Application Guide
How to Apply for Fall 2026 Legal Externship – Clean Energy Program
at Earthjustice
🏢 About Earthjustice
Earthjustice is unique as the nation's leading environmental law organization that exclusively represents clients free of charge, using litigation to drive systemic change rather than lobbying. They combine legal expertise with strategic partnerships to protect public health and advance environmental justice, making them an ideal workplace for those passionate about using law as a tool for environmental protection and climate action.
About This Role
This legal externship in the Clean Energy Program involves supporting litigation and advocacy to accelerate the transition from fossil fuels to clean energy, hold polluters accountable, and increase clean energy access. Externs will contribute directly to cases challenging false climate solutions and emerging threats while gaining hands-on experience in environmental law within a nationally recognized program.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might involve researching legal precedents for upcoming clean energy cases, drafting sections of legal memoranda on regulatory challenges, participating in team meetings to discuss litigation strategy, and reviewing administrative filings from energy agencies. Externs would work closely with attorneys on active cases while developing practical legal skills in environmental advocacy.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Earthjustice Is Looking For
- Current law student eligible to receive academic credit or fulfill graduation requirement through this externship
- Demonstrated passion for environmental justice and clean energy transition through coursework, clinics, or prior experience
- Understanding of administrative law, energy regulation, or environmental law frameworks relevant to clean energy advocacy
- Ability to work effectively in a remote or hybrid setting within the U.S., with strong research and writing skills for legal memoranda and briefs
📝 Tips for Applying to Earthjustice
Explicitly mention your eligibility for academic credit and specify how this externship fits your law school's requirements
Highlight any experience with administrative law, energy law, or environmental justice clinics in your resume
Reference specific Earthjustice Clean Energy Program cases or initiatives you admire in your cover letter
Demonstrate understanding of their 'false climate solutions' focus by mentioning specific examples like carbon capture for enhanced oil recovery or biomass energy concerns
If applying for hybrid work, indicate your preferred office location (Chicago, LA, NY, Philadelphia, SF, or DC) and why
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
["Your specific interest in the Clean Energy Program's work on transitioning from fossil fuels and increasing clean energy access", "How your legal education and experiences align with Earthjustice's core values of justice, inclusion, partnership, and excellence", 'Examples of your commitment to environmental protection and why you want to use litigation rather than other legal approaches', 'Your ability to contribute to their work on holding coal generators accountable and protecting communities from toxic waste']
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Recent Earthjustice Clean Energy Program cases and victories, particularly those involving coal plant accountability or renewable energy access
- → Earthjustice's organizational structure and how their various programs collaborate on environmental issues
- → Their specific stance on 'false climate solutions' and emerging threats to clean energy transition
- → The leadership and attorneys in the Clean Energy Program and their legal backgrounds
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Generic environmental enthusiasm without specific knowledge of Earthjustice's litigation-focused approach
- Focusing on policy or lobbying experience without connecting it to litigation strategy
- Failing to address how you meet the academic credit requirement or your remote/hybrid work preferences
📅 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:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!