Senior Attorney

The Center for Biological Diversity seeks a full-time senior attorney in New Mexico to launch and advance our state-level work on oil and gas production. This position is located in New Mexico.

General position overview:

The Climate Law Institute wages innovative legal and grassroots campaigns to protect people, wildlife and ecosystems from climate change and the fossil fuel industry. We work at every level, including international, federal, state, and local campaigns. We seek a senior attorney to lead our state-level work on oil and gas production in New Mexico. The senior attorney will develop and implement regulatory and legal interventions to help New Mexico phase out oil and gas production as science demands. The successful candidate will work closely with a dynamic team of legal, science, organizing, and communications staff, as well as colleagues at allied organizations to keep oil in the ground in New Mexico.

Main duties:

• Research and analyze the most effective legal and regulatory interventions on New Mexico oil and gas production. Work with our team and with allies to design and implement strong strategies to stop the growth of oil and gas production and begin a phase-out.  
• Track, monitor, and influence legislation and regulatory processes related New Mexico oil and gas production, including commenting on proposed rulemakings and preparing petitions for rulemaking.
• Develop and litigate cases addressing New Mexico oil and gas production.
•  Build and maintain an open line of communication with the state legislature and agencies with the goal of advancing our policy priorities—including through one-on-one and group meetings.
•  Build and maintain strong relationships with key allies and advocate to advance common goals, including measures to achieve justice and equity in the fossil fuel phase-out.
• In collaboration with the Senior Campaigner, build a strong state-level New Mexico program and presence to achieve our goals of keeping oil and gas in the ground.
• Prepare communications such as press releases, op-eds, fact sheets, and white papers, and respond to inquiries and interview requests from journalists.

 Essential qualities, qualifications and skills:

• Licensed to practice law in New Mexico and familiarity with New Mexico environmental and administrative law; candidates who wish to relocate to New Mexico and take the New Mexico bar will be considered.
• Minimum eight years environmental litigation experience.
• Excellent legal research, writing and oral advocacy skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage a litigation docket, including experience as lead attorney on cases.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with colleagues and organizations with a wide array of goals, perspectives, and backgrounds, including experience working with coalitions. Commitment to incorporating principles of justice, equity, and inclusion into all aspects of the work.
• A demonstrated ability to take initiative and think creatively about policy and strategic campaigning.  
• Demonstrated ability to successfully navigate challenges, including from a powerful and well-resourced opposition. 
• Strong organizational skills and an ability to succeed in a fast-paced environment with a full workload where it is necessary to balance multiple tasks and deadlines. 
• Interest in climate policy and biodiversity protection. 
• Willingness to travel when safe, at times on short notice.

Preferred qualifications, skills, and qualities:  

• Experience with New Mexico state environmental and administrative law, and well as federal environmental and administrative law.
• Existing relationships and experience working with organizations led by Black, Indigenous, and other people of color. We especially encourage candidates who hold first-hand experience or meaningful, trusted relationships with communities impacted by fossil fuel production and environmental racism. 
• Familiarity with the scientific literature on climate change.
• Experience with media outreach and interviews.

Benefits Package:

• Paid generous medical, dental, vision, disability and life insurance
• 403(b) plan with opportunity for employer matching
• Generous time-off policies
• Informal and collegial work atmosphere

Salary Range: $75,000-$105,000 DOE.

Application process:

Please apply online by submitting a cover letter, resume, writing sample and 3-5 references with your application. The position will remain open until filled. No telephone calls, please. Only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted.

The Center for Biological Diversity deeply values, and is committed to sustaining and promoting, both biological and cultural diversity. We welcome, embrace and respect diversity of people, identities and cultures. We are committed to fostering an organizational culture of diversity and inclusion. The Center believes staff and board diversity is critical to saving life on Earth.

We are an equal opportunity employer.