Data Center Legal Fellow

Position Summary:

We are seeking a 1-year, data center-focused legal fellow at our Pittsburgh remote office. At Fair Shake, legal fellows receive training on the practice of public interest environmental law while acting as staff attorneys and handling a full docket of cases or other matters that advance a specific project relevant to Fair Shake's environmental justice mission. As such, in support of the specific fellowship project - in this instance providing legal counsel and representation to communities fighting hyperscale data center proposals - the Data Center Legal Fellow would research legal questions; counsel clients and community organizations; attend and participate in community meetings; provide community legal education; conduct factual investigations; litigate civil and administrative matters; negotiate settlements; draft and file permit and rule comments; and generally help to communities to oppose and/or mitigate the harms from hyperscale data center proposals as part of a full-service environmental law practice. Anticipated case matters can include, among other things, Right To Know Law appeals; municipal Sunshine Act compliance litigation; construction stormwater and NPDES permit commenting; land use and zoning hearings; air quality permit commenting; municipal policy development; and nonprofit formation and counseling.

Desired Skills and Qualities:

• Training and experience in environmental and administrative legal issues.
• Training and experience in client interviewing and counseling, administrative and civil procedure, trial advocacy, and settlement negotiation.
• Experience and training in legal drafting, research, and effective communication.
• Demonstrated effectiveness in both collaborative and independent work product and performance.
• Comfort with facilitating community meetings.
• The ability to explain legal concepts in accessible and understandable ways to the general public.
• A commitment to Fair Shake's environmental justice mission, client-centered counseling approach, and community lawyering.

Minimum Qualifications:

• A Juris Doctor degree or the equivalent.
• A minimum of 1-3 years of environmental or related legal practice experience (experience in a clinical program or working as a clerk or intern in a law office during law school may count as 1 year of experience in a legal practice).
• Current Pennsylvania or Ohio Bar admittance.

Location:

Fair Shake is an organization whose staff works remotely from their homes with shared office spaces in Beechwood, OH; Cincinnati, OH; Pittsburgh, PA; and Charleston, WV, and other locations as needed. Organizational meetings are primarily conducted by video conference. However, the Data Center Legal Fellow must be willing to travel across Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia as necessary to address client needs and the organization's mission (estimated to occur approximately 1-2 per month). Travel costs will be reimbursed. Also, an initial and annual home office stipend will be provided to enable remote work, and a computer and external monitor will be supplied.

Compensation & Benefits:

Fair Shake is offering an annual salary range of $72,000 - $80,000, based on a 32-hour average work week, commensurate with skills and experience. In addition to salary, Fair Shake offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes 20 days paid vacation; 10 days sick time; 12 weeks paid parental leave; work-related travel cost reimbursement; professional membership and conference allowance; monthly contribution-free, employer-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance; employer-paid long- and short-term disability insurance; employer-paid life insurance; and, after the vesting period, a retirement savings plan.

To Apply:

Please submit a letter of interest, your CV or résumé, and a writing sample to:

Michael A. Parker, Esq.

Executive Director

Fair Shake Environmental Legal Services

6425 Living Place, Suite 200

Pittsburgh, PA 15206

info@fairshake-els.org