Earthjustice

Senior Attorney, Fossil Fuels

Earthjustice$147K — $189K *
Legal & Accounting
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Admitted to, or eligible for admission to, the Louisiana Bar.
  • 6+ years of litigation experience.
  • Preferred experience with environmental law and oil and gas infrastructure.
  • Strong research, analytical, writing, and communication skills; trial skills are a plus.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills to work collaboratively with diverse clients and partners.
  • Commitment to Earthjustice's values of Justice, Excellence, Inclusion, and Partnership.
  • Leadership skills with emotional intelligence and cultural competence.

Responsibilities

  • Lead litigation tasks including investigation, legal research, and trials.
  • Develop innovative legal theories and strategies for cases.
  • Collaborate with clients and teams to build and litigate cases.
  • Partner with advocacy and media teams to amplify legal efforts for community change.
  • Train and mentor junior attorneys in litigation and advocacy skills.
  • Cultivate relationships with clients and partner organizations effectively.
  • Integrate various strategies to lead and execute litigation campaigns.

Benefits

  • Mission- and employee-focused work environment.
  • Competitive compensation package including excellent benefits.
  • Opportunity for public service loan forgiveness under PSLF program.
  • Diversity and inclusion valued in organization culture.
Full Job Description
Earthjustice seeks a Senior Attorney to join the Fossil Fuels Program. We use the power of the law to challenge the onslaught of new oil and gas infrastructure development that threatens climate, communities, and the environment. This position will focus on oil and gas infrastructure and related projects in the U.S. Gulf region, particularly Louisiana and Texas. The attorney in this position will be place-based in the New Orleans' satellite office space shared with other Fossil Fuel Program staff New Orleans, Louisiana.

Responsibilities:
  • Lead complex cases and the full range of litigation tasks, including factual investigation, legal research, discovery, briefing, witness preparation, trials, and oral advocacy.
  • Develop cutting-edge legal theories and strategies.
  • Work with clients, other attorneys, and partners to investigate, develop, and litigate cases.
  • Work with our media and policy and legislation teams, as well as clients and partners, to leverage legal advocacy to obtain positive change and results.
  • Train and mentor junior attorneys, including building their litigation skills in the course of legal advocacy.
  • Build and maintain effective working relationships with a diverse range of clients and other partner organizations.
  • Develop and lead litigation campaigns and strategically integrate legal, advocacy, communication, and organizing strategies to achieve campaign goals.
  • Engage in activities, including work with partners, funders, the media, and communities, that enhance the organization's reputation and the attorney's role as an "ambassador" of the organization.

Qualifications
  • Admitted to, or eligible for admission to, the Louisiana Bar.
  • 6+ years of litigation experience.
  • Experience working with environmental law statutes and issues surrounding community and environmental health, oil and gas infrastructure, strongly preferred.
  • Excellent research, analytic, writing, and communication skills required; trial skills a plus.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to build relationships and work collaboratively with a diverse set of clients and partner organizations.
  • Demonstrated commitment to Earthjustice's values of Justice, Excellence, Inclusion, and Partnership.
  • Skill in leading diverse teams with emotional intelligence and cultural competence; fosters growth mentorship, effective communication, and constructive feedback while hiring and developing team talents to align with organizational needs.

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 is based on experience and location.
Salary range in New Orleans, LA: $ 147,100-$189,400

To Apply:

Interested applicants should submit the following:
  • Resume
  • One- or two-page cover letter that addresses (1) what draws you to the Program mission; and (2) any experience you have working on environmental, environmental justice, and/or oil and gas issues.
  • Writing sample, preferably a legal brief or memorandum that primarily reflects your work.

Incomplete applications will not be considered. Applications received by September 7, 2026 will receive priority review.

Please reach out to [email protected] if you are having technical difficulties submitting your application. No phone calls, drop-ins, or hard copies.

#LI-Hybrid

About Earthjustice

Earthjustice is a non-profit public interest law organization dedicated to protecting the magnificent places, natural resources, and wildlife of this earth, and to defending the right of all people to a healthy environment. Earthjustice brings about far-reaching change by enforcing and strengthening environmental laws on behalf of hundreds of organizations, coalitions and communities. Earthjustice fights for the right of every person to a healthy environment, and for the right of every community to be heard in decisions that affect their health and well-being.
Learn more about Earthjustice
Size
500 employees
Industry

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