Application Guide
How to Apply for Staff Attorney, Environmental and Climate Justice
at Lawyers for Good Government
🏢 About Lawyers for Good Government
Lawyers for Good Government (L4GG) uniquely combines large-scale pro bono coordination with strategic advocacy to protect human rights and advance justice across immigration, climate, racial equity, voting rights, and government accountability. Working here means joining a mission-driven team that leverages legal expertise to defend vulnerable communities and hold government accountable, all within a fully remote, collaborative culture.
About This Role
As the Staff Attorney for Environmental and Climate Justice, you will lead the Fund Protection Clinic, providing critical legal guidance to over 700 grantees facing federal funding loss due to political or legal challenges. This role offers a direct impact on communities and sub-national governments by safeguarding resources for climate resilience and equitable policy solutions, while also managing pro bono attorneys and conducting high-stakes legal research.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might start with a check-in with pro bono teams on active grantee cases, followed by drafting a legal memo on a False Claims Act issue. You'll then host a virtual clinic for grantees facing funding freezes, and end the day by researching state-level climate policies to support sub-national government clients. Throughout, you'll coordinate with L4GG's advocacy team and respond to urgent inquiries from Congressional offices.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Lawyers for Good Government Is Looking For
- An attorney with 3+ years of experience specifically in environmental justice, energy, water, or climate law, including familiarity with federal funding mechanisms and administrative law.
- A proven project manager who can independently handle complex, fast-paced remote work, coordinating pro bono teams and multiple grantee cases simultaneously.
- A skilled communicator with excellent written and oral advocacy, capable of drafting legal memos, responding to Congressional inquiries, and explaining technical issues to non-legal stakeholders.
- Someone deeply committed to environmental and climate justice, with a track record of working alongside marginalized communities and understanding systemic inequities in funding access.
📝 Tips for Applying to Lawyers for Good Government
Tailor your resume to highlight any experience with federal grant programs, False Claims Act, or Inspector General investigations—these are directly relevant to the Fund Protection Clinic.
In your cover letter, explicitly name a specific environmental justice community or issue you've worked with, and connect it to L4GG's mission of protecting human rights through government accountability.
Demonstrate remote work competency by mentioning specific tools (e.g., Slack, Asana, Zoom) and examples of managing projects or teams virtually.
If you have pro bono coordination experience, emphasize it—L4GG values the ability to mobilize and supervise volunteer attorneys.
Research L4GG's current campaigns (e.g., climate funding defense) and reference them in your application to show genuine interest and alignment.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
['Your direct experience with environmental or climate justice legal work, especially involving federal funding or administrative law.', 'Your ability to manage high-volume, urgent cases and coordinate multiple stakeholders (grantees, pro bono attorneys, government agencies).', 'Your commitment to equity and working with marginalized communities, with concrete examples of past engagement.', "Your enthusiasm for L4GG's unique model of combining pro bono coordination with advocacy, and how your skills can advance their Fund Protection Clinic."]
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Review L4GG's website, especially the 'Our Work' section on Climate Justice and the Fund Protection Clinic detail.
- → Read recent blog posts or news about L4GG's involvement in defending climate funding (e.g., Inflation Reduction Act grants).
- → Look into L4GG's partner organizations and pro bono network to understand the ecosystem they operate in.
- → Check L4GG's social media (Twitter/LinkedIn) for updates on current campaigns and legal actions related to environmental justice.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Don't submit a generic application—failing to mention L4GG or the specific Fund Protection Clinic shows lack of interest.
- Avoid overemphasizing litigation experience if it's not related to environmental law or federal funding; this role is more about counseling and coordination.
- Don't ignore the remote work aspect—failing to address how you stay productive and connected remotely may raise concerns.
📅 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!
Ready to Apply?
Good luck with your application to Lawyers for Good Government!