Associate Attorney - 2 year term with potential for extension

Environmental Law & Policy Center • Full-time • Chicago, IL • 3w ago

The Environmental Law & Policy Center plans to hire two public interest attorneys with at least 2 years of legal experience following law school graduation for two-year litigation fellowship positions starting in September 2026 through Fall 2028 with an opportunity, but no assurance, for extension. The Litigation Fellows will be Associate Attorneys working on ELPC's innovative public interest litigation and innovative policy advocacy to advance climate change solutions through cleaner energy and transportation, Great Lakes and natural resources protection, and clean water and clean air protection. This is an extraordinary time in which ELPC’s effective legal and policy advocacy – backed by strong economic analysis, sound science and public engagement – are essential for protecting our core environmental values.

LOCATION: Chicago or Washington DC with a hybrid work environment

This is an excellent opportunity for early-career attorneys with a commitment to public service and justice to build a range of litigation skills while working on important cases protecting the environment and public health.

ORGANIZATION

ELPC is the Midwest’s leading public interest environmental legal advocacy and eco-business innovation organization, and among the nation’s leaders. We develop and lead strategic environmental legal advocacy campaigns to improve environmental quality and protect our natural heritage. We are public interest environmental entrepreneurs who engage in creative business dealmaking with diverse interests to put into practice our belief that environmental progress and economic development can be achieved together. ELPC’s multidisciplinary staff of 48 talented public interest attorneys, policy advocates, data scientists and communications specialists bring a strong and effective combination of skills to solve environmental problems and improve the quality of life in our communities. Our headquarters is in downtown Chicago, with additional offices and staff across the Midwest states and in Washington, DC. Please visit www.ELPC.org.

ELPC is proud to be the honored by the American Bar Association's 2023 Award for Excellence in Environmental, Energy, and Resources Stewardship. This prominent national award recognizes ELPC’s significant accomplishments and demonstrated leadership on sustainable environmental and energy advocacy.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Engage with ELPC’s Executive Director and Managing/Senior Attorneys on vital litigation and innovative climate action policy initiatives for ELPC’s Great Places & Great Lakes Protection, Clean Energy, Clean Air & Climate Solutions, and Clean Water Program multidisciplinary teams. Assist on special projects. ELPC’s current docket includes litigation and advocacy to: challenge the current Administration's rollbacks of Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act protections for public health and our environment; promote clean energy solutions including accelerating distributed energy resources like rooftop solar and storage to empower Midwest communities while retiring old, highly-polluting coal plants; protect environmental justice communities and the Great Lakes from toxics pollution; and protect the Midwest’s wild and natural places from development threats and damaging policies.

For a current example, please watch this video about ELPC’s federal court lawsuit to protect Lake Michigan and Chicago’s Southeast Side community from a new toxic dredged waste landfill along the Great Lakes shoreline in a community already overburdened by toxics pollution.

Specific responsibilities include:

Work closely with ELPC attorneys, scientists, policy specialists, clients, and partners to build cases and support policies to protect the environment, Midwest people and communities, and the planet.
Engage in a full range of tasks involved in federal and state court litigation and administrative agency advocacy including preparing legal briefs and motions, legal research and analysis, administrative comments, memorandum writing, negotiation and discovery.
Engage in ELPC’s work that combines legislative advocacy and communications tactics with litigation and other legal strategies. Participate with ELPC attorneys in relationships with clients, allies and coalition partners, co-counsel, and experts.

QUALIFICATIONS

Law school graduate with at least two years of litigation experience and admitted to, or willing and eligible to apply for admission to Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio or Washington DC bar.
Strong academic record, and excellent writing, analytical and communications skills.
Litigation experience and engagement on policy and political issues, ranging from legislative work to campaign experience, is a strong plus.
An inspired and demonstrated commitment to public interest advocacy, and a passion for ELPC’s role and its mission.
Strong and demonstrated work ethic, good judgment, initiative, and creativity.
Interest in and substantive law and policy knowledge of at least one of the following fields: clean air and clean water, climate change, energy, environmental, and natural resources laws.
Understand and enjoy multifaceted public policy strategic advocacy that involves strong and effective legal advocacy coordinated with media, legislative, economic and policy analysis and organizing approaches.
An ability to work productively as a member of a team of skilled professionals.

SALARY

For September 2026 starting date, salary ranges of around $98,940 - $106,000 based on number of years of active legal practice following law school graduation. Appropriate geographical variations for ELPC offices in other locations. ELPC encourages applicants to seek funding that will help to support their salary in full or part from sources such as law schools’ public interest grants, etc.

ELPC offers a nationally competitive salary and excellent benefits. As a 501(c)(3) organization, ELPC is a qualifying employer for purposes of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Please include the following with your application:

Resume
One-page cover letter explaining your interests and qualifications for ELPC’s Public Interest Litigation Fellowship position, and why you are especially attracted to ELPC’s mission and whether there are particular legal, environmental, or social justice issues that inspire you
Three professional references.

Please also be ready to soon provide (upon request): (1) Law school transcript; and (2) A writing sample – legal memorandum for which you were the principal writer and the memo was either unedited or lightly edited by someone else.

Preference will be given to candidates who apply by October 15, 2025. After that, applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the positions are filled.

The Environmental Law & Policy Center considers applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, genetic predisposition, national origin, ethnicity, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.
If you are interested in any of our open positions but are unable to apply online due to a disability, please email gcronin@elpc.org for assistance with a reference to the specific job(s) you are interested in.