| Company Intro |
| NRDC (the Natural Resources Defense Council) works to safeguard the Earth, its people, its plants and animals, and the natural systems on which all life depends. NRDC combines the power of more than 3 million members and online activists with the expertise of some 800 policy advocates, lawyers, scientists, and communication experts to confront the climate crisis, protect nature, ensure the rights of all people to clean air, clean water, and healthy communities. As an international nonprofit environmental organization, NRDC is working to address the world’s most urgent environmental challenges, and advance innovative, science-based, and enforceable solutions. Since our founding in 1970, NRDC has helped craft and deliver many of America’s foundational environmental laws, including the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act and Safe Drinking Water Act. Today, we continue to lead in advancing and defending strong environmental protections at the local, state, federal and international levels, as well as through the marketplace. Our team works across the United States and around the world, from offices in Chicago, Los Angeles, New York City, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C., as well as in Beijing, and New Delhi (a subsidiary of NRDC India Pvt. Ltd.). Supported by our members and online activists, NRDC is driving impactful solutions that confront the climate crisis, defend nature and safeguard public health across Asia, Africa, and the Americas. At NRDC, we believe lasting change happens when people bring their talent, passion, and expertise together for a common purpose: to build a cleaner, healthier, and more resilient world. Learn more at nrdc.org NRDC is seeking an Attorney to work with the Litigation Team in any one of our U.S.-based offices. |
| Job Description/Duties |
| The Attorney litigates cases on behalf of NRDC and outside partners, with the ability to lead record-review cases in federal or state trial or appellate courts with limited oversight by a Senior Attorney. This role also entails participating in other Team-development or institutional work. The position is based in one of NRDC’s main U.S. offices: New York, Washington D.C., Chicago, San Francisco, or Santa Monica, with a preference for candidates located in Santa Monica. This position is part of the bargaining unit represented by The Washington Baltimore News Guild (WBNG / The Newsguild-CWA Local 32035). Responsibilities To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the following essential functions: Active litigation (~85-90%) Litigate cases on behalf of NRDC and its partners, including leading record-review cases, drafting complaints and briefs, conducting legal research, and negotiating with opposing counsel, with limited oversight by a Senior Attorney. Develop or hone oral argument and other court presentation skills, with oversight by a Senior Attorney. Work within a case team to litigate complex cases, including discovery cases that may go to trial, with substantial oversight by a Senior Attorney. Develop client, co-counsel, and coalition relationships within NRDC and with outside partners. Research and act as a team-wide resource, as needed, on cross-cutting litigation issues. Other team collaboration or institutional engagement (~10-15%) Oversee and mentor the work of legal interns, paralegals, and more junior attorneys on specific assignments, including by giving timely feedback and helping with project management. Contribute to the Team and NRDC’s litigation capacity in other ways, such as by serving on institutional committees, presenting trainings, drafting guidance documents, building relationships with other components of NRDC and allied groups, and engaging in development outreach. The above list of duties is not comprehensive but generally demonstrates the types of matters under this position’s responsibility. Other duties may be assigned. |
| Job Criteria |
| Required Juris Doctorate degree. Admission to the state bar in the jurisdiction in which the applicant intends to practice, or a willingness to complete the requirements for admission to that bar before or during the first year of employment with NRDC. (NRDC covers a portion of any necessary bar exam and bar preparation expenses.) Minimum 3 to 8 years of post-law school experience, including active litigation experience, with at least 4 years of post-law school experience preferred. Skills, Abilities, Competencies Demonstrated competency in working with people with different social identities than the applicant’s own (including race, gender, sexual identity or orientation, age, class, and disability). A strong conceptual and practical knowledge of litigation processes. Excellent legal writing, research, and analytical skills. Ability to lead medium-complexity cases, including record-review cases, with limited oversight from a Senior Attorney, overseeing all aspects of the case. Ability to participate in and contribute to discovery cases and cases that go to trial. Knowledge of environmental and/or administrative law and issues of federal practice. Ability to mentor and support less experienced staff, build collaborative and respectful relationships within the Team and across NRDC, and foster a culture of dignity and belonging. Ability to travel occasionally to other NRDC U.S. offices, and attend court hearings and other case-related meetings, as appropriate (5-15% of total working time annually). Demonstrated commitment to public service, equity, or social justice. Commitment to NRDC’s values and mission. PHYSICAL DEMANDS The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position within the described work environment. Frequently: Perform desk-based computer tasks Frequently: Ability to interact and communicate with employees and others as necessary Frequently: Attend planned meetings and collaborate with management and coworkers Occasionally: Ability to attend events and activities in the office or offsite Work may sometimes be performed at home but requires significant time in the office. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet in office settings and moderate in other situations. Hours of employment may sometimes require working flexible and/or longer hours, including nights and weekends, when necessitated by projects. The job includes work-related situations such as those involving challenging, important, urgent, time-sensitive, or multiple matters. |
| Salary Range/Hourly Rate |
| the salary range is $124,000 to $140,000 |
| Other Benefits and Perks |
| We offer competitive salaries, excellent benefits (https://www.nrdc.org/careers#benefits), and a supportive working environment. Salary is based on a nonprofit scale and is commensurate with skills and experience. Internal equity will be reviewed and considered to determine a final offer. For this position, the salary range is $124,000 to $140,000. NRDC operates under a hybrid work model. Employees are required to come to the office 8 days per month. |
Job Category: Environmental Litigation
Job Type: Full Time
Job Location: New York San Francisco Washington D.C. Chicago Santa Monica (preference for candidates located here)