Staff Attorney, Environmental Advocacy Center

Department: Law Legal Clinic

Salary/Grade: EXS/10

Target hiring range for this position will be between $87,900 - $115.000 per year. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.

Job Summary:

The Environmental Advocacy Center (EAC), within the Bluhm Legal Clinic at the Northwestern Pritzker School of Law, seeks an experienced, collaborative, and mission-driven Staff Attorney to partner with the Center's Director in managing a diverse docket of litigation, agency advocacy, and policy matters and in teaching the clinic seminar. The EAC represents community-based and nonprofit clients in a wide range of environmental and energy matters, including litigation in state and federal courts, advocacy before state and federal agencies, and legislative and policy development.

The Staff Attorney provides direct legal representation to EAC clients and exercises independent professional judgment in managing a diverse docket of litigation, agency advocacy, and policy matters. The role serves as a primary point of contact for courts, agencies, and external partners; supervises and mentors student attorneys engaged in direct client representation; collaborates with the EAC Director on docket development, case selection, and workflow; and contributes to the Center's strategic priorities, programmatic development, and academic and community programming within the broader Bluhm Legal Clinic community.

The position has year-round case management responsibilities, with no teaching obligations in the summer. This position is based at Northwestern Pritzker School of Law in downtown Chicago, with flexible working arrangements consistent with the academic calendar. Start date is flexible.

All applications must include a cover letter, résumé/CV, a list of at least three references (names and current email and telephone contact information), a law school transcript, and a legal writing sample. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Applicants will be interviewed on a rolling basis and may be called for a preliminary round of virtual interviews, possibly followed by an on-campus, call-back interview.

Specific Responsibilities:

Legal Representation & Case Leadership

• Serve as co-counsel on litigation, regulatory, and policy matters in state and federal courts and before administrative agencies
• Exercise independent professional judgment in developing legal strategy, case theory, and advocacy approaches
• Manage a diverse docket of litigation and policy matters, including client intake and matter screening, from intake through resolution
• Conduct legal research and factual investigation; draft and file pleadings, briefs, and memoranda of law; and participate in court and agency proceedingsMaintain primary responsibility for client communications, deadlines, case outcomes, and file management
• Oversee policy projects, including developing work plans, conducting research, and engaging with policymakers

External Engagement & Partnership Development

• Serve as a primary external representative of the Environmental Advocacy Center to courts, agencies, community organizations, advocacy coalitions, and movement partners
• Cultivate and manage strategic relationships that advance the Center's litigation and policy goals
• Identify and develop new matters aligned with the Center's mission and strategic priorities
• Lead and participate in trainings, presentations, and public-facing programming that promote the Center's work and impact

Student Supervision, Mentorship & Clinical Instruction

• Provide substantive supervision and mentorship to student attorneys engaged in direct client representation
• Lead case planning, feedback, and professional identity development for student attorneys
• Coordinate student workflow, assignments, and deadlines across active matters
• Collaborate with the EAC Director on docket priorities, case selection, and student supervision models
• Contribute to the instructional mission of the clinic seminar and broader Bluhm Legal Clinic programming

Program Development, Strategy & Compliance

• Contribute to the Center's docket planning, strategic priorities, fundraising efforts, and programmatic growth
• Support institutional and funder compliance, reporting, and documentation requirements, as applicable
• Assist in developing systems and processes to strengthen case management, student supervision, and operational effectiveness
• Contribute to communications, website content, and visibility efforts for the Center and Clinic

Miscellaneous

Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• A J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school
• Three to five years of relevant legal experience
• Strong academic credentials

Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)

• Evidence of outstanding promise as a teacher and litigator
• Demonstrated ability to perform core lawyering and litigation skills independently (i.e. preparing and submitting basic court or agency filings, efficient legal drafting, managing client communications, etc.)
• Significant subject-matter experience in some combination of environmental law, energy law, community lawyering, administrative law, legislation, and complex litigation in federal and Illinois courts
• Demonstrated ability and interest in lawyering across differences and working with community-based client organizations
• Experience or interest in teaching, supervising or mentoring law students or entry-level attorneys
• Active membership in good standing in the Illinois bar or active membership in good standing in at least one state bar and the ability to sit for the Illinois bar within six months.

Benefits:

At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful and competitive benefits. The available benefits package for this position will include health, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance; paid vacation and holidays; paid medical/sick and parental leave; tuition benefits for the employee and dependents; pre-tax and flex spending accounts for commuting and dependent care; generous retirement savings options; and wellness programs. For a comprehensive overview of available benefits, including eligibility details, visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness:

Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life's challenges and opportunities, and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.

We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development:

Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you're interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics, including disability and veteran status. View Northwestern's non-discrimination statement. Job applicants who wish to request an accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance. View additional information on the accommodations process.