Earthjustice’s Florida regional office, located in Tallahassee, Florida, is seeking an associate attorney to join our staff in the fall of 2012. Associates participate in a full range of tasks that include meeting with clients and experts; conducting factual investigations, legal research, and discovery; preparing pleadings and briefs; engaging in advocacy; and participating in trial work. Associate attorneys are assigned to specific cases, working in a supporting role to staff attorneys and also handle screening of potential new cases. Since our office is small, with only five attorneys, associates typically receive substantial training in litigation skills.
Successful applicants in the past have typically completed a judicial clerkship or have one to three years of experience in environmental law or general litigation, although recent law school graduates may apply. Applicants will be required to become members of the Florida bar and must have a demonstrated commitment to environmental protection. Excellent research, writing and oral advocacy skills are essential, as are a solid academic record, interest in being a team player, a strong work ethic, a sense of initiative, and a sense of humor.
The Florida Regional Office: We focus on litigation involving water pollution and conservation, public trust waters, wetlands protection, Everglades restoration, clean air, and climate change in state, federal and administrative courts. Tallahassee is the state capital and a medium-sized college town with two major state universities. The city is within a one-hour drive of many outstanding rivers and springs, within two hours of largely undeveloped Gulf Coast beaches, and a half-hour from the St. Marks Wildlife Refuge. The area provides extraordinary opportunities for canoeing, kayaking, bird watching, fishing, and (of course) collegiate athletic events. Our office is located downtown just two to three blocks from the Florida State University College of Law, the United States District Courthouse, the Florida Supreme Court, and the State Capitol complex.