Earthjustice seeks an Associate Attorney to join the Toxic Exposure & Health Program The attorney will collaborate with litigators, policy experts, communications teams, and scientists to advance a visionary legal advocacy program that seeks to protect people—especially those who are most exposed to chemicals or susceptible to harm—from the most urgent health threats posed by toxic chemical exposures and to place environmental justice and science at the center of U.S. chemicals policy.
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; 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. Our headquarters are in San Francisco with offices in Anchorage, Bozeman, Chicago, Denver, Honolulu, Houston, Juneau, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, Seattle, Tallahassee and Washington, D.C.
The work of the Toxic Exposure & Health Program is at the heart of Earthjustice’s mission to defend the right of all people to live, work, and raise children in a healthy environment. Exposure to toxic chemicals is linked to chronic diseases and health conditions, many of which are on the rise as toxic exposures have increased. The goal of the Toxic Exposure & Health Program is to use litigation and other legal advocacy to ensure that all people have safe workplaces and neighborhoods, access to safe drinking water and food, and live in homes that are free of hazardous chemicals. In recent years, attorneys doing this work have won a groundbreaking lawsuit in a Federal Appeals Court that bars the Environmental Protection Agency from attempting to meet its obligations under the Toxic Substances Control Act by simply nodding to the existence of other environmental statutes; defending against efforts to roll back PFAS limits for drinking water; and in concert with partners successfully engineering the passage and Governor’s signature of a ban on the sale of menstrual products containing intentionally added PFAS, lead, mercury, and other toxics.
The Associate Attorney position is a three-year position with the opportunity for extension. Many Associates have gone on to other more senior positions within Earthjustice or have joined other public interest organizations. The Associate Attorney program is designed to help attorneys who are in the early stages of their careers to develop into thoughtful, professional, and effective advocates skilled in the various phases of public interest litigation.
The attorney selected for this position will have the opportunity to play a key role in legal actions that can make a real difference to people’s health and well-being, and in the protection of important environmental values.
This is a hybrid position based in our Washington DC or New York, NY office and requires regular in-person attendance.
Associate Attorneys perform a range of work, in partnership with senior attorneys and professional staff, to investigate, develop, and prosecute administrative appeals and litigation, including: factual investigation, legal research, case development, record review, client engagement and development, expert evidence and witness development, motions practice and brief writing, oral advocacy, and appellate advocacy.
As Associate Attorneys gain experience, their case load may include cases for which they have primary responsibility under the supervision of a senior attorney, in addition to matters on which they work in a supporting role with senior attorneys. Specific responsibilities include:
Participate in the full range of tasks involved in complex litigation, including factual investigation, legal research and memo writing, drafting pleadings and briefs, and oral advocacy.
Develop and engage in other forms of legal advocacy, including drafting rulemaking petitions, comments to agencies, letters, fact sheets, and other materials; analyzing or drafting proposed legislation; and participating in meetings with clients, coalition partners, and agency staff.
Represent Earthjustice in meetings with clients, partners, co-counsel, opposing counsel, technical experts, and agency staff.
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.
Compensation is based on experience and location.
Salary range in New York, NY: $114,800– $123,300
Salary range in Washington, DC: $109,100 - $117,100
Interested applicants should submit via Jobvite:
Applications from candidates graduating from law school in 2026 will not be considered.
We seek a candidate available to start by September 2026 Applications must be received by June 7, 2026 Earthjustice typically brings our associate attorneys on board on a quarterly schedule, during the months of January, April, June and September.
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 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 that is not related to the position.
