Application Guide
How to Apply for Staff Attorney, Fossil Economy
at Center for International Environmental Law
🏢 About Center for International Environmental Law
The Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) uniquely harnesses legal power specifically for environmental protection and sustainability, operating at the intersection of law, policy, and advocacy. Unlike traditional law firms, CIEL focuses on strategic litigation and legal analysis to drive systemic change against environmental harms, making it ideal for attorneys seeking mission-driven impact over corporate practice.
About This Role
This Staff Attorney role focuses on confronting petrochemical pollution and false solutions by analyzing regulatory frameworks (environmental, financial, trade) and drafting legal documents for permit challenges and administrative proceedings. It's impactful because it directly combats fossil fuel industry practices through legal strategy, coalition work, and public advocacy, contributing to CIEL's broader movement goals.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might involve researching emerging EU regulations on plastic production, drafting legal comments for a US petrochemical permit challenge, and collaborating with coalition partners via video call to strategize on a joint advocacy campaign. This could alternate with writing briefings for media or preparing for a public hearing on false solutions.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Center for International Environmental Law Is Looking For
- A J.D. holder with 2+ years of experience in environmental, administrative, or regulatory law, particularly involving permit challenges or notice-and-comment processes.
- Someone proficient in US law with working knowledge of EU legal systems, capable of quickly analyzing new frameworks like financial or trade regulations related to petrochemicals.
- A clear, concise legal writer who can draft submissions, reports, and briefings for both legal audiences and movement partners/media.
- A collaborative advocate comfortable representing CIEL in coalitions, hearings, and press events, with flexibility for occasional 2-week travel.
📝 Tips for Applying to Center for International Environmental Law
Highlight specific experience with US environmental regulatory frameworks (e.g., Clean Air Act, NEPA) and any exposure to EU law, as this is explicitly required.
Showcase writing samples that demonstrate ability to draft legal documents for administrative proceedings (e.g., permit challenges, comment submissions) and adapt tone for reports/briefings.
Emphasize experience working in coalitions or with movement partners, as the role involves representing CIEL in collaborative advocacy settings.
Tailor your resume to include keywords like 'petrochemical pollution,' 'false solutions,' 'regulatory analysis,' and 'administrative proceedings' from the job description.
If you have contract-based legal experience, highlight it, as this is a contract role requiring adaptability and project-focused work.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
["Demonstrate specific knowledge of CIEL's work on petrochemicals/fossil fuels (e.g., mention a recent campaign or report) and explain why their legal approach aligns with your goals.", "Detail your experience with regulatory frameworks and legal drafting, providing concrete examples (e.g., 'I drafted a comment for an EPA rulemaking on...').", "Explain your ability to navigate both US and EU legal systems, and how you've quickly learned new regulatory areas in past roles.", "Express your commitment to movement-based advocacy and experience in coalitions or public representation, tying it to CIEL's collaborative model."]
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Review CIEL's recent reports and campaigns on petrochemicals, fossil fuels, and 'false solutions' (e.g., carbon capture, offsets) to understand their strategic focus.
- → Study CIEL's organizational structure and advocacy model (e.g., how they use law in coalitions like the Break Free From Plastic movement).
- → Familiarize yourself with key US regulatory frameworks mentioned (e.g., environmental laws, financial regulations) and EU legal trends affecting petrochemicals.
- → Look into CIEL's remote work culture and contract-based projects to assess fit for a distributed, mission-driven team.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Submitting generic application materials without tailoring to CIEL's focus on petrochemicals, regulatory analysis, and movement advocacy.
- Overemphasizing litigation experience without highlighting regulatory/administrative law skills (e.g., permit challenges, notice-and-comment).
- Failing to demonstrate knowledge of both US and EU legal contexts or inability to discuss CIEL's specific work in the cover letter or interview.
📅 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 Center for International Environmental Law!