Earthjustice’s International program is seeking summer Law Clerks who share a passion for justice and a healthy environment.

Earthjustice’s International program works in international tribunals, domestic courts, and international institutions to defend the right to a healthy environment around the world.  International program staff represent and collaborate with organizations and communities to establish, strengthen, and enforce national and international legal protections for the environment and public health.  Core focus areas include combating climate change, including by supporting worldwide efforts to stop coal mining and consumption, and promoting clean energy; protecting the international Arctic; building marine resilience to ocean warming and acidification; and strengthening the ability of citizens around the world to participate in environmental protection.  At the heart of our work is the principle—which we were the first organization to advocate internationally—that all people have a right to a healthy and sustainable environment.

Summer Law Clerks play an important role in the development and implementation of international legal strategies to combat some of the most pressing threats to the environment around the world.  Under the supervision of an attorney, Law Clerks’ primary responsibilities are to conduct legal and policy research, and draft legal documents.  Depending on our docket, summer clerks might draft submissions to US courts or international tribunals, petition international environmental or human rights bodies, write memos or briefs in support of litigation in foreign domestic courts, research issues related to international environmental and human rights law, and/or develop public outreach materials, such as press releases and blog posts.  In addition, the summer law clerk program includes seminars with attorneys from across the organization on current environmental issues.

Although not required, the ideal candidate will have:

• A demonstrated commitment to or interest in international and/or environmental issues.
• Experience working in cross-cultural settings.
• Coursework or job-related experience in international or international environmental law.

The International Law Clerkship includes a stipend up to a maximum of $6,500, depending on the extent of the clerk’s funding from other sources for the summer. Earthjustice will pay $6,500 minus the total amount the clerk receives from other sources. We strongly encourage candidates to pursue outside funding, but the ability to secure outside funding does not affect our hiring decision.

TO APPLY

Law students who have a minimum of ten consecutive weeks to commit in the summer are eligible to apply.  Interested applicants are requested to submit the following materials:

• Cover letter. The best cover letters are one page, address why the applicant wants to work for the International program, and provide information about the applicant that is not apparent or fully explained in the resume.
• Resume.
• Recent writing sample, preferably a legal brief or memorandum of no more than ten pages, that has not been edited by another person.
• Unofficial transcript. If your transcript does not include the classes you are registered for or intend to take in the for fall term, please provide a list.
• List of three references.

Incomplete applications will not be considered. If you’re having technical difficulties submitting your application, please contact jobs@earthjustice.org