Two-Year Legal Fellowship, Tribal Partnerships Program

Earthjustice seeks a two-year post-graduate legal fellow, beginning Fall 2026 to work in our Tribal Partnerships Program.

Earthjustice is the nation’s leading environmental law organization. Wielding the power of law, Earthjustice partners with our clients to take on the most critical fights of our time — fights to protect the incredible biodiversity and wild places of the planet; to avert climate disaster by transitioning society away from fossil fuels toward clean energy; and to safeguard the right of all people to a healthy environment. We are here because the earth needs a good lawyer.

Founded in 1971, Earthjustice has a distinguished track record of achieving significant, lasting environmental protections. We achieve this by hiring people who share a passion for justice and a healthy environment.

Earthjustice’s Tribal Partnerships Program uses the power of law to support Indigenous communities in efforts to safeguard the environment, cultural resources and Indigenous rights. We are committed to uplifting Indigenous voices in the environmental movement and supporting tribal sovereignty. We assist our clients by providing litigation, policy advocacy, and communications representation and support.

This two-year fellowship will be based in Washington, D.C., Seattle, WA, or Chicago IL, alongside Tribal Partnerships attorneys. Applicants must be available to begin the fellowship in Fall 2026.

Responsibilities:

During the course of the two-year fellowship, the Legal Fellow will work closely with Earthjustice attorneys, professional staff, policy and communications staff, and clients to develop and implement litigation and advocacy strategies. The Legal Fellow’s responsibilities may include:

• Conducting legal and factual research.
• Reviewing and analyzing administrative records and technical documents.
• Drafting motions, briefs, and other legal and factual documents in support of litigation and administrative advocacy.
• Participating in proceedings before federal and state courts and agencies.
• Cultivating relationships with clients, experts, allies, and coalition partners.
• Integrating media and legislative advocacy into litigation and other legal strategies.

Qualifications:

• Current 3L law students or recent graduates with no more than 2 years of experience. Applicants must be willing and eligible to apply for admission to the bar in the state where they are located.
• Strong preference for applicants with experience in Federal Indian law and/or working with Indigenous communities.
• Excellent research, analytic, writing, and communication skills.
• Strong and demonstrated work ethic, good judgment, initiative, and creativity.
• Strong desire to fight for the right of all to a healthy environment.
• Ability to work well independently and in a team-oriented atmosphere.
• Commitment to serving the public interest and a passion for the role of Earthjustice and its mission.
• Demonstrated awareness and sensitivity to the needs and concerns of individuals from diverse cultures, backgrounds, and orientations.
• Ability and desire to contribute to the creation of a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work culture that encourages and celebrates differences.
• High level of emotional intelligence and excellent interpersonal skills.

We offer a mission- and employee-focused work environment and a competitive compensation package, including excellent benefits. Earthjustice is an equal opportunity employer and highly values diversity. As a 501(c)(3) organization, Earthjustice is a qualifying employer for purposes of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program.

Salary depends on experience and location.

Salary range in Chicago, DC, Seattle: $105,000 - $113,100 annually

If You Are Acquiring Fellowship Funding:

Earthjustice ‘s Legal Fellowship is a paid position. Should the selected fellow choose to secure additional external funding, Earthjustice will supplement that compensation to align with our attorney pay scale, listed above. You are welcome to pursue outside funding. The ability to secure outside funding will not be considered as part of the hiring process.

To Apply:

Interested applicants should submit the following via Jobvite:

• Resume.
• Cover letter that addresses: 1) your interest in serving as a Legal Fellow with the Tribal Partnerships Program; (2) why you are drawn to Earthjustice’s mission and the Tribal Partnerships Program in particular; and (3) aspects of your background that demonstrate competence to work with Indigenous clients and communities.
• Writing sample, preferably a legal brief or memorandum containing legal analysis. Please include a cover sheet explaining the extent of any editing by someone else, and any other details about the writing sample that you believe Earthjustice will find helpful.
• Law school transcript.

For this position, we are looking to hire a candidate who is available to start in Fall 2026. Preference will be given to candidates who apply by March 29, 2026.

Please reach out to jobs@earthjustice.org if you are having technical difficulties submitting your application. No phone calls, drop-ins, or hard copies.

Earthjustice is driven by a passion for justice, partnership, inclusion and excellence. Our core values lead us to seek a broad range of perspectives and backgrounds to achieve our mission and to maintain an inclusive environment where all staff are valued and respected. As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to employment practices that ensure that employees and applicants for employment are given equal opportunities without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information or any other factor specified under applicable laws that is not related to the position.

For positions located within the City and County of San Francisco: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

For positions located within the City of Los Angeles: We will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring.