Application Guide
How to Apply for Fall 2026 Legal Externship – Florida Regional Office
at Earthjustice
🏢 About Earthjustice
Earthjustice is the nation's premier environmental law organization, wielding the power of law to protect people's health, preserve wildlife, advance clean energy, and combat climate change. Their Florida Regional Office focuses on protecting waterways and biodiversity, promoting a just clean energy transition, and defending communities disproportionately burdened by pollution. Working here means joining a passionate team dedicated to using legal expertise for environmental justice.
About This Role
This externship offers law students the chance to work on impactful environmental litigation and advocacy in Florida, covering water, species, energy, and community pollution issues. Externs will collaborate closely with attorneys on legal research, writing, and case strategy, contributing to real cases that safeguard Florida's environment. The role is remote or hybrid, providing flexibility while gaining hands-on experience in public interest environmental law.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might involve conducting legal research on Florida water law or energy policy, drafting memoranda for supervising attorneys, and reviewing case documents. You could also attend team meetings via video call to discuss case strategy, and occasionally assist with court filings or public records requests. The work is collaborative yet independent, with opportunities to learn from experienced environmental litigators.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Earthjustice Is Looking For
- A law student enrolled in an ABA-accredited program and eligible for academic credit or graduation requirement fulfillment through this externship.
- Demonstrated passion for environmental justice, public interest law, or related fields, with coursework or experience in environmental law, administrative law, or civil procedure preferred.
- Strong legal research, writing, and analytical skills, with attention to detail and ability to handle complex legal issues under supervision.
- Self-motivated, organized, and able to work independently in a remote or hybrid setting, with excellent communication and teamwork skills.
📝 Tips for Applying to Earthjustice
Highlight your academic eligibility for credit or graduation requirement explicitly in your cover letter or resume, as this is a key requirement.
Tailor your writing sample to environmental law or public interest topics; a memo or brief on a Florida environmental issue will stand out.
Demonstrate your connection to Florida or environmental justice by mentioning specific cases, laws (e.g., Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act), or community work relevant to the region.
In your cover letter, reference Earthjustice's core values (justice, inclusion, partnership, excellence) and explain how you embody them.
Submit a concise, error-free application; Earthjustice is detail-oriented, so proofread carefully and follow instructions exactly.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
["Express your passion for environmental justice and alignment with Earthjustice's mission to protect people, places, and the planet.", "Show specific interest in the Florida Regional Office's work, such as water protection, biodiversity, clean energy transition, or community pollution defense.", 'Explain how your legal skills and experiences (e.g., clinics, internships, coursework) prepare you to contribute to their cases and team.', 'Mention your eligibility for academic credit or graduation requirement and your ability to work remotely or in Tallahassee.']
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Review the Florida Regional Office's active cases and campaigns on Earthjustice's website to understand their current focus areas.
- → Familiarize yourself with key Florida environmental laws and issues, such as the Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act, and state-level water management disputes.
- → Read Earthjustice's annual reports or press releases to grasp their impact and values.
- → Look into the office's recent victories or ongoing litigation related to clean energy, water pollution, or community justice.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Applying without confirming your eligibility for academic credit or graduation requirement; this is mandatory for the externship.
- Submitting a generic cover letter that doesn't reference Earthjustice's specific mission or the Florida office's work.
- Overlooking the remote work requirement; ensure you have a reliable setup and can work independently without constant supervision.
📅 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!