Climate Litigation Counsel

The Climate Science Legal Defense Fund (CSLDF) protects the scientific endeavor by putting its legal expertise to work for scientists who are threatened or silenced due to their findings or fields of study. Our work preserves and expands scientists’ rights and strengthens the legal protections that promote scientific integrity.

CSLDF is expanding its work to support and defend scientists who are involved in climate litigation, or who are conducting research that may ultimately be involved in climate litigation. This new role will serve scientists and expert witnesses as they navigate a contentious and shifting legal landscape.

About the Role:

CSLDF is hiring an attorney with 3-5 years of litigation experience. This attorney will advise and help defend expert witnesses, advisors, and other scientists whose expertise or research is or may be relevant to climate litigation. This role will be flexible, adapting to the needs that arise. We expect the role to potentially include:

• Advising expert witnesses, advisors, and scientists considering a role in climate litigation, as well as scientists generally conducting research in this space
• Preparing and providing legal education materials and trainings for potential expert witnesses, advisors, and the scientific community more broadly
• Defending scientists in discovery and trial proceedings
• Preparing experts for depositions and trials
• Supporting scientists with protective measures (such as establishing an LLC)

The attorney will help to develop CSLDF’s work in this area, which may include outreach to firms and advocacy organizations. We expect the attorney will work with co-counsel when representing experts.

Desired Skills & Credentials

• J.D. degree from accredited U.S. law school. (Equivalent such as L.L.M. degree may also be considered.)
• At least 3 years of post-law school legal experience, including demonstrated pre-trial and trial practice. Professional or educational experience with climate, environmental, and/or scientific issues is a plus.
• Strong verbal, writing, analytical, and organizational skills; ability to meet deadlines; work well individually and in partnership environment.
• An ability to be flexible, take initiative, and adapt to an evolving legal landscape.

Benefits include generous paid time off and flexible pre-tax benefits. Paid health, dental, and life insurance benefits also provided.

You can expect to be part of a team that will support you to learn and gain insights into the front lines of defending climate scientists.

Fluency in English