Application Guide

How to Apply for Senior Attorney, Clean Energy

at Earthjustice

🏢 About Earthjustice

Earthjustice is unique as the nation's premier nonprofit environmental law organization, using the power of law and the strength of partnership to protect people's health, preserve magnificent places and wildlife, and advance clean energy. Working here means joining a team of passionate advocates who are at the forefront of legal battles against climate change, offering the opportunity to make systemic environmental impact through strategic litigation.

About This Role

This Senior Attorney role focuses specifically on leading complex climate and energy cases, with particular emphasis on coal ash management litigation before administrative agencies and courts. The position is impactful because it directly tackles fossil fuel pollution at the enforcement level, requiring both independent case development and coalition leadership to advance Earthjustice's clean energy mission through legal victories.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve reviewing coal ash compliance documents, strategizing with team members about ongoing enforcement cases, preparing comments or petitions for administrative proceedings, and mentoring associate attorneys on litigation tasks. You'd likely balance independent legal research with collaborative meetings to develop case strategies that advance Earthjustice's clean energy goals.

🚀 Application Tools

Generate Cover Letter

AI-powered, tailored for Earthjustice

Interview Prep

Practice questions for this role

🎯 Who Earthjustice Is Looking For

  • Has 6+ years of hands-on litigation experience with demonstrated success in administrative law and environmental enforcement cases
  • Possesses specific expertise or strong interest in coal ash management regulations and litigation strategies
  • Demonstrates experience both working independently on complex cases and collaborating effectively in coalition settings with diverse stakeholders
  • Shows proven ability to mentor junior attorneys and manage litigation dockets while maintaining strategic focus on environmental outcomes

📝 Tips for Applying to Earthjustice

1

Highlight specific cases where you've worked on administrative actions related to environmental enforcement, particularly if they involve energy or waste management

2

Demonstrate your understanding of Earthjustice's strategic approach by referencing specific campaigns or cases from their docket that relate to clean energy or coal ash

3

Quantify your litigation experience (e.g., 'led 8+ administrative proceedings,' 'supervised 3 associate attorneys on complex cases') rather than using generic descriptions

4

Show how you've worked in coalition settings by providing concrete examples of collaboration with other organizations or community groups

5

Tailor your application to emphasize both your technical legal skills and your alignment with Earthjustice's mission-driven, public interest approach

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your specific experience with administrative law proceedings and environmental enforcement actions', "Examples of successful coalition work and how you've navigated complex stakeholder relationships in litigation settings", 'Your approach to mentoring junior attorneys and managing litigation teams while maintaining case quality', "Why Earthjustice's particular focus on clean energy and coal ash litigation aligns with your professional goals and values"]

Generate Cover Letter →

🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Earthjustice's current coal ash litigation docket and recent victories in this specific area
  • → The organization's strategic priorities for clean energy and how coal ash fits into their broader climate strategy
  • → Specific administrative agencies mentioned in the job description (likely EPA and state equivalents) and their current regulatory approaches to coal ash
  • → Earthjustice's organizational structure and how their legal teams collaborate across different program areas

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Describe your experience with coal ash regulations and how you would approach a new enforcement case in this area
2 How do you balance independent case development with collaborative team strategy in complex environmental litigation?
3 Discuss a time you mentored junior attorneys through a challenging litigation process and what you learned
4 What specific Earthjustice cases or campaigns in the clean energy space interest you most and why?
5 How would you approach building coalitions with community groups and other organizations on a coal ash enforcement case?
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Focusing only on general environmental passion without demonstrating specific administrative law and enforcement expertise
  • Presenting as primarily a solo practitioner without showing ability to work in team and coalition settings
  • Failing to show understanding of Earthjustice's specific litigation approach and how it differs from other environmental organizations

📅 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:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Earthjustice!

← Back to Job Listing Apply Now →