Application Guide

How to Apply for Senior Attorney

at Defenders of Wildlife

🏢 About Defenders of Wildlife

Defenders of Wildlife is unique as a national conservation organization that specifically focuses on legal advocacy and policy work to protect imperiled species and habitats. Unlike broader environmental groups, they employ a targeted approach using litigation, science, and policy expertise to achieve concrete conservation outcomes. Someone might want to work here to engage in high-impact environmental law with a team dedicated exclusively to wildlife protection through the legal system.

About This Role

This Senior Attorney role involves developing and executing innovative litigation strategies under federal environmental laws to protect wildlife and habitats, while supervising and mentoring junior legal staff in the Conservation Law department. The position requires working across disciplines—combining law, science, and policy—to advance conservation through legal advocacy, public hearings, and interdepartmental collaboration. It's impactful because it directly shapes legal precedents and policies that determine the survival of endangered species and ecosystems.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve reviewing administrative records for an upcoming Endangered Species Act case while supervising a staff attorney's brief preparation, then collaborating with science staff to integrate biological data into legal arguments. Later, you might draft comment letters on proposed regulations, mentor a legal fellow on litigation strategy, and participate in interdepartmental meetings to align legal advocacy with policy and communications efforts.

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🎯 Who Defenders of Wildlife Is Looking For

  • A JD with 10+ years of environmental law experience, including 5+ years supervising legal teams, and active bar license(s)
  • Demonstrated expertise litigating federal environmental cases (Endangered Species Act, NEPA, Clean Water Act) with substantial experience in federal district and appellate courts
  • Proven ability to develop innovative litigation strategies and review complex administrative records while drafting persuasive legal documents
  • Experience working interdisciplinary with scientists, policy experts, and communicators to advance conservation goals through legal advocacy

📝 Tips for Applying to Defenders of Wildlife

1

Highlight specific federal environmental law cases you've litigated (especially ESA, NEPA, Clean Water Act) with outcomes that protected wildlife or habitats

2

Demonstrate your supervisory experience by quantifying team size, mentorship examples, and how you've developed junior attorneys in conservation law

3

Showcase interdisciplinary work examples where you integrated science, policy, and communications into legal advocacy

4

Tailor your application to Defenders' specific conservation priorities by referencing their current litigation campaigns or policy positions

5

Include concrete examples of innovative litigation strategies you've developed, not just routine case management

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your specific experience with federal environmental law litigation, particularly cases involving the Endangered Species Act or habitat protection', 'Examples of successful supervisory experience developing junior attorneys in environmental law settings', 'Demonstrated ability to work across disciplines (law, science, policy, communications) to achieve conservation outcomes', "Alignment with Defenders' mission and specific knowledge of their current legal advocacy priorities"]

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Defenders' current active litigation cases and their legal strategies (check their website's legal section)
  • → The organization's specific conservation priorities and recent policy victories
  • → Their Conservation Law department structure and key staff attorneys' backgrounds
  • → Recent public comments, testimony, or legal briefs they've filed on federal environmental issues
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💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Describe your most innovative litigation strategy in an environmental case and its outcome for wildlife protection
2 How have you mentored junior attorneys in developing conservation litigation skills?
3 Discuss a complex administrative record review you conducted and how it informed your legal strategy
4 How do you integrate scientific data and policy considerations into your legal advocacy approach?
5 What experience do you have collaborating across departments (science, policy, communications) to advance conservation goals?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Generic environmental law experience without specific wildlife or habitat protection examples
  • Focusing only on litigation experience without demonstrating interdisciplinary collaboration skills
  • Failing to show supervisory experience specifically in legal/attorney development contexts
  • Not tailoring application materials to Defenders' specific mission and conservation approach

📅 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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