Senior Attorney - Advocate

Overview

NRDC is a non‑profit environmental advocacy organization. We use law, science, and the support of 3.1 million members and online activists to protect the planet’s wildlife and wild places and to ensure the rights of all people to clean air, clean water, and healthy communities. NRDC was founded in 1970 and our people helped write some of America’s bedrock environmental laws; our ocean conservation advocacy continues to play a major role in shaping ocean policy in the U.S., including through litigation. Today, our team of more than 700 lawyers, scientists, economists, policy advocates, communications experts, and others work across the United States and the globe from our offices in Beijing; Chicago; New Delhi; New York; San Francisco; Santa Monica; and Washington, D.C.

NRDC is seeking a Senior Attorney to work with the Oceans team in any of our U.S. offices.

Position Summary

The Senior Attorney will play a key role in NRDC’s oceans‑related federal litigation and regulatory advocacy as a senior member of the Oceans Division. The Senior Attorney will join a team of experienced ocean conservation advocates and litigators and help lead our ocean defense work, including to uphold bedrock conservation laws and protect ocean wildlife. This position will also have the opportunity to collaborate with teams across NRDC, including with experienced attorneys in the NRDC’s Litigation Program and expert communications and campaign staff.

This is a limited‑term 2‑year position with the possibility of renewal.

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

Responsibilities

Represent NRDC in litigation, including legal research and analysis, briefing, and oral argument.

Collaborate with Litigation Program attorneys and other Oceans attorneys and staff on litigation matters.

Monitor unlawful federal deregulatory actions and other threats to administrative agencies and the civil service.

Participate in regulatory proceedings that would roll back ocean protections, including to develop prospective litigation.

Provide counsel and guidance to Oceans staff on legal topics and related policy issues.

Collaborate with NRDC’s experts to refine litigation strategies and ensure alignment with non‑litigation advocacy.

Develop and nurture relationships with side groups and allies on joint initiatives and litigations.

Qualifications

This Senior Attorney position is designed for mid‑career attorneys with at least 7 years of legal experience. In assessing candidates, we look for:

• 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.
• 7+ years of legal advocacy experience, including substantial direct litigation experience.
• 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.
• Commitment to NRDC’s values and mission.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. 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

Frequently : Ability to interact and communicate with employees and others as necessary

Frequently : Attend planned meetings and collaborate with management and coworkers

Occasionally : Ability to attend events and activities in the office or offsite

Work is sometimes performed primarily in 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.

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