Application Guide

How to Apply for Fall 2026 Legal Externship – Biodiversity Defense Program

at Earthjustice

🏢 About Earthjustice

Earthjustice is unique as the nation's leading environmental law organization that exclusively represents clients free of charge, wielding litigation as its primary tool to protect the environment. Unlike traditional law firms, it operates as a non-profit public interest law firm driven by a mission to combat climate change and safeguard biodiversity through strategic legal battles. Working here offers the opportunity to be part of high-impact environmental litigation that shapes national policy and protects ecosystems.

About This Role

This legal externship in the Biodiversity Defense Program involves supporting litigation and policy work focused on addressing the biggest drivers of biodiversity loss, including habitat destruction and wildlife over-exploitation. Externs will conduct legal research, draft memoranda, and assist with case development while learning how Earthjustice builds partnerships across regional offices to tackle intersectional environmental challenges. The role is impactful because it contributes directly to cases that could establish legal precedents protecting endangered species and ecosystems.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve conducting legal research on wildlife protection statutes for an upcoming case, drafting memoranda on habitat destruction issues, and participating in virtual meetings with attorneys from different regional offices to coordinate litigation strategy. Externs would review administrative records, analyze regulatory developments affecting biodiversity, and contribute to case development while receiving mentorship from experienced environmental attorneys.

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🎯 Who Earthjustice Is Looking For

  • A law student passionate about environmental justice with demonstrated interest in biodiversity protection through coursework, clinics, or previous experience
  • Someone eligible to receive academic credit or fulfill a graduation requirement through this externship (a strict requirement mentioned in the posting)
  • A candidate with strong legal research and writing skills, particularly in environmental law, administrative law, or wildlife protection statutes
  • An individual who understands Earthjustice's partnership-driven approach and can work collaboratively across remote teams

📝 Tips for Applying to Earthjustice

1

Explicitly state your eligibility for academic credit or graduation requirement fulfillment in your application materials

2

Reference specific Earthjustice cases related to biodiversity that you've researched, particularly those from the Biodiversity Defense Program

3

Highlight any experience with environmental statutes like the Endangered Species Act, National Environmental Policy Act, or Marine Mammal Protection Act

4

Demonstrate understanding of Earthjustice's 'partnership' value by describing collaborative legal or environmental work

5

If applying for remote work, mention your ability to work independently while maintaining communication with distributed teams

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Your specific passion for biodiversity protection and how it aligns with Earthjustice's mission to combat the biggest drivers of biodiversity loss", "Examples of how you've engaged with environmental law through coursework, research, or previous experience", "Why Earthjustice's partnership-driven approach to environmental litigation resonates with your professional values", 'How receiving academic credit through this externship fits into your law school curriculum and career goals']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Recent Biodiversity Defense Program cases and litigation outcomes on Earthjustice's website
  • → Earthjustice's organizational structure and how the Biodiversity Defense Program collaborates with regional offices
  • → The specific drivers of biodiversity loss mentioned in the job description and current legal challenges in those areas
  • → Earthjustice's diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives and how they inform their legal strategy

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Your understanding of the Biodiversity Defense Program's focus areas and how they intersect with climate change
2 Specific environmental statutes you've studied and how they apply to biodiversity protection cases
3 How you would approach legal research on a habitat destruction case involving multiple stakeholders
4 Your experience working in remote or hybrid legal environments and maintaining productivity
5 Examples of how you've demonstrated Earthjustice's core values of justice, inclusion, partnership, or excellence in previous work
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Submitting a generic environmental law application without specific references to biodiversity or Earthjustice's work
  • Failing to address the academic credit requirement or how this externship fits your law school program
  • Focusing only on climate change without connecting it to biodiversity loss and habitat protection

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Earthjustice!

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