Associate Attorney, Sustainable Food & Farming

Earthjustice seeks an Associate Attorney to join our Sustainable Food and Farming Program based in New York or Washington, D.C. The position requires 0-3 years of post-law-school legal experience. Earthjustice’s Sustainable Food & Farming Program (“SFF”) engages in litigation and advocacy to improve our nation’s food systems, from crop selection and farming practices to food processing and sustainability. Working in partnership with communities, advocacy groups, scientists, and others, we fight for safe and healthy food, climate-friendly farming, and justice throughout the chain. We take on cases with regional and national scope. Earthjustice is the nation’s leading environmental law organization. Wielding the power of law, Earthjustice partners with our clients to take on the most critical fights of our time — fights to protect the incredible biodiversity and wild places of the planet; to avert climate disaster by transitioning society away from fossil fuels toward clean energy; and to safeguard the right of all people to a healthy environment. We are here because the earth needs a good lawyer.

Founded in 1971, Earthjustice has a distinguished track record of achieving significant, lasting environmental protections. We achieve this by hiring people who share a passion for justice and a healthy environment. Our headquarters are in San Francisco with offices in Anchorage, Bozeman, Chicago, Denver, Honolulu, Houston, Juneau, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, Seattle, Tallahassee and Washington, D.C. The Associate Attorney position is a three-year position with the potential for extension, designed to help attorneys who are in the early stages of their careers to develop into thoughtful, professional, and effective advocates skilled in the various phases of public interest litigation.

As Associate Attorneys gain experience, they gradually take on more independent responsibility for their cases but work throughout their tenure under the supervision of Senior Attorneys, Deputy Managing Attorneys, or the Managing Attorney. Many Associates have gone on to other positions within Earthjustice and with other public interest organizations. This is a hybrid position based in our New York or Washington, D.C. office and requires regular in-person attendance at least two days per week.

Responsibilities:

Associate Attorneys perform a range of litigation and advocacy-related tasks that can include:

• Conducting legal and factual research.
• Reviewing and analyzing administrative records and technical documents.
• Drafting motions, briefs, and other legal and factual documents in support of litigation and administrative advocacy.
• Participating in proceedings before federal and state courts and agencies.
• Cultivating relationships with clients, experts, allies, and coalition partners.
• Integrating media and legislative advocacy into litigation and other legal strategies.
• Hiring and supervising law students as Earthjustice interns or clerks.

Required Qualifications:

• Law school graduate, with 0-3 years of legal experience and admitted to, or willing and eligible to apply for admission to, the New York, NY or Washington, D.C. Bar.
• Excellent research, analytic, writing, and communication skills.
• Strong and demonstrated work ethic, good judgment, initiative, and creativity.
• Strong desire to fight for the right of all to a healthy environment.
• Ability to work well independently and in a team-oriented atmosphere.
• Commitment to serving the public interest and a passion for the role of Earthjustice and its mission.
• Demonstrated awareness and sensitivity to the needs and concerns of individuals from diverse cultures, backgrounds, and orientations.
• Ability and desire to contribute to the creation of a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work culture that encourages and celebrates differences.
• High level of emotional intelligence and excellent interpersonal skills.

We offer a mission- and employee-focused work environment and a competitive compensation package, including excellent benefits. Earthjustice is an equal opportunity employer and highly values diversity. As a 501(c)(3) organization, Earthjustice is a qualifying employer for purposes of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program. Salary depends on experience and location.Salary range in NYC: $110,500-$123,300Salary range in Washington, DC: $105,000 - $117,100

To Apply:

Interested applicants should submit the following via Jobvite:

• Resume.
• Cover letter that addresses: 1) your interest in serving as an associate attorney at Earthjustice; (2) why you are drawn to the Sustainable Food and Farming program’s mission and whether there are particular legal, environmental, or social justice issues that inspire you; and (3) aspects of your background that demonstrate the relevant skills and qualifications for the position, as well as competence to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in work with clients and colleagues. Also, please include the earliest date you would be available to begin work.
• Writing sample, preferably a legal brief or memorandum containing legal analysis. Please include a cover sheet explaining the extent of any editing by someone else, and any other details about the writing sample that you believe Earthjustice will find helpful.
• Law school transcript.

Anticipated 2026 JD Graduates are welcome to apply.

For this position, we are looking to hire a candidate who is available to start in June or September 2026. Preference will be given to candidates who apply by January 11, 2026. After that, applications may be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Earthjustice brings our associate attorneys on board on a quarterly schedule, during the months of January, April, June, and September. Please reach out to jobs@earthjustice.org if you are having technical difficulties submitting your application. No phone calls, drop-ins, or hard copies.

Earthjustice is driven by a passion for justice, partnership, inclusion and excellence. Our core values lead us to seek a broad range of perspectives and backgrounds to achieve our mission and to maintain an inclusive environment where all staff are valued and respected. As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to employment practices that ensure that employees and applicants for employment are given equal opportunities without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information or any other factor specified under applicable laws that is not related to the position. For positions located within the City and County of San Francisco: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. For positions located within the City of Los Angeles: We will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring. #LI-Hybrid

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