Environmental Law & Policy Center
Associate Attorney-2 year term with possible extension
Environmental Law & Policy Center, Chicago, Illinois, United States, 60290
Overview
Associate Attorney - 2 year term with possible extension. Two-year litigation fellowship positions starting in September 2026 through Fall 2028 with an opportunity, but no assurance, for extension. Location: Chicago or Washington DC with a hybrid work environment. Compensation
Base pay range: $98,940.00/yr - $106,000.00/yr. This range is provided by Environmental Law & Policy Center; actual pay will be based on skills and experience. Salary information for other ELPC offices may vary by location. Responsibilities
Associate Attorneys will work on ELPC’s public interest litigation and policy advocacy to advance climate change solutions, including cleaner energy and transportation, Great Lakes and natural resources protection, and clean water and clean air protection. Responsibilities include: Work closely with ELPC attorneys, scientists, policy specialists, clients, and partners to build cases and support policies to protect the environment, communities, and the planet. Engage in federal and state court litigation and administrative advocacy, including preparing briefs and motions, research and analysis, administrative comments, memoranda, negotiations, and discovery. Participate in litigation-policy advocacy that combines legislative action, communications, and other legal strategies; collaborate with clients, allies, coalition partners, co-counsel, and experts. Examples of current docket items include opposing rollbacks of Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act protections, promoting clean energy, protecting environmental justice communities, and protecting the Great Lakes from pollution. For a current example, watch a video about ELPC’s federal court lawsuit to protect Lake Michigan and Chicago’s Southeast Side community from a toxic dredged waste landfill along the Great Lakes shoreline. Qualifications
Law school graduate with at least two years of litigation experience; admitted to, or eligible to apply for, admission to Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio or Washington DC bar. Strong academic record, excellent writing, analytical and communication skills. Litigation experience and engagement on policy and political issues is a strong plus. Commitment to public interest advocacy and ELPC’s mission. Strong work ethic, good judgment, initiative, and creativity. Interest and knowledge in clean air and water, climate change, energy, environmental and natural resources laws. Ability to work productively as part of a team of professionals. Salary note : For September 2026 start, salary ranges of around $98,940 - $106,000 based on years of active legal practice following law school graduation. Geographical variations may apply for ELPC offices in other locations. ELPC encourages applicants to seek funding to support salary from sources such as law schools’ public interest grants. ELPC offers a nationally competitive salary and excellent benefits. As a 501(c)(3) organization, ELPC is a qualifying employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program. Application Process
Please include the following with your application: Resume One-page cover letter detailing interests and qualifications for ELPC’s Public Interest Litigation Fellowship and why you are attracted to ELPC’s mission; indicate any particular legal, environmental, or social justice issues that inspire you Three professional references Also be ready to provide (upon request): (1) Law school transcript; (2) A writing sample – a legal memorandum for which you were the principal writer and the memo was unedited or lightly edited by someone else. Important dates : Preference given to candidates who apply by October 15, 2025. Applications reviewed on a rolling basis until positions are filled.
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Associate Attorney - 2 year term with possible extension. Two-year litigation fellowship positions starting in September 2026 through Fall 2028 with an opportunity, but no assurance, for extension. Location: Chicago or Washington DC with a hybrid work environment. Compensation
Base pay range: $98,940.00/yr - $106,000.00/yr. This range is provided by Environmental Law & Policy Center; actual pay will be based on skills and experience. Salary information for other ELPC offices may vary by location. Responsibilities
Associate Attorneys will work on ELPC’s public interest litigation and policy advocacy to advance climate change solutions, including cleaner energy and transportation, Great Lakes and natural resources protection, and clean water and clean air protection. Responsibilities include: Work closely with ELPC attorneys, scientists, policy specialists, clients, and partners to build cases and support policies to protect the environment, communities, and the planet. Engage in federal and state court litigation and administrative advocacy, including preparing briefs and motions, research and analysis, administrative comments, memoranda, negotiations, and discovery. Participate in litigation-policy advocacy that combines legislative action, communications, and other legal strategies; collaborate with clients, allies, coalition partners, co-counsel, and experts. Examples of current docket items include opposing rollbacks of Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act protections, promoting clean energy, protecting environmental justice communities, and protecting the Great Lakes from pollution. For a current example, watch a video about ELPC’s federal court lawsuit to protect Lake Michigan and Chicago’s Southeast Side community from a toxic dredged waste landfill along the Great Lakes shoreline. Qualifications
Law school graduate with at least two years of litigation experience; admitted to, or eligible to apply for, admission to Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio or Washington DC bar. Strong academic record, excellent writing, analytical and communication skills. Litigation experience and engagement on policy and political issues is a strong plus. Commitment to public interest advocacy and ELPC’s mission. Strong work ethic, good judgment, initiative, and creativity. Interest and knowledge in clean air and water, climate change, energy, environmental and natural resources laws. Ability to work productively as part of a team of professionals. Salary note : For September 2026 start, salary ranges of around $98,940 - $106,000 based on years of active legal practice following law school graduation. Geographical variations may apply for ELPC offices in other locations. ELPC encourages applicants to seek funding to support salary from sources such as law schools’ public interest grants. ELPC offers a nationally competitive salary and excellent benefits. As a 501(c)(3) organization, ELPC is a qualifying employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program. Application Process
Please include the following with your application: Resume One-page cover letter detailing interests and qualifications for ELPC’s Public Interest Litigation Fellowship and why you are attracted to ELPC’s mission; indicate any particular legal, environmental, or social justice issues that inspire you Three professional references Also be ready to provide (upon request): (1) Law school transcript; (2) A writing sample – a legal memorandum for which you were the principal writer and the memo was unedited or lightly edited by someone else. Important dates : Preference given to candidates who apply by October 15, 2025. Applications reviewed on a rolling basis until positions are filled.
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