About ELPC:

The Environmental Law & Policy Center is the Midwest’s leading environmental legal advocacy organization. We use the power of the law and strategic advocacy campaigns to create climate change solutions, advance clean energy, protect public health, and preserve the Midwest’s wild and natural places. Our staff is made up of extraordinary individuals who work together across states and disciplines to solve the most pressing environmental challenges of our times.

JOB SUMMARY: 

The Environmental Law & Policy Center seeks to hire a public interest environmental attorney advocate with 0-3 years of experience following law school for an Associate Attorney position in any of our Chicago, Columbus, Des Moines, Minneapolis and Washington D.C. offices starting in September 2023.  This Associate Attorney will work on ELPC’s cutting-edge public interest climate change and clean energy, natural resources protection and clean air and clean water litigation and innovative policy advocacy.  This is an extraordinary time in which ELPC’s effective legal and policy advocacy – backed by strong economic analysis, sound science and public engagement – are essential for protecting our core environmental values.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Work with ELPC’s Executive Director and Senior Attorneys on litigation and innovative climate action policy initiatives for ELPC’s Clean Energy, Climate Solutions, Great Places & Great Lakes, and Clean Air and Clean Water Program teams.  Assist on special projects. Engage with multidisciplinary project teams:

  • Participate in the full range of tasks involved in complex litigation, including factual investigation, legal research and analysis, discovery, briefing, witness preparation, and oral advocacy.
  • Prepare memoranda on issues relating to ongoing and potential ligation projects.
  • Draft motions, briefs, and other pleadings.
  • Prepare comments on proposed agency actions, permits, and environmental review documents.
  • Engage in proceedings before state and federal courts, public utility commissions, and other administrative tribunals.
  • Engage with clients, coalition partners, and experts, as well as internal communications and legislative staff.

Education & Experience:

Strong academic record. Excellent writing, speaking, and analytical skills. Interest in and substantive law and policy knowledge in at least one of the following fields: energy, environmental, transportation, air quality, land use, and/or natural resources law. Litigation experience is a strong plus. Experience engaging with policy and political issues, ranging from legislative work to campaign experience, is also a strong plus. The attorneys should understand and enjoy multifaceted legal advocacy, coordinated with media, legislative, economic, and policy analysis and organizing approaches. An inspired and demonstrated commitment to public interest advocacy and an ability to work productively as a member of a team of skilled professionals is required.

Salary:

$80,000 – $88,500 based on number of years following law school graduation for ELPC’s Chicago and DC offices, with appropriate geographical variations for other offices – plus excellent benefits.  ELPC encourages applicants to seek funding that will help to support their salary in full or part from sources such as Equal Justice Works, law schools’ public interest grants, etc.