Law Clerk - Summer 2024

The Center for Biological Diversity seeks a full-time Summer 2024Law Clerkfor the Carnivore Conservation Program. Recognizing the ecological importance of wolves, bears and other carnivores, the Center uses science-based advocacy to defend these magnificent animals from persecution, exploitation and extinction. This position is either remote or located in Portland, Oregon, although many Portland staff are currently working remotely, and may continue working remotely depending on the state of the COVID-19 pandemic.

General Overview:

The Center’s carnivore conservation legal team files lawsuits, submits administrative petitions, and participates in other forms of advocacy on behalf of ecologically important carnivores. Law clerks support these advocacy efforts, assisting with the Program’s work on litigation and administrative advocacy.

Main duties:

• Conduct legal research and writing, including preparing legal memos, assisting with brief writing, preparing filings, investigating new cases and drafting official comments to federal or state agencies.
• On occasion, may have opportunities to observe court arguments or attend agency hearings online or in person.

Areas in which skills and experience will be gained:

• Clerks will gain experience in legal research and writing, and environmental advocacy, particularly in the natural resources area, drawing on litigation, science, media, and grassroots organizing strategies to fight for wildlife and their habitats.

Essential Skills and Qualifications:

• Must be a law student who has completed their first or second year of law school, or a student pursuing their LLM to be eligible;
• Strong legal research and writing skills;
• Passionate about protecting wildlife and their habitats;
• Commitment to equity and justice;
• Background or experience in natural resources, environmental, and administrative law and scientific literacy preferred.

Salary: $17.00/hour

Application process: Please apply online by uploading a cover letter explaining your interest in the position, resume, writing sample (no longer than 10 pages), transcript (unofficial is fine) and two references, as a single document, via our website. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Interviews are conducted on a rolling basis. You will be notified if you’re selected for an interview.

The Center for Biological Diversity deeply values, and is committed to sustaining and promoting, both biological and cultural diversity. We welcome, embrace and respect diversity of people, identities and cultures. We are committed to fostering an organizational culture of diversity and inclusion. The Center believes staff and board diversity is critical to saving life on Earth.

We are an equal opportunity employer.