Application Guide
How to Apply for Fall 2026 Legal Externship – Sustainable Food & Farming Program
at Earthjustice
🏢 About Earthjustice
Earthjustice is unique as the nation's premier environmental law organization that exclusively represents clients free of charge, using litigation as its primary tool to protect the environment and combat climate change. Unlike traditional law firms, it operates as a nonprofit public interest law firm driven by mission rather than profit, making it an ideal workplace for those passionate about environmental justice and systemic change through the legal system.
About This Role
This legal externship in the Sustainable Food & Farming Program involves supporting litigation and advocacy efforts to transform the U.S. food system by reducing industrial agriculture pollution and promoting climate-resilient farming practices. Externs will work on cases addressing environmental justice issues affecting farmers, workers, and communities, contributing directly to Earthjustice's mission of creating a sustainable food system that can withstand extreme weather events.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might involve conducting legal research on agricultural regulations, drafting memos on potential litigation strategies, participating in team meetings to discuss case developments, and reviewing scientific literature on farming practices and environmental impacts. Externs would collaborate remotely with attorneys and community partners to develop advocacy approaches that address both legal and environmental justice considerations in food system transformation.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Earthjustice Is Looking For
- A law student eligible to receive academic credit or fulfill graduation requirements through this externship (this is explicitly required in the job description)
- Demonstrated passion for environmental justice and sustainable agriculture through coursework, previous experience, or personal projects
- Strong research and writing skills with interest in litigation and policy advocacy related to food systems
- Ability to work effectively in partnership with diverse communities affected by industrial agriculture practices
📝 Tips for Applying to Earthjustice
Explicitly address your eligibility for academic credit or graduation requirement fulfillment in your application materials
Demonstrate specific knowledge of Earthjustice's Sustainable Food & Farming Program's current cases or advocacy priorities
Highlight any experience with environmental law, agriculture policy, or community partnership work, even if from non-legal settings
Emphasize your ability to work remotely effectively, as this is a remote position within the U.S.
Connect your personal values to Earthjustice's core values of justice, inclusion, partnership, and excellence with concrete examples
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
["Your specific interest in sustainable food systems and how it aligns with Earthjustice's program goals", "Examples of how you've demonstrated Earthjustice's core values (justice, inclusion, partnership, excellence) in previous experiences", 'Your understanding of the legal tools used in environmental advocacy and how you can contribute to litigation efforts', "Why you're seeking this particular externship rather than a traditional law firm position"]
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Earthjustice's current Sustainable Food & Farming Program cases and recent victories
- → The specific environmental justice issues affecting agricultural communities that Earthjustice addresses
- → Earthjustice's organizational structure as a nonprofit law firm and how it differs from traditional firms
- → The program's partnership approach with communities and other organizations
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Focusing only on general environmental interest without specific knowledge of food system or agriculture issues
- Treating this as just another legal internship rather than demonstrating passion for Earthjustice's specific mission
- Failing to address the academic credit requirement or how you'll manage externship alongside law school commitments
📅 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!