Staff Attorney

The Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC) is accepting applications for two Staff Attorney positions, one in our Nashville, Tennessee office and one in our Birmingham, Alabama office. These positions are open to attorneys with at least three years of relevant practice experience and offer flexible start dates. Applications are due by December 4, 2026. Applicants should indicate whether they are applying for the Nashville position, the Birmingham position, or both.

This is an excellent opportunity to join a highly successful, nationally recognized organization that is effectively addressing some of the most pressing and challenging environmental issues throughout the South and the nation.

Both positions are full-time and exempt. SELC has a hybrid work model that offers employees flexibility to work remotely up to two days per week. The selected candidates must reside in Tennessee or Alabama, depending on their office location. Relocation reimbursement is available for those moving to join us.

About the Positions

Staff Attorneys play a critical role in advancing SELC’s program objectives through litigation and legal advocacy, taking independent responsibility for specific matters and objectives. Staff Attorneys are experienced lawyers capable of carrying substantial litigation responsibility and solving complex problems, with the advice and oversight of Senior Attorneys and management.

Primary Responsibilities

• Provide excellent advocacy with superior written work product and oral presentation.
• Exercise independent initiative, identifying cases and advocacy opportunities and diligently implementing strategies that produce meaningful results.
• Litigate cases as part of litigation teams in state and federal courts, including oral advocacy, conducting legal research, drafting briefs and pleadings, preparing witnesses, developing factual records, discovery practice, and coordinating with clients and counsel.
• Advocate in administrative proceedings by researching and drafting comments, coordinating coalition partners and speaking at public meetings.
• Develop practice experience across SELC’s advocacy tools (litigation, lobbying, administrative advocacy, press and public communications).
• Cultivate strong relationships with SELC’s clients, partners and external stakeholders.
• Earn a positive reputation with decision makers and clients as a capable attorney and valued partner with significant expertise.
• Develop and maintain expertise in law and policy developments in one or more of SELC’s program areas and develop strategies to implement program objectives.
• Support SELC’s collegial and collaborative approach.
• Carry internal responsibility as part of the office, program teams, administration and development.
• Manage multidisciplinary projects, including developing and implementing work plans involving SELC’s communications and geospatial teams as well as consulting experts.
• Communicate clearly and simply about litigation and program work with SELC’s communications, development and marketing teams.
• Mentor junior attorneys and staff.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctorate degree and three or more years of post-law school practice experience.
• An active license to practice law, or willingness to seek admission to practice, in the state where hired.
• Strong commitment to SELC’s mission.
• Ability to handle litigation with a high degree of competence, effectiveness, integrity, professionalism, and sound strategic judgment.
• Excellent advocacy skills with superior written work product and oral presentation.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with an ability to build and maintain effective, collaborative relationships with clients, stakeholders, and environmental partners to advance organizational goals.
• Strong work ethic and sense of initiative, with demonstrated ability to meet internal and external deadlines and support SELC’s collegial and collaborative approach in all interactions.
• Intellectual curiosity and a learning and growth mindset.
• Ability to manage multiple assignments, communicate effectively with colleagues, and incorporate feedback.
• A genuine interest in and commitment to helping SELC create and foster an equitable and inclusive workplace that welcomes people from across the rich racial and cultural diversity of our region.

About SELC

The Southern Environmental Law Center is one of the nation’s most powerful defenders of the environment, rooted in the South. With a long track record, SELC takes on the toughest environmental challenges in court, in government, and in our communities to protect our region’s air, water, climate, wildlife, lands, and people. Nonprofit and nonpartisan, the organization has a staff of 250, including more than 160 legal and policy experts and advocates. Headquartered in Charlottesville, VA, SELC has offices in Asheville, Atlanta, Birmingham, Chapel Hill, Charleston, Nashville, Richmond, and Washington, DC.

At our core, we are place-based, rooted in our region, and connected with the communities and clients we serve. We believe in an equitable and inclusive workplace that welcomes people from across the rich racial and cultural diversity of our region and values diverse perspectives. We approach our work with the highest level of integrity, holding ourselves to high standards with an emphasis on honesty, accountability, and thoughtfulness. We value collaboration and camaraderie, realizing we are strongest when we work together and knowing that everyone has a critical role to play. We strive for impact through a strategic, bold, pragmatic, and ambitious outlook that is dedicated to achieving powerful results. We believe in these values and in the power of SELC. We hope you consider joining us. Learn more at www.selc.org.

SELC offers salaries competitive with other leading environmental nonprofits nationally and provides an excellent benefits package.

SELC is a Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) eligible employer.

SELC will also provide relocation reimbursement for those relocating for a SELC position, up to a specific dollar amount and contingent on the move being at least 50 miles from the current primary address.

For more details about our benefits package, please visit our Careers page.