Senior Attorney

Overview

This role involves serving as a Senior Attorney, engaging in legal advocacy and developing and litigating cases under federal environmental and natural resources law to advance conservation policies that protect biological diversity.

The Senior Attorney is an experienced litigator and senior member of the legal team, supervising staff attorneys, legal fellows, and law clerks, and advising organization staff on legal questions and legislative matters.

Responsibilities

• Develop innovative litigation strategies and litigate cases to protect imperiled wildlife and habitats under the Endangered Species Act, National Environmental Policy Act, Clean Water Act, National Forest Management Act, Administrative Procedure Act, Freedom of Information Act, and other relevant federal and state wildlife, public lands, and natural resource statutes.
• Collaborate across law, science, policy, and communications to support legal advocacy, including drafting comment letters and speaking at public hearings.
• Advise organization staff on legal questions and legislative matters.
• Supervise and mentor staff attorneys, legal fellows, and law clerks in the Conservation Law department.
• Coordinate across departments to generate written products that advance conservation work, including comment letters, blog posts, op-eds, and presentations.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• JD required.
• Appropriate state bar license(s) required.
• 10 years of relevant experience.
• 5 years of supervisory experience.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be accepted as a satisfactory substitute for the specific education and experience listed above.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Substantial knowledge of the Endangered Species Act, National Environmental Policy Act, and other federal natural resources, public lands, and wildlife conservation laws, including related regulations and policies.
• Substantial knowledge of the Freedom of Information Act.
• Substantial knowledge of the Federal Rules of Civil and Appellate Procedure, the Administrative Procedure Act, and legal doctrines such as standing, ripeness/mootness, and standards of review applicable to reviews of agency actions and agency rulemakings.
• Substantial experience reviewing and commenting on draft permits, draft regulations, draft environmental impact analyses, and other actions subject to notice and comment.
• Substantial experience litigating in federal district and appellate courts, including reviewing administrative records, drafting declarations, pleadings, and motions, and participating in oral argument.
• Excellent research and writing skills, with a demonstrated ability to quickly and accurately analyze legislative and administrative proposals and critique them in a way that is readily understood by others.
• Strong media and communications skills, including the ability to advocate persuasively for conservation policy in a range of public speaking venues.
• Demonstrated commitment to public interest advocacy, environmental protection, and natural resources conservation.
• Ability to work effectively in a team and independently, with strong coordination, interpersonal, and organizational skills.

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary: $160,000 - $180,000
• FLSA: Exempt

Location

Denver, CO, Washington, D.C., Remote

Physical Activities, Environmental Conditions, and Physical Demands

Physical Activities

• Ascending or descending ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, poles and the like (N)
• Moving self in different positions to accomplish tasks in various environments including tight and confined spaces (N)
• Remaining in a stationary position, often standing or sitting for prolonged periods (C)
• Moving about to accomplish tasks or moving from one worksite to another (N)
• Adjusting or moving objects up to 10 pounds in all directions (N)
• Communicating with others to exchange information (C)
• Repeating motions that may include the wrists, hands and/or fingers (C)
• Operating machinery and/or power tools (N)
• Operating motor vehicles or heavy equipment (N)
• Assessing the accuracy, neatness and thoroughness of the work assigned (C)

Environmental Conditions

• Low temperatures
• High temperatures
• Outdoor elements such as precipitation and wind
• Noisy environments
• Hazardous conditions
• Poor ventilation
• Small and/or enclosed spaces
• No adverse environmental conditions expected (C)

Physical Demands

• Sedentary work that primarily involves sitting/standing

Additional Information

• This position is non union-eligible.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their role.
• Equal employment opportunity is provided to all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, national origin, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy, age, genetic information, disability, veterans’ status, or any other legally protected class, characteristic, or trait per applicable federal, state, or local law.