Application Guide

How to Apply for Wendy Jacobs Legal Fellow

at Clean Air Task Force

🏢 About Clean Air Task Force

Clean Air Task Force is unique for its pragmatic, technology-agnostic approach to climate solutions, focusing on rapid deployment of low-carbon technologies rather than ideological positions. The organization works at the intersection of policy, science, and law to drive systemic change, making it ideal for those who want to see tangible impact from their legal work. CATF's remote-first structure allows for collaboration with experts nationwide while maintaining flexibility.

About This Role

The Wendy Jacobs Legal Fellow will support CATF's advocacy through legal research, drafting regulatory comments and litigation documents, and collaborating with technical experts on climate policy. This role is impactful because it directly shapes how environmental regulations are implemented and challenged, particularly around the Clean Air Act and emerging energy technologies. The fellow will gain hands-on experience at the forefront of climate law while working alongside senior attorneys.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve researching recent EPA rulemakings on methane emissions, drafting sections of regulatory comments with input from CATF's technical experts, and participating in virtual meetings with partner organizations to coordinate advocacy strategies. You could spend the afternoon analyzing case law for potential litigation support and preparing memos on administrative law procedures for upcoming regulatory interventions.

🚀 Application Tools

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who Clean Air Task Force Is Looking For

  • Recent law graduate (0-2 years experience) with a JD and active bar license (or taking bar in summer 2026), ideally with litigation exposure or clerkship background
  • Demonstrated expertise in environmental/administrative law through coursework or experience, with specific knowledge of Clean Air Act mechanisms and regulatory processes
  • Exceptional legal writer who can translate complex technical information into persuasive arguments for regulatory filings and potential litigation
  • Collaborative self-starter comfortable working remotely with scientists, policy experts, and partner organizations on multidisciplinary climate solutions

📝 Tips for Applying to Clean Air Task Force

1

Highlight any experience with administrative law procedures (notice-and-comment rulemaking, petitions for review) or Clean Air Act provisions in your resume

2

Include a writing sample that demonstrates regulatory analysis or persuasive legal writing, ideally related to environmental or energy topics

3

Research CATF's current advocacy priorities (like carbon capture, hydrogen, or methane regulations) and mention specific projects in your materials

4

Emphasize remote collaboration skills and experience working across disciplines with technical experts

5

Address your bar status clearly - if taking summer 2026 bar, explain your plan and timeline

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Specific examples of your environmental/administrative law experience, especially with Clean Air Act or regulatory processes', 'Demonstrated ability to translate technical information into legal arguments (mention relevant coursework or projects)', "Why CATF's technology-agnostic, deployment-focused approach aligns with your climate advocacy philosophy", 'How your research and writing skills would contribute to their regulatory comment and litigation support work']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → CATF's current regulatory interventions and litigation (check their website for recent comments, petitions, or amicus briefs)
  • → Their specific technology focus areas (superhot rock geothermal, zero-carbon fuels, carbon management) and how legal work supports these
  • → The Wendy Jacobs fellowship namesake and her contributions to environmental law
  • → Recent EPA rulemakings or court cases where CATF has been involved, particularly around Clean Air Act implementation

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Walk through your experience analyzing a complex environmental regulation or statute (like a Clean Air Act provision)
2 How would you approach drafting comments on a proposed EPA rule about [specific CATF priority like methane emissions or carbon capture]?
3 Describe a time you had to collaborate with non-legal experts on a technical project and how you communicated legal concepts
4 What do you see as the biggest legal barriers to rapid deployment of low-carbon technologies, and how might CATF address them?
5 How do you stay organized and productive in a remote work environment while managing multiple research projects?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Generic climate advocacy statements without showing understanding of CATF's specific technology-focused approach
  • Failing to demonstrate concrete legal research/writing skills or Clean Air Act knowledge
  • Not addressing how you'll work effectively in a remote, collaborative environment with technical experts

📅 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 Clean Air Task Force!

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