J.D. with 4+ years of litigation experience, ideally in environmental or animal law.
Strong analytical, legal research, and writing skills.
Public speaking expertise with oral argument experience.
Self-motivated and able to handle administrative tasks.
Collaborative teamwork experience in small groups or non-profit settings.
Passion for environmental laws and food-related issues.
Admission or willingness to obtain admission to the California or Oregon bar.
Responsibilities
Support litigation and advocacy efforts of the Legal Team.
Serve as lead or co-counsel in key cases.
Conduct factual investigations, legal research, and prepare legal documents.
Develop cases focused on public interest and CFS's mission.
Engage in state and federal rulemaking and agency interactions.
Participate in legislative activities linked to CFS's advocacy.
Collaborate with CFS colleagues and partners to bolster organizational goals.
Engage in public speaking and outreach to further CFS initiatives.
Benefits
Flexible hybrid work environment with a four-day work week.
Discretionary annual bonus and retirement plan matching contributions.
Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance.
Disability insurance and pre-tax medical savings plan.
Generous vacation and leave policies.
Eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program.
Full Job Description
Location: The position is preferred to be based in either Portland, Oregon, or the San Francisco Bay Area, California, in a hybrid home-office model, but fully remote is also considered for the right candidate.
TO APPLY FOR THIS ROLE, PLEASE VISIT THE CENTER FOR FOOD SAFETY JOB BOARD
About the role
Center for Food Safety (CFS), one of the nation's top food and environmental nonprofits, seeks a new Staff Attorney to join our team. The Staff Attorney should have at least four years of litigation experience, including clerkships and/or fellowships. CFS Staff Attorneys develop and prosecute precedent-setting cases in furtherance of CFS's organizational mission and theory of change. The Attorney will participate in and, as appropriate, lead all phases of public interest high-impact litigation and administrative advocacy. CFS Staff Attorneys work with clients, allies, frontline communities, coalitions, and collaborative networks to apply and implement CFS campaigns. Staff Attorneys engage in public speaking and outreach. The Attorney will work on all CFS program areas, including but not limited to:
Consumer Advocacy
Farmworker and Farmer Protection
Food and Climate Change
Food Labeling/Right to Know
Genetically Engineered Organisms and Monocultures
Industrial Animal Agriculture
Industrial Aquaculture
Pesticides & Other Toxins
Pollinator & Wildlife Protection
Public Health
Regenerative Agriculture: Organic & Beyond
What you'll do
Support litigation and advocacy developed by CFS's Legal Team and Legal Director.
Serve as lead counsel or co-counsel as appropriate in CFS cases.
Fulfill the full range of litigation tasks, including factual investigation, legal research and analysis, discovery and record review, briefing, oral argument, appeals, amicus briefs, settlement, and fee recovery.
Lead the factual development for and litigation of precedent-setting public interest cases, furthering CFS's theory of change.
Represent CFS and clients in state and federal rulemaking and agency engagement.
Support and engage in federal and state legislative activities connected to CFS litigation and organizational mission.
Work closely with other CFS attorneys, policy and communications staff, scientists, coalition partners, and clients to build cases and support CFS policies and programs.
Engage in public speaking, media, and outreach.
Maintain and develop organizational partnerships with new clients, allies, and coalition partners to implement CFS's strategic litigation and organizational mission.
Oversee fellows and law clerks and engage in recruitment efforts as appropriate.
Desired qualifications and skills
Law school graduate with at least 4 years of litigation experience, including clerkships or fellowships (administrative/environmental/animal law or related area preferred);
Ability to independently manage a litigation docket.
Excellent analytical, legal research, and writing skills.
Excellent communication and public speaking skills.
Oral argument experience.
Self-motivation and willingness to do administrative tasks.
Proven ability to work collaboratively with others in a ,small, team-oriented environment.
Strong work ethic, initiative, and creativity.
Sensitivity to the concerns of and the ability to work with individuals from diverse cultures, backgrounds, and orientations.
Admission to the California or Oregon bar or a willingness to be licensed in either state within one year (or bar admission in an existing remote location).
A passion for enforcing and strengthening environmental laws.
A passion for and/or a background in food and agriculture issues.
Compensation and benefits
Hybrid - San Francisco, CA: $87,000-$133,000 USD/ year (salary) Hybrid - Washington, D.C.: $82,000-$123,000 USD/ year (salary)
Hybrid - Portland, OR: $77,000-$113,000 USD/ year (salary)
CFS offers a competitive compensation package, a flexible hybrid work environment, and a four-day workweek. In addition to salary, we offer a discretionary annual bonus and employer matching contributions to a retirement plan. Benefits include medical, vision, and dental insurance, disability insurance, a pre-tax medical savings plan, and generous vacation and leave policies. As a 501(c)(3) organization, CFS qualifies as an employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program.
The pay range for this role is:
87,000 - 133,000 USD per year (West Coast Office - Hybrid)
77,000 - 113,000 USD per year (Pacific Northwest Office - Hybrid)
