Staff Attorney

Opportunity

Advocates for the West seeks a Staff Attorney with 2 to 5 years of legal experience post-law school to join our talented team working to protect the American West through strategic litigation and legal advocacy.

About Advocates for the West

Advocates for the West is a non-profit public interest environmental law firm headquartered in Boise, Idaho, with offices and staff in Oregon, Montana, Washington, and Colorado. Founded in 2003, we provide free legal counseling and representation to a wide array of conservation groups, Native American Tribes, and individuals, primarily in federal court litigation.

We work in eleven western states, handling dozens of cases each year with an overall 85% success rate. Our current docket is focused on fighting degradation of public lands; protecting wildlife and wildlife habitat; saving imperiled salmon, steelhead, and other fish; defending special places and their important and unique ecosystems; protecting communities from mining and pollution; and promoting transparency in Government decision-making.

Learn more about our work and organization at www.advocateswest.org.

Position Description and Responsibilities

The Staff Attorney will initially support our existing cases but over the longer term, the Staff Attorney will be expected to develop a portfolio of new cases in conjunction with our legal team and key clients/partners.

Legal (90%)

• Support successful prosecution of public interest environmental litigation, including litigation tasks ranging from research, drafting pleadings and briefs, and presenting oral arguments.

• Participate in development of new cases, fostering client relationships, and setting legal strategies.

• Perform other associated tasks such as Freedom of Information Act requests, administrative appeals, counseling clients, and working with scientific experts.

Development, Outreach, and Communications (5%)

• Provide case updates and written content for fundraising and communication efforts.

• Participate in events, donor cultivation, public presentations, and media outreach.

Other (5%)

• Attend staff meetings, retreats, and trainings, and participate on committees.

• Perform other required administrative tasks.

Desired Qualifications and Skills

Advocates for the West seeks a Staff Attorney with broad knowledge of federal environmental laws and federal court procedures, and from 2 to 5 years of relevant legal experience post-law school. Advocates for the West may consider candidates with more than 5 years of post-law school experience but will not consider candidates with less than 2 years of post-law school experience.

The attorney must have a J.D. and be (or become) admitted to a state bar(s) in one of the eleven western states. Applicants should be comfortable working independently and as part of a team, and have excellent litigation skills, including legal research, writing, and oral advocacy skills. Applicants with demonstrated commitment to environmental protection are preferred.

Advocates for the West is committed to promoting diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice both in the workplace and in our relationships with clients and partners in the communities we serve. We encourage people from underrepresented backgrounds to apply. Advocates for the West is committed to providing equal employment opportunities without regard to race, ethnicity, national origin, age, gender identity, sex, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, marital status, pregnancy, medical condition, veteran status, region, and socioeconomic background.

Location

The position is preferably based in one of our existing offices with legal staff members (Boise, ID; Portland or Bend, OR; Missoula, MT; or Seattle, WA), although we will consider remote work options.

Advocates for the West offers a competitive compensation package and flexible work environment. The starting salary range for this full-time position is $90,000 to $110,000, (for someone with 2 to 5 years of post-law school experience) depending on experience. We also offer discretionary annual bonus and employer retirement plan contributions. Benefits include medical, vision, and dental insurance, disability insurance, pre-tax medical savings plan, and generous vacation and leave policies, plus a sabbatical program after seven years’ employment. All Advocates for the West employees have access to professional development opportunities relevant to their position and career goals.