on behalf of NRDC and its partners, including leading record-review cases, drafting complaints and briefs, conducting legal research, and negotiating with opposing counsel, with limited oversight by a Senior Attorney.

Develop or hone oral argument and other court presentation skills, with oversight by a Senior Attorney.

Work within a case team to litigate complex cases, including discovery cases that may go to trial, with substantial oversight by a Senior Attorney.

Research and act as a team-wide resource, as needed, on cross-cutting litigation issues.

Oversee and mentor the work of legal interns, paralegals, and more junior attorneys on specific assignments, including by giving timely feedback and helping with project management.

Contribute to the Team and NRDC’s litigation capacity in other ways, such as by serving on institutional committees, presenting trainings, drafting guidance documents, building relationships with other components of NRDC and allied groups, and engaging in development outreach.

Minimum 3 to 8 years of post-law school experience, including active litigation experience, with at least 4 years of post-law school experience preferred.

Demonstrated competency in working with people with different social identities than the applicant’s own (including race, gender, sexual identity or orientation, age, class, and disability).

A strong conceptual and practical knowledge of litigation processes.

Excellent legal writing, research, and analytical skills.

Ability to lead medium-complexity cases, including record-review cases, with limited oversight from a Senior Attorney, overseeing all aspects of the case.

Knowledge of environmental and/or administrative law and issues of federal practice.

Ability to travel occasionally to other NRDC U.Demonstrated commitment to public service, equity, or social justice.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position within the described work environment.

Frequently: Perform desk-based computer tasks

Ability to attend events and activities in the office or offsite

Work may sometimes be performed at home but requires significant time in the office. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet in office settings and moderate in other situations. Hours of employment may sometimes require working flexible and/or longer hours, including nights and weekends, when necessitated by projects. The job includes work-related situations such as those involving challenging, important, urgent, time-sensitive, or multiple matters.

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. Internal equity will be reviewed and considered to determine a final offer. NRDC operates under a hybrid work model. Employees are required to come to the office 8 days per month.

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.