How to apply for Southwest Law Clerk

About Center for Biological Diversity

The Center for Biological Diversity works to protect endangered species and the lands, waters, and climate they depend on. It uses litigation, science, media, and grassroots organizing together. This role sits in the Southwest program, which covers Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah's Colorado Plateau.

About the role

As a Southwest law clerk, you will do legal research and writing and support environmental advocacy for imperiled species and public lands. You report to a staff or senior attorney. The position is remote, full-time (40 hours per week) for ten weeks, and pays $19.61 per hour with overtime eligibility.

A typical day

You would spend most of your day doing legal research and writing for a staff or senior attorney in the Southwest program. Tasks may include drafting memos, reviewing documents, and supporting advocacy that draws on litigation, science, media, and grassroots organizing. The work is remote and full-time, 40 hours per week for ten weeks.

Who Center for Biological Diversity is looking for

• Current law student with strong legal research and writing skills, shown by a writing sample of no more than 10 pages that reflects your own legal analysis
• Interest in environmental law, conservation, and public lands in Arizona, New Mexico, or the Colorado Plateau
• Able to work full-time (40 hours per week) for ten weeks in Summer 2027 and to work remotely
• Comfortable supporting attorneys and advocacy work that draws on litigation, science, media, and grassroots organizing

Tips for this application

• Submit all five required items: cover letter, resume, writing sample (no more than 10 pages and your own legal analysis), unofficial transcript, and a list of three references.
• Use the cover letter to explain your interest in clerking specifically in the Center's Southwest program, not just environmental law in general.
• Pick a writing sample that is no more than 10 pages and clearly shows your own legal analysis, such as a memo or brief excerpt.
• Apply through the Center's website as instructed; do not send materials by email unless the posting says otherwise.
• Note in your materials that you can work full-time for ten weeks in Summer 2027, and mention any connection to Arizona, New Mexico, or the Colorado Plateau.

What to cover in your cover letter

["Why you want to clerk in the Center's Southwest program specifically, including any ties to Arizona, New Mexico, or Utah's Colorado Plateau.", 'Your legal research and writing experience, pointing to the writing sample you submit.', 'Your interest in protecting imperiled species and public lands through litigation, science, media, and grassroots organizing.', 'Your availability for a full-time, ten-week remote clerkship in Summer 2027 and your ability to work remotely.']

Research before applying

• Read the Center for Biological Diversity's Southwest program page and recent work on Arizona, New Mexico, and the Colorado Plateau.
• Look at the Center's litigation and advocacy on endangered species and public lands to understand the type of work the Southwest program does.
• Check the Center's website for how it combines litigation, science, media, and grassroots organizing.
• Confirm application instructions and deadlines on the Center's website, including the required writing sample length and reference list.

Likely interview topics

Based on the job description, expect questions about:

• Your legal research and writing process, based on the writing sample you submitted.
• How you would support a staff or senior attorney on Southwest program matters involving imperiled species and public lands.
• Your familiarity with environmental and conservation law issues in Arizona, New Mexico, or the Colorado Plateau.
• How you handle remote work and full-time hours (40 per week) for a ten-week temporary clerkship.
• Why you want to work at the Center for Biological Diversity and how its approach (litigation, science, media, grassroots organizing) fits your goals.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Submitting a writing sample longer than 10 pages or one that does not reflect your own legal analysis.
• Sending a generic cover letter that does not mention the Southwest program or the specific region.
• Leaving out required materials such as the transcript, reference list, or writing sample.
• Applying without confirming you can work full-time (40 hours per week) for ten weeks in Summer 2027.