Lawyer - Climate

Environmental Justice Australia is seeking a Lawyer - Climate with at least 3 years of litigation or legal advocacy experience. The role supports climate action and offers full-time or part-time options, with a salary range of $108,090 to $114,000. The position allows for remote work, with the office based in Carlton. Candidates must be admitted to practice in Australia and have a strong interest in public interest law and environmental issues.
Are you concerned about climate change, and want to use your legal skills to support others seeking real climate action?

If you are a lawyer (3+ years) with litigation or complex legal advocacy experience, this is your unique opportunity to make an important difference in mitigating the climate crisis.
• The position is full time (preferred) or 4 days per week.
• Salary range is $108,090 to $114,000 plus super and leave loading
• The office is located in Carlton with the opportunity to work regularly (but not exclusively) from home. Other locations in Australia will be considered for an exceptional candidate.

You must be admitted to practice in Australia. We require at least three years of experience working on litigation or legal advocacy campaigns in Australia in an area of: corporate accountability or environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) law; or public/administrative law (including human rights law).

Alongside sound legal skills, the role requires a strong interest in and understanding of strategy and the role of public interest law in environmental change. The capacity and willingness to work closely with local communities and NGOs is essential.

Want to know more? The full position description including selection criteria is below.

Your application must address the selection criteria to be considered. Closing date: Sunday 13 April at 11.59pm (AEST).

EJA is an equal opportunity employer. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, women, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, LGBTQIA+ people and people with a disability are encouraged to apply.

About us

Environmental Justice Australia is a leading public interest legal organisation. Our lawyers act on behalf of people and community organisations to safeguard health; protect magnificent forests, rivers and wildlife; and tackle the climate crisis. We partner with communities and other social justice organisations because we are stronger together.

Using innovative approaches, we find the best legal solutions to climate and environment issues. Our team works inside and outside the courtroom to make the system fair and just for all. We work on issues and in areas of Australia where we can have the most impact.

You would join a high impact, dedicated climate action team, comprising lawyers with legal campaigning, corporate accountability, human rights, public and criminal law expertise. We work closely with allies and clients, and internally with EJA’s communications and campaign staff.

Our recent work includes the landmark Living Wonders intervention, representing a client in the first legal challenge to fracking under the ‘water trigger’ in Australia’s national environment laws, and a UN human rights complaint on behalf of young people in Australia.

Our Values

Collaboration: We work in partnership with community and other organisations because we are in this together

Respect: We treat everyone with respect and we value different perspectives as we know we can learn something from everyone

Ambition: We aim high and are at all times focused on achieving maximum impact for nature, climate and communities Positivity: We maintain hope and a positive approach because we believe we can change the world

Justice: We are driven by our sense of justice – it’s at the core of everything we do.

Responsibilities
• Under supervision of a Senior Lawyer or Climate Lead, provide high-quality legal advice (both written and oral) and representation in matters related to climate change and/or environmental law.
• Develop, launch and run litigation matters – including scoping legal strategies, liaising with clients, briefing barristers, initiating proceedings, preparing evidence, file management, correspondence and instructing in court.
• Build relationships with community and NGO clients, obtain instructions, identify legal issues, research applicable law and prepare advice.
• Conduct detailed legal research in the areas of climate, environmental and corporate accountability laws on matters relevant to the climate program, and draft reports and legal analysis for publication.
• Contribute to legal advocacy on climate issues in partnership with community groups and NGOs.
• Work with EJA’s engagement and communications staff to ensure our work is communicated effectively to multiple audiences.
• Effectively use practice management and office management software.
• Contribute to the EJA team and the running of the organisation and office, uphold EJA’s values, and participate in all relevant aspects of EJA planning, strategy development, review and reporting.