Application Guide
How to Apply for Senior Attorney, Clean Energy
at Earthjustice
🏢 About Earthjustice
Earthjustice is the premier nonprofit environmental law organization that wields the power of law to protect people's health, preserve places and wildlife, and advance clean energy. Unlike traditional law firms, Earthjustice operates exclusively on behalf of the public interest, taking on precedent-setting cases that shape environmental policy nationwide. Working here means joining a mission-driven team of legal experts dedicated to systemic change through strategic litigation and advocacy.
About This Role
This Senior Attorney role focuses specifically on leading complex climate and energy litigation with an emphasis on coal ash management cases before administrative agencies and courts. You'll be responsible for the full litigation lifecycle—from investigation and legal strategy development to briefing and oral arguments—while supervising junior team members. This position directly advances Earthjustice's mission by challenging harmful energy practices and enforcing environmental regulations through high-stakes legal action.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might involve reviewing discovery documents for a coal ash case, drafting a motion for summary judgment, meeting with scientific experts to develop testimony, and supervising an associate attorney's research on regulatory precedents. You'll likely collaborate with other Earthjustice attorneys on litigation strategy and participate in team meetings to coordinate advocacy efforts across multiple cases.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Earthjustice Is Looking For
- A litigator with 6+ years of experience who has handled administrative law cases, particularly in environmental enforcement or energy regulation
- Someone with demonstrated expertise in coal ash management issues or related Clean Air Act/Clean Water Act litigation
- A collaborative leader who has successfully mentored associate attorneys and managed litigation teams in coalition settings
- An attorney admitted (or immediately eligible) to practice in the relevant U.S. jurisdiction with exceptional legal writing and oral advocacy skills
📝 Tips for Applying to Earthjustice
Highlight specific coal ash or administrative enforcement cases you've worked on—Earthjustice values direct experience with their priority issues
Demonstrate your coalition-building skills by describing how you've collaborated with environmental groups, community organizations, or government agencies
Quantify your litigation impact (e.g., 'led 3 successful challenges to EPA regulations' or 'supervised 5 associate attorneys on complex cases')
Tailor your resume to emphasize administrative law experience before agencies like EPA, FERC, or state environmental departments
Show familiarity with Earthjustice's current docket by referencing specific cases or campaigns in your materials
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
['Your passion for environmental justice and specific interest in coal ash/clean energy litigation', 'Examples of leading complex administrative or enforcement cases from start to finish', 'Experience mentoring legal teams and working in collaborative, mission-driven environments', "Why Earthjustice's public interest model aligns with your career goals over traditional law practice"]
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Earthjustice's current coal ash litigation portfolio and recent victories in this area
- → The organization's strategic priorities in their 'Right to Zero' or clean energy campaigns
- → Key administrative agencies involved in coal ash regulation (EPA, state environmental departments)
- → Earthjustice's organizational structure and how legal teams collaborate across offices
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Focusing primarily on corporate or defense-side environmental law experience without demonstrating public interest alignment
- Failing to show specific administrative law or enforcement experience in your application materials
- Using generic environmental enthusiasm without connecting it to Earthjustice's specific litigation strategies
📅 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!