Senior Counsel for Environmental Justice

About Southern Coalition for Social Justice

Southern Coalition for Social Justice (SCSJ) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that was founded in August 2007 and works across the South. Our mission is to promote justice by partnering with communities of color and economically disadvantaged communities to defend and advance their political, social, and economic rights. SCSJ’s focus areas are community-driven, and currently include voting rights, justice system reform, and environmental justice. Our model of practice requires team members who work well with grassroots organizations and in collaboration with other civil rights groups, and who have deep passion for and commitment to fighting for inclusive political participation.

For more information about our work and our unique community lawyering approach, visit our website at www.scsj.org.

SCSJ's Environmental Justice Vision and Framework

The Environmental Justice (EJ) program uses a community-based lawyering approach to redress environmental injustices throughout the South. SCSJ’s EJ program advocates for and empowers environmental justice communities through community legal education, strategic counseling, and litigation on a wide range of issues including zoning and land use, air and water pollution, energy equity, and climate change resilience. The EJ program’s work will often overlap with that of the Voting Rights and Justice System Reform program areas.

Position Summary 

The Senior Counsel for Environmental Justice will litigate cases, develop case strategies, advise clients, and work with state and federal policymakers to improve environmental justice outcomes across the South.

Responsibilities Include

• Litigating cases in state and federal courts, including developing and implementing case strategy, conducting legal and factfinding research, drafting pleadings, briefs, and other documents, conducting discovery and depositions, and representing clients in court and administrative proceedings.
• Meeting with clients to ensure program projects and priorities are consistently responsive to community-driven need.
• Managing multidisciplinary matters, including developing and implementing project plans involving SCSJ’s research and communications teams.
• Building SCSJ’s Environmental Justice program by remedying legacy pollution/contamination harms, addressing zoning & land use issues, promoting energy equity, and advancing climate justice & resilience.
• Attending community events and conferences related to environmental justice.
• Supporting partner organizations and community-led coalitions.

Required Qualifications 

• Extensive experience serving as the primary attorney at all stages of litigation
• Strong writing and communication skills
• Effective settlement negotiation experience
• Excellent client relationship skills
• Strong affinity and capability for mentoring newer attorneys
• Ability to work independently with a strong work ethic and sense of initiative
• A vision for the continued growth of SCSJ’s Environmental Justice program
• An unwavering commitment to SCSJ’s mission and community-based lawyering model
• Demonstrated commitment to social justice, civil rights, and/or environmental justice work.
• Admitted or eligible for admission to practice law in at least one state in SCSJ’s service region

Additional Preferred Qualifications

• In-depth familiarity with state and/or federal environmental statutes, regulatory implementation, and litigation experience in one or more of the following subject areas:
  • Clean air permitting and enforcement
  • Water quality and/or water rights law
  • Utilities Commission proceedings and/or clean energy topics
  • Tribal sovereignty issues and indigenous rights
  • Landfills regulation
  • Solid and hazardous waste
  • Community land preservation
  • Civil rights litigation
  • Common law torts
• Facility with e-discovery
• Demonstrated ability to build trusted relationships with marginalized communities and establish connections to community-led coalitions
• Spanish or other second language proficiency is a plus.

Duration and Start Date

This is a full-time position. Starting dates are negotiable. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled but applicants are encouraged to submit applications by October 16, 2026.

Salary and Benefits 

The salary for this position is $100,000 per year plus a competitive benefits package which includes comprehensive health and retirement plans.

Location

SCSJ’s physical office is in Durham, North Carolina. SCSJ is a hybrid work environment; staff are expected to work in our Durham office every Wednesday plus an additional day of their team’s choosing with remote flexibility on the other three days of the week. This position involves occasional travel throughout North Carolina and regionally in the South.

Diversity and Inclusion Statement

SCSJ is committed to a policy of equal employment opportunity for all persons without regard to race, color, creed, sex, religion, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, political affiliation, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, personal appearance, marital or family status, citizenship, past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, genetic information, natural hair styles, or other status as protected by State and Federal laws. It is our intention to promote the full realization of equality in opportunity and employment.

A Note to Historically Marginalized Job Candidates

Research has shown women, nonbinary individuals, people of color and other historically marginalized individuals often refrain from applying for positions unless they believe they fulfill each and every requirement outlined in a job description. However, it's crucial to recognize that meeting every criterion is seldom a reality for any applicant. Our commitment lies in cultivating a diverse and inclusive environment and prioritizing finding the most suitable candidate for the role — who we know may emerge from a less conventional background. We wholeheartedly urge you to submit your application, even if you feel you don't perfectly align with every specification outlined.

To Apply

Candidates must upload a resume, cover letter, and writing sample (in one file if possible) through the application portal. Please label each submission with your first and last name. Please do not contact SCSJ team members directly.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, but applicants are encouraged to submit applications by October 16, 2026.