How to apply for Climate Litigation Counsel

About Climate Science Legal Defense Fund

The Climate Science Legal Defense Fund provides legal expertise to protect scientists who are threatened or silenced because of their research. It is expanding its work to defend scientists involved in climate litigation, making this a chance to shape a new area of legal support for the scientific community.

About the role

As Climate Litigation Counsel, you will advise and defend expert witnesses, advisors, and scientists whose work is relevant to climate litigation. You will also create legal education materials and trainings, and help scientists with protective measures like forming an LLC. This role directly supports scientific integrity in a contentious legal landscape.

A typical day

You might spend the morning advising a scientist on how to respond to a subpoena, then draft a training module for expert witnesses in the afternoon. Later, you could prepare a witness for an upcoming deposition or research protective measures like forming an LLC. The work shifts based on the needs of the scientists and cases.

Who Climate Science Legal Defense Fund is looking for

• Attorney with 3-5 years of litigation experience, including discovery and trial work.
• Experience preparing witnesses for depositions and trials.
• Interest in climate science, scientific integrity, or civil litigation involving experts.
• Ability to adapt to shifting needs and work independently in a remote setting.

Tips for this application

• Highlight specific litigation experience where you defended or prepared expert witnesses, especially in discovery or trial.
• Mention any work with scientists, academic institutions, or cases involving scientific evidence.
• Explain why you want to support scientists facing legal threats, not just any litigation role.
• Show familiarity with the challenges expert witnesses face in climate litigation, such as harassment or discovery burdens.
• If you have created legal trainings or educational materials, describe them and their impact.

What to cover in your cover letter

Focus on your hands-on experience defending or preparing expert witnesses. Explain how you have handled discovery and trial proceedings. Describe any work with scientists or on scientific issues. State why you want to help CSLDF expand its support for climate litigation.

Research before applying

• Read CSLDF's website to understand their current cases and programs.
• Look up recent climate litigation cases where expert witnesses were involved.
• Research common legal threats scientists face, such as subpoenas or defamation suits.
• Check if CSLDF has published reports or guides on scientific integrity and legal defense.

Likely interview topics

Based on the job description, expect questions about:

• How would you advise a scientist who is considering serving as an expert witness in a climate case?
• Describe a time you prepared a witness for a deposition. What steps did you take?
• What legal risks do scientists face when their research becomes part of climate litigation?
• How would you approach creating legal education materials for scientists unfamiliar with the legal system?
• What protective measures, like forming an LLC, can help scientists, and when would you recommend them?

Common mistakes to avoid

• Submitting a generic cover letter that does not mention climate litigation or expert witnesses.
• Focusing only on general litigation skills without connecting them to scientific defense.
• Ignoring the remote nature of the role and not showing ability to work independently.