2025 Northeast Regional Program Clerkship

Earthjustice is offering a 2025 Northeast Regional Program Clerkship in New York, NY, for law students. The position involves working with attorneys on case development, drafting legal documents, conducting research, and attending court proceedings. The clerkship lasts 10 weeks and includes educational seminars on environmental issues. Candidates must be enrolled in a U.S. law school and work from the U.S. during the clerkship. It is a paid position with a weekly stipend.
About the position

The Northeast Regional Program at Earthjustice is dedicated to addressing the critical health and environmental threats posed by climate change, toxic chemicals, and pollution. This program is actively involved in ensuring that New York state and local authorities effectively implement innovative environmental laws, including the 2022 Environmental Rights Amendment and the 2019 Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. The team works diligently to protect drinking and surface waters from harmful pollutants such as PFAS in Cayuga Lake and cyanotoxins in Owasco Lake through both administrative advocacy and state and federal litigation. A significant aspect of the Northeast Office's approach is its commitment to environmental justice, collaborating with partners in frontline communities to ensure that vulnerable residents are not disproportionately affected by pollution in their air and water. Founded in 1971, Earthjustice has established itself as the leading nonprofit environmental law organization in the United States, employing approximately 575 staff across 15 strategically located offices. The organization leverages the power of law and partnerships to safeguard public health, preserve natural landscapes and wildlife, promote clean energy, and combat climate change. Earthjustice engages with thousands of groups and supporters to tackle significant, precedent-setting cases nationwide, boasting a distinguished record of achieving lasting environmental protections. The organization is structured around three major focus areas: Lands, Wildlife, and Oceans; Healthy Communities; and Climate and Energy. Each area addresses critical issues such as protecting endangered species, preventing pollution, and facilitating a transition to clean energy. The Summer Law Clerk position offers law students the opportunity to work closely with attorneys on case development and litigation strategies. Responsibilities include drafting pleadings and briefs, conducting legal research, developing legal theories, gathering evidence, and attending client meetings and court proceedings. The program also features various educational offerings, including seminars with attorneys and guest speakers on current environmental issues, interactions with local and regional environmental groups, and a job interview workshop. This clerkship is a paid position designed to last for 10 weeks at full-time hours, providing a stipend of $1,319.00 per week, adjusted for any external funding the student may secure.

Responsibilities
• Work with attorneys on case development and litigation strategy.
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• Draft pleadings and briefs.
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• Conduct legal research.
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• Develop legal theories and strategies.
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• Gather evidence for cases.
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• Attend client meetings and court proceedings.
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• Participate in in-person and virtual seminars on current environmental issues.
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• Engage with local and regional environmental groups.
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• Attend a job interview workshop.

Requirements
• Candidates must be enrolled in a U.S. law school through fall 2025.
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• Availability to commit to ten weeks during summer 2025.
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• Must work from the U.S. during the clerkship.

Nice-to-haves
• Interest in environmental law and public interest issues.
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• Experience in legal writing or research.

Benefits
• Paid summer law clerk position with a stipend of $1,319.00 per week.
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• Opportunity to gain hands-on experience in environmental law.
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• Access to seminars and workshops on environmental issues.