Senior Attorney

Core responsibilities:

• Develop innovative litigation strategies and litigate cases to protect imperiled wildlife and habitats under federal environmental and natural resources laws
• Work across disciplines using law, science, policy, and communications to engage in legal advocacy, including drafting comment letters and speaking at public hearings
• Supervise and mentor staff attorneys, legal fellows, and law clerks in the Conservation Law department
• Advise Defenders staff on legal questions and legislative matters and work across departments to generate written products to advance conservation work

This role creates positive change by using legal advocacy and litigation to protect imperiled wildlife and habitats, advancing conservation policies to protect biological diversity through federal environmental laws.

Required qualifications:

• JD degree and appropriate state bar license(s) required
• 10 years of relevant experience with 5 years of supervisory experience
• Substantial knowledge of federal environmental laws including Endangered Species Act, National Environmental Policy Act, Clean Water Act, and related regulations
• Substantial experience litigating in federal district and appellate courts, including reviewing administrative records and drafting legal documents

Compensation: $160,000 - $180,000 annual salary

Other benefits: Non-union eligible position with equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ethnicity, religion, national origin, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy, age, genetic information, disability, veterans' status or other legally protected characteristics

Defenders of Wildlife is an organization focused on conservation policies to protect biological diversity through legal advocacy and environmental protection work.