Job Title: Associate Attorney
Department: Environmental Law Program
Location: Oakland, CA
Reports To: Managing Attorney
Supervises: N/A
Duration: 2-year position, beginning August or September 2027
Context: At the Sierra Club, we believe in the power of interdependence. Together, we remain committed to the fight for a healthy climate built on a foundation of environmental, racial, economic, and gender justice – a future where all people benefit from a healthy, thriving planet and a direct connection to nature. As the climate crisis and deeply entrenched systemic racism all fuel injustice, we will continue to fight for a bold, transformational agenda that recognizes the interconnectedness between our planet, our humanity, and our future. By recognizing that our destinies are tied, we continue to name that all things are fundamentally connected, and the overlap between ecology, race, gender, and representative government will move to either advance our collective humanity or to oppress it. Sierra Club has close to 700 staff across the country and a network of 64 local chapters that are led and fueled by thousands of volunteers. We are also proud to be a unionized employer, with three labor unions representing more than half of our employees.
Scope: The Sierra Club Environmental Law Program seeks an associate attorney to begin work at the Sierra Club national headquarters in Oakland, California starting in September 2027. This position is intended for recent law school graduates and early-career attorneys.
As part of the national Sierra Club’s legal team, the associate attorney helps coordinate all aspects of the Sierra Club’s legal work. Working with senior and staff attorneys, the associate attorney evaluates proposed environmental litigation and prepares formal written recommendations for the Sierra Club’s decision-makers; provides legal advice to Sierra Club chapters around the country; helps strategize and implement programmatic legal campaigns; and, during the associate’s second year, participates as counsel in select litigation matters aimed at advancing the Sierra Club’s national campaigns.
The Environmental Law Program primarily directs legal strategy for the Sierra Club’s campaigns, including Beyond Coal, Beyond Dirty Fuels, Clean Transportation for All, and Conservation. We litigate cases and coordinate legal work among campaigns, state-level chapters, and partner coalitions. This full-time position may include work on some evenings and weekends when necessary to meet litigation deadlines.
Job activities include but are not limited to:
Evaluate proposed environmental litigation. Support national volunteer and staff leadership in deciding whether the Sierra Club should participate in formal legal matters.
Oversee the Sierra Club’s litigation docket at a national level. Maintain a comprehensive view of active and potential lawsuits and assist in resolving issues as they arise in ongoing lawsuits.
Support chapters pursuing legal tactics. Assist with chapters’ legal strategies and objectives, help secure effective, low or pro bono outside counsel, and ensure that legal tactics are part of a well-integrated campaign strategy.
Help to ensure that Sierra Club litigation furthers the principles of equity, inclusion, and justice, consistent with the Jemez Principles (see below). Ensure fair treatment and meaningful involvement of clients, partners, and front-line community groups and individuals in a way that demonstrates humility, patience, and respect.
Assist in litigating cases aligned with national priority campaigns (during the second year). Work under the supervision and mentorship of senior and staff attorneys to advance the goals of the national priority campaigns.
In 2015, the Sierra Club formalized its vision for an internal transformation to become a more equitable and inclusive organization. The Sierra Club has also adopted the Jemez Principles, a set of guidelines designed to help people from different cultures, communities, politics, and organizations work together in solidarity. The Environmental Law Program strives to conduct litigation in accordance with the Jemez Principles and in furtherance of Sierra Club’s vision of becoming a more equitable and inclusive organization. For more information about our commitment to equity, inclusion, and justice, please visit: sierraclub.org/equity.
The successful candidate must demonstrate the following skills, experience and competencies:
Law school graduate by August or September 2027 admitted to or willing to apply for admission to the California Bar.
0+ years of post-law school legal experience by August or September 2027. As noted above, the position is intended for recent law school graduates and early-career attorneys.
Excellent writing and analytical skills. You are able to write clearly and effectively, and analyze complex legal issues.
Strong interpersonal and consensus building skills. You are able to work collaboratively with clients and colleagues from a variety of backgrounds.
Passion for the Sierra Club’s mission. You show a demonstrated commitment to protect and restore the quality of the natural and human environment.
Basic knowledge of environmental law. You understand the key principles of environmental law.
Committed to evolution. You are committed to continuously deepening and evolving your own understanding of systems of oppression through study, openness, and humility. And you easily recognize your own relationship to privilege and power, examining and shifting your behaviors as appropriate.
Uplifting and additive. You see mistakes as opportunities for growth; problems as catalysts for solutions, and inspire others along the journey. You carry a constructive approach, can-do attitude, a sense of humor, and authentic kindness wherever you go.
To Apply
Please upload your resume and cover letter, in PDF format.
The Sierra Club provides equal employment and advancement opportunities to all staff members. Employment decisions are based on merit, qualifications, lived experience and skills. The Sierra Club does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, immigration status, socioeconomic status, ancestry, age, size, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, familial status, veteran status, disability, AIDS/HIV status, medical condition, prior conviction, arrest history, traits historically associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles, or any other characteristic protected by law.
The Sierra Club values applicants who are people that identify as Black, Indigenous, and other minoritized groups; women; queer, transgender, gender non-conforming, and gender fluid people.
Explore, enjoy and protect the planet.
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