Application Guide

How to Apply for Senior Attorney

at Defenders of Wildlife

🏢 About Defenders of Wildlife

Defenders of Wildlife is a leading conservation organization that uses law, science, and advocacy to protect imperiled species and their habitats. Working here means joining a mission-driven team that has a tangible impact on biodiversity and environmental policy, with a strong focus on legal innovation and cross-disciplinary collaboration.

About This Role

As Senior Attorney, you will lead high-stakes litigation under federal environmental laws like the ESA and NEPA, shaping conservation policy through strategic lawsuits and public advocacy. This role offers the opportunity to mentor junior attorneys and influence legal strategy at a national level, all while working remotely with a dedicated team of experts.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might start with reviewing case filings and strategizing with your legal team on an upcoming motion. You could then join a cross-departmental meeting with scientists and policy experts to align on a new advocacy campaign, followed by mentoring a staff attorney on a brief. Afternoons might involve drafting a comment letter on a proposed regulation or preparing for oral argument in a federal appellate case.

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🎯 Who Defenders of Wildlife Is Looking For

  • A seasoned litigator with at least 10 years of experience, including 5 years supervising attorneys, who has a proven track record in federal district and appellate courts.
  • Deep expertise in the Endangered Species Act, NEPA, and other key federal wildlife laws, with the ability to craft innovative legal strategies for complex conservation challenges.
  • A collaborative leader who thrives in cross-disciplinary environments, working effectively with scientists, policy experts, and communicators to advance conservation goals.
  • A passionate advocate for wildlife protection, with a commitment to Defenders' mission and a proactive approach to mentoring the next generation of conservation lawyers.

📝 Tips for Applying to Defenders of Wildlife

1

Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight specific cases you've litigated under the ESA or NEPA, including outcomes and their conservation impact.

2

Demonstrate supervisory experience by detailing how you've mentored junior attorneys or managed legal teams, with concrete examples of professional development initiatives.

3

Showcase your ability to work across disciplines by describing collaborative projects with scientists or policy experts, not just legal work.

4

Research Defenders' current litigation docket and mention how your expertise aligns with their ongoing cases or strategic priorities.

5

If you have experience with remote work or virtual collaboration tools, highlight that to show you're prepared for a fully remote role.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Your passion for wildlife conservation and alignment with Defenders' mission, with specific examples of why you care about protecting imperiled species.", 'Your litigation successes in federal court, especially under the ESA or NEPA, and how those outcomes advanced conservation.', 'Your leadership philosophy and experience supervising attorneys, including how you foster growth and collaboration in a legal team.', "Your understanding of Defenders' unique approach of integrating law, science, and advocacy, and how you've done similar cross-disciplinary work."]

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Review Defenders' current priority campaigns and recent legal victories to understand their strategic focus.
  • → Read their annual reports and policy positions on key species like wolves, grizzly bears, or sea turtles.
  • → Familiarize yourself with their organizational structure and how the Conservation Law department interacts with other teams.
  • → Look into any recent media coverage or press releases about their litigation efforts.
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💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Describe a complex ESA case you litigated and the strategy you employed.
2 How do you balance aggressive litigation with the need for collaborative advocacy?
3 Tell us about a time you mentored a junior attorney and helped them develop a key skill.
4 How do you stay current with changes in federal environmental regulations?
5 How would you approach a case where scientific data is inconclusive but urgent action is needed?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Submitting a generic application that doesn't reference Defenders' specific mission or current cases.
  • Overlooking the supervisory requirement; failing to provide concrete examples of mentoring or team leadership.
  • Focusing only on litigation experience without showing an understanding of the broader conservation context and interdisciplinary work.

📅 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 Defenders of Wildlife!

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