Associate Vice President, Strategic Litigation

Conservation Law Foundation seeks an Associate VP of Strategic Litigation to lead environmental law initiatives in New England. The role involves program and team management, supporting the VP in strategic direction, and engaging with communities. Candidates should have 9+ years of litigation experience and a law degree. While preferred locations are Boston, MA, Providence, RI, or New Haven, CT, there is flexibility for remote work within New England.
Conservation Law Foundation (CLF) is seeking an Associate VP of Strategic Litigation to join our team working for a healthy and thriving New England for all. CLF’s Strategic Litigation team works on groundbreaking environmental law cases, currently including climate-change liability claims against the world’s largest oil and gas producers and cases that will reduce nutrient pollution that fuels toxic algae outbreaks. Other cases may address the negative consequences of plastics in the environment, climate change related greenwashing claims, or hold parties responsible for release of emerging contaminants into the environment.

This is an exciting opportunity to work alongside and support the Vice President (VP) of Strategic Litigation to set and implement programmatic and legal direction and priorities consistent with the organization’s strategic plan. Through excellent supervisory, delegation, and organizational skills as well as keen knowledge of litigation, you will support the Vice President in guiding the team.

The position is strongly preferred to be based in Boston, MA but being based in CLF’s Providence, RI or New Haven, CT offices will be considered. There is also some opportunity for remote and flexible work within New England.

What you’ll do:

Program Management
• Work alongside and support the VP for Strategic Litigation to refine the vision and implementation strategy for CLF’s strategic litigation work, ensuring it is aligned with the organization’s strategic priorities;
• Support the VP’s vision by assisting with managing the day-to-day operations of the program including assigning work, acting as a sounding board, and helping to solve problems;
• Represent CLF, the program, and/or the program VP before partner communities, public officials, supporters, and other audiences;
• Plan and run team-wide meetings and retreats;
• Work with CLF’s development team and the VP on fundraising efforts;
• Work with CLF’s finance team and the VP to develop and manage an annual program budget; and
• Work with CLF’s communications team and the VP on communications and marketing efforts.

Team Management
• Hire, supervise, and mentor Strat Lit attorneys, paralegals, and program assistants;
• Work with supervisees to create professional development objectives and identify relevant professional development opportunities;
• Engage in effective and inclusive management practices that support team members and ensure a healthy and inclusive workplace culture.

Project Management
• Provide managerial support to litigation team leads on major cases/initiatives and serve as a procedural and substantive resource to other litigation team members;
• Represent CLF and other parties in litigation and administrative proceedings;
• Negotiate civil penalties, injunctive relief, and fee and cost recovery; and
• Work closely with the team to build partnerships with people and communities most impacted by the issues we work on and where CLF policy, programmatic and legal actions will have the greatest impact.

What you’ll need:
• A minimum of 9 years of experience practicing law, especially litigation (with preference for Federal civil litigation and/or environmental litigation experience);
• Substantial experience in managing people and projects;
• A law degree and active bar membership in good standing in any state (New England state is preferred);
• Demonstrated success in navigating complex policy and programmatic initiatives;
• Experience starting and building new initiatives, teams, or large-scale endeavors;
• A collaborative leadership style, with proven ability to lead, manage, and support interdisciplinary teams;
• Strong skills in networking, fundraising, financial management, and communications; and
• Demonstrated commitment to addressing issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Tagged as: Law/Policy