Application Guide
How to Apply for Law Clerk - Summer 2026 Energy Justice
at Center for Biological Diversity
🏢 About Center for Biological Diversity
The Center for Biological Diversity stands out for its aggressive, science-based approach to environmental protection through litigation and policy advocacy. Unlike many organizations, they specifically focus on using the Endangered Species Act and other laws to protect biodiversity, making them unique in their direct legal action strategy. Working here means contributing to precedent-setting cases that shape environmental law nationwide.
About This Role
This Law Clerk role focuses specifically on energy justice within environmental law, involving legal research and writing for cases challenging energy projects that harm wildlife and communities. You'll contribute directly to litigation and policy comments aimed at ensuring equitable energy transitions, making this role impactful by addressing both environmental protection and social justice simultaneously.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day involves researching case law and statutes for ongoing energy justice litigation, drafting sections of legal memos or policy comments, and analyzing scientific reports on wildlife impacts. You might attend team meetings to discuss case strategy, review agency filings, and potentially observe court proceedings or agency hearings related to energy projects affecting endangered species.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Center for Biological Diversity Is Looking For
- A 3L or LLM student with demonstrated excellence in legal writing, evidenced by law review participation, moot court success, or high-quality writing samples
- Someone who can articulate specific connections between environmental protection and social justice, particularly regarding how energy projects disproportionately affect marginalized communities
- A candidate with coursework or experience in administrative law, natural resources law, or environmental law who understands agency rulemaking processes
- An individual who combines scientific literacy (ability to understand ecological impacts) with legal creativity to develop novel legal arguments
📝 Tips for Applying to Center for Biological Diversity
Submit a writing sample that demonstrates your ability to analyze environmental statutes like the Endangered Species Act, National Environmental Policy Act, or Clean Air Act
Explicitly connect your passion for wildlife protection to energy justice in your application materials, showing you understand this specific intersection
Research and reference specific CBD energy justice cases or campaigns in your materials, such as their work on fossil fuel infrastructure or renewable energy siting
Highlight any experience with administrative law procedures, as much of the work involves commenting on agency rules and preparing filings
If you have scientific background, detail how you translate scientific information into legal arguments, as scientific literacy is explicitly preferred
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
["Demonstrate specific knowledge of CBD's energy justice work by mentioning particular cases or campaigns you admire", 'Explain how your legal skills directly apply to their litigation-focused approach, with concrete examples of research or writing on environmental issues', 'Articulate your understanding of how energy projects impact both wildlife and communities, showing you grasp the dual focus of this role', 'Connect your commitment to equity and justice to environmental protection, avoiding generic statements about caring about the environment']
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Study CBD's current energy justice campaigns, particularly their litigation against specific fossil fuel projects or transmission lines
- → Review their recent policy comments submitted to agencies like FERC, BLM, or EPA to understand their legal approach
- → Understand their specific focus on using the Endangered Species Act as a tool for climate and energy justice
- → Research their organizational structure to understand how law clerks contribute to their legal team's work
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Submitting generic environmental law writing samples without demonstrating specific knowledge of energy or wildlife protection issues
- Failing to articulate the connection between environmental protection and social justice in application materials
- Using vague language about 'passion for the environment' without showing understanding of CBD's specific litigation-focused approach
- Not tailoring materials to show how your skills match their preference for administrative law and scientific literacy
📅 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!
Ready to Apply?
Good luck with your application to Center for Biological Diversity!