Application Guide
How to Apply for Program Lead, Latin America and Caribbean
at ClientEarth
🏢 About ClientEarth
ClientEarth is unique as an international environmental legal organization that uses the law as a tool to drive systemic change on climate, biodiversity, and environmental justice. Unlike traditional NGOs, they combine legal expertise with strategic advocacy to hold governments and corporations accountable. Working here offers the chance to be part of a globally recognized team that wins precedent-setting cases, such as recent climate litigation against governments and financial institutions.
About This Role
This role involves leading ClientEarth's legal strategy for Latin America and the Caribbean, focusing on using U.S. law to address biodiversity loss and climate-related financial risks tied to companies operating in the region. You'll spearhead impact litigation and legal interventions, manage complex cases, and engage with donors to advance environmental protection. It's impactful because you'll directly shape legal precedents that could force corporate accountability and reduce environmental harm across LAC.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might involve analyzing U.S. legal developments related to climate finance, coordinating with LAC-based partners on case strategies, and drafting litigation documents for upcoming filings. You could also participate in donor meetings to secure funding for new initiatives and review risk assessments for potential legal interventions in the region.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who ClientEarth Is Looking For
- A U.S.-licensed attorney with 7+ years of experience in complex litigation or strategic advocacy, ideally as a senior associate or partner at a top-tier firm.
- Demonstrated expertise in climate change, biodiversity law, or environmental justice, with a track record of leading novel impact litigation teams.
- Deep knowledge of U.S. legal frameworks (e.g., securities law, corporate accountability) and how they apply to transnational issues in Latin America and the Caribbean.
- Strong donor engagement and fundraising skills, with experience representing an organization to secure funding for legal campaigns.
📝 Tips for Applying to ClientEarth
Highlight specific cases or projects where you used U.S. law to address environmental issues, especially those involving Latin America, biodiversity, or climate finance.
Emphasize your experience managing litigation teams and developing legal strategies—ClientEarth values leadership in complex, multi-jurisdictional advocacy.
Tailor your resume to show how your background aligns with ClientEarth's recent wins, like their cases against Shell or financial institutions over climate risk disclosures.
Demonstrate your understanding of the LAC context by mentioning relevant legal systems, environmental challenges, or corporate actors in the region.
Include examples of donor engagement or fundraising success, as this role requires contributing to resource mobilization for legal campaigns.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
["Explain why you're drawn to ClientEarth's model of using law for environmental impact, citing specific cases or campaigns they've led.", 'Detail your experience with U.S.-based legal strategies for transnational issues, especially related to climate, biodiversity, or corporate accountability in LAC.', 'Describe a past litigation or advocacy project you led that resulted in measurable outcomes, highlighting your role in strategy development and execution.', "Connect your skills to the role's fundraising aspects, showing how you've engaged donors or secured resources for legal initiatives."]
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Review ClientEarth's recent cases and campaigns in the Americas, such as their work on climate risk disclosures or lawsuits against fossil fuel companies.
- → Study the organization's 2023-2025 strategy to understand their priorities for Latin America and the Caribbean, including focus areas like forests, oceans, or finance.
- → Explore their partnerships with local NGOs in LAC regions to grasp how they collaborate on ground-level legal interventions.
- → Look into their donor base and funding reports to identify key supporters and how they frame impact for resource mobilization.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Submitting a generic application without mentioning ClientEarth's specific cases or their legal approach to environmental issues.
- Failing to demonstrate direct experience with U.S. law in an environmental or transnational context—this role requires deep legal expertise, not just policy advocacy.
- Overlooking the fundraising component; candidates who don't address donor engagement may seem unprepared for the role's full scope.
📅 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!