Staff Attorney

WHO WE ARE: The Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy has been the leading legal and scientific voice for Minnesota’s environment since 1974. To learn more about our history and programs, please visit mncenter.org. A nonprofit with offices in Saint Paul and Duluth, MCEA supports its employees through a commitment to a living wage, a good benefits package, and regular opportunities for professional growth and development. We value diversity, equity, an inclusive culture, and respect in the workplace.

POSITION SUMMARY: MCEA, the state’s leading public-interest environmental law firm, seeks an attorney with at least five years of experience to join our team of powerful, mission-driven, in-house litigators. The Staff Attorney will litigate in state and federal courts and administrative agencies and provide legal advice to MCEA and other clients. In addition to litigation, the Staff Attorney will assist with legislative and administrative advocacy, coordinate with outside pro bono counsel, law clerks, concerned citizens, and other advocacy organizations, work with the Legal Committee of MCEA’s Board, and provide assistance to MCEA’s leadership, development staff, and communications team.

The ideal candidate would be:

• Deeply committed to MCEA’s mission, vision, and values;
• Able to exercise sound judgment in their work, with the ability to balance working independently with adequate communication to the Legal Director;
• Capable of clear, logical, and focused analysis and synthesis of issues;
• An excellent communicator both orally and in writing;
• Aware of and sensitive to the needs and concerns of individuals from diverse cultures, backgrounds, and orientations; and
• Someone who works well on a mission-driven team.

Job Duties include but are not limited to:

• Working with the Legal Director and MCEA advocacy staff to serve MCEA’s legal needs, including developing advocacy strategies, analyzing potential cases, researching and developing legal theories, litigating, and providing day-to-day legal advice.
• Representing MCEA and other client organizations in administrative and court actions, with an anticipated emphasis on sulfide mining and climate advocacy before the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission.
• Engaging in legislative and administrative advocacy, including reviewing proposed legislation and rules, meeting with legislators and agency staff, and providing written and oral testimony.
• Managing a case load independently, including planning and implementing litigation and other advocacy strategies, meeting internal and external deadlines, using good time management and organizational skills, and meeting all professional obligations and office requirements.
• In conjunction with the Legal Director and communications staff, implementing appropriate media strategies for cases and other advocacy projects.
• In conjunction with the development staff, communicating with funders on matters of expertise.
• Fostering good working relationships with other advocacy organizations, academics, impacted communities, experts and others to help attain MCEA objectives.
• Staying abreast of emerging trends in environmental law and significant environmental cases.

EXPERIENCE:

Required

• J.D. degree and license to practice law in Minnesota (or ability to obtain Minnesota license) with experience in environmental, energy, mining, and/or natural resources law.
• Minimum five years’ relevant legal experience, including litigation experience.
• Excellent communication and analytic skills.
• Commitment to public interest environmental advocacy and environmental justice.
• Commitment to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace and culture that values differences.

Preferred

• Experience leading teams and litigation.
• Experience lobbying or engaging in the political process.
• Experience working on appellate cases.

REPORTS TO: This position reports to the Legal Director. This position can be based out of either our Duluth or St. Paul office.

MCEA will provide the successful candidate with competitive wages and benefits, including health, dental and vision insurance, free parking and public transportation support, 401K with match, a hybrid work environment with a full-time option to work 32-hours per week, professional development opportunities, and a collaborative, flexible and supportive work environment.

MCEA strives to create a mission-focused work environment that is equitable and inclusive. MCEA highly values diversity and is an equal opportunity employer. We are proud to support our employees through a range of strategies, including generous benefits for employees and dependents, and paid family leave