How to apply for FarmSTAND Staff Attorney

About FarmSTAND

FarmSTAND is the only legal project in the U.S. dedicated exclusively to challenging industrial animal agriculture, combining litigation with grassroots alliances to dismantle corporate power and promote regenerative, humane farming. Working here means being at the forefront of a niche but critical intersection of environmental, agricultural, and social justice law.

About the role

As Staff Attorney, you'll handle complex litigation focused on farmer and rural community advocacy, including APA suits against government programs and state environmental actions against factory farms. Your work directly protects independent farmers and rural communities from the harms of industrial agriculture, while advancing a vision of a more just and sustainable food system.

A typical day

A typical day might involve reviewing discovery documents for a CAFO case, drafting a motion for summary judgment in an APA suit, and strategizing with co-counsel over a virtual call. You might also meet with client farmers to understand their harm and coordinate with partner organizations on storytelling or base-building efforts.

Who FarmSTAND is looking for

• An experienced litigator with at least 3 years (including clerkships/fellowships) and a proven ability to manage cases from inception through appeal.
• Strong background in administrative, environmental, or land use law, with specific experience in APA litigation and state environmental statutes.
• Excellent case management skills, able to handle multiple complex cases simultaneously and work autonomously in a remote setting.
• Committed to social justice and aligned with FarmSTAND's mission of supporting independent farmers and challenging corporate consolidation.

Tips for this application

• In your cover letter, explicitly connect your litigation experience to the specific types of cases mentioned (APA suits, state environmental actions) and demonstrate familiarity with the issues of industrial animal agriculture.
• Highlight any experience working with rural communities or farmer advocacy groups, as this is a key focus of the role.
• Quantify your litigation accomplishments, such as number of cases led, motions won, or appeals handled, to show you can hit the ground running.
• Since the role is remote, emphasize your ability to work independently and manage a docket with minimal supervision, providing examples of successful remote collaboration.
• Research FarmSTAND's recent cases and publications, and reference them in your application to show genuine interest and understanding of their work.

What to cover in your cover letter

['Your passion for the mission: explain why you want to take on industrial animal agriculture specifically and how it aligns with your career goals.', 'Your litigation track record: detail your experience with administrative and environmental litigation, especially any cases involving government actions or environmental harms.', "Your ability to grow into a leadership role: show you're ready to oversee cases and potentially mentor junior attorneys, given the emphasis on growing quickly.", 'Your collaborative approach: emphasize your experience working with diverse allies (farmers, communities, other organizations) to achieve legal victories.']

Research before applying

• Review FarmSTAND's website and read about their current docket and past victories to understand their litigation strategies and priorities.
• Research the key players and companies in industrial animal agriculture, and recent regulatory changes or rollbacks that affect factory farms.
• Familiarize yourself with the concept of 'regenerative agriculture' and the challenges faced by independent farmers in the U.S.
• Look into the backgrounds of the Senior Staff Attorney and other team members (via LinkedIn or their website) to understand their approaches and personalities.

Likely interview topics

Based on the job description, expect questions about:

• Discuss a past case where you challenged a government agency or corporate entity; what was your strategy, and what was the outcome?
• How would you approach a case involving a concentrated animal feeding operation (CAFO) harming a rural community under state environmental law?
• How do you stay organized and manage a heavy caseload while working remotely? Give examples of your systems.
• What is your familiarity with the Agricultural Adjustment Act, the Clean Water Act, or other statutes commonly used in animal agriculture litigation?
• Why are you interested in working for a small, mission-driven organization like FarmSTAND, and how does this fit into your long-term career?

Common mistakes to avoid

• Don't send a generic cover letter that doesn't mention the unique focus on animal agriculture or the specific legal areas (APA, environmental).
• Avoid focusing exclusively on animal rights or veganism; this role is about legal strategy and supporting farmers, not activism.
• Don't downplay the need for direct litigation experience; if you lack it, be honest and emphasize transferable skills, but don't overstate your qualifications.