Environmental Law & Policy Center
Associate Attorney - 2 year term with potential for extension
Environmental Law & Policy Center, Chicago, Illinois, United States, 60290
Overview
The Environmental Law & Policy Center (ELPC) plans to hire two public interest attorneys with at least 2 years of legal experience following law school 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 public interest litigation and 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. ELPC emphasizes effective legal and policy advocacy supported by economic analysis, science, and public engagement. LOCATION: Chicago or Washington, DC with a hybrid work environment. This is an excellent opportunity for early-career attorneys committed 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. ELPC’s multidisciplinary staff brings together public interest attorneys, policy advocates, data scientists and communications specialists to solve environmental problems and improve community quality of life. ELPC’s headquarters are in downtown Chicago, with additional offices across the Midwest and in Washington, DC. Please visit www.ELPC.org. ELPC was honored by the American Bar Association’s 2023 Award for Excellence in Environmental, Energy, and Resources Stewardship, recognizing ELPC’s leadership on sustainable environmental and energy advocacy.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Engage with ELPC’s Executive Director and Managing/Senior Attorneys on litigation and climate action policy initiatives for ELPC’s multidisciplinary teams. Assist on special projects. Current docket includes litigation and advocacy to challenge rollbacks of Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act protections, promote clean energy solutions (including distributed energy resources and storage), protect environmental justice communities and the Great Lakes from toxics pollution, and safeguard the Midwest’s natural areas. Watch a current example 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. Specific responsibilities include: work with ELPC attorneys, scientists, policy specialists, clients, and partners to build cases and support policies protecting the environment and public health; engage in federal and state court litigation and administrative advocacy (preparing briefs and motions, legal research and analysis, administrative comments, memorandum writing, negotiation, discovery); participate in efforts combining legislative advocacy, communications, and litigation; collaborate with clients, allies, coalitions, co-counsel, and experts.
QUALIFICATIONS
Law school graduate with at least two years of litigation experience and admitted to, or eligible to apply for admission to Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio or Washington, D.C. bar. Strong academic record, excellent writing, analytical and communications skills. Litigation experience and engagement on policy and political issues is a strong plus. Demonstrated commitment to public interest advocacy and ELPC’s mission. Strong work ethic, good judgment, initiative, and creativity. Substantive knowledge of at least one of: clean air and clean water, climate change, energy, environmental, and natural resources laws. Interest in multifaceted public policy advocacy coordinated with media, legislative, economic and policy analysis. Ability to work productively as part of a team of professionals.
SALARY
For September 2026 starting date, salary ranges of around $98,940 – $106,000 based on years of active legal practice following law school graduation, with appropriate geographic variations for ELPC offices in other locations. ELPC encourages applicants to seek funding from sources such as law schools’ public interest grants to support salary. 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 explaining your interests and qualifications for ELPC’s Public Interest Litigation Fellowship, and why you are attracted to ELPC’s mission and any particular issues that inspire you Three professional references Please also be ready to provide (upon request): (1) Law school transcript; and (2) A writing sample – legal memorandum for which you were the principal writer. 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.
ELPC considers applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. If you are unable to apply online due to a disability, please email for assistance with a reference to the specific job(s) you are interested in.
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The Environmental Law & Policy Center (ELPC) plans to hire two public interest attorneys with at least 2 years of legal experience following law school 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 public interest litigation and 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. ELPC emphasizes effective legal and policy advocacy supported by economic analysis, science, and public engagement. LOCATION: Chicago or Washington, DC with a hybrid work environment. This is an excellent opportunity for early-career attorneys committed 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. ELPC’s multidisciplinary staff brings together public interest attorneys, policy advocates, data scientists and communications specialists to solve environmental problems and improve community quality of life. ELPC’s headquarters are in downtown Chicago, with additional offices across the Midwest and in Washington, DC. Please visit www.ELPC.org. ELPC was honored by the American Bar Association’s 2023 Award for Excellence in Environmental, Energy, and Resources Stewardship, recognizing ELPC’s leadership on sustainable environmental and energy advocacy.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Engage with ELPC’s Executive Director and Managing/Senior Attorneys on litigation and climate action policy initiatives for ELPC’s multidisciplinary teams. Assist on special projects. Current docket includes litigation and advocacy to challenge rollbacks of Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act protections, promote clean energy solutions (including distributed energy resources and storage), protect environmental justice communities and the Great Lakes from toxics pollution, and safeguard the Midwest’s natural areas. Watch a current example 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. Specific responsibilities include: work with ELPC attorneys, scientists, policy specialists, clients, and partners to build cases and support policies protecting the environment and public health; engage in federal and state court litigation and administrative advocacy (preparing briefs and motions, legal research and analysis, administrative comments, memorandum writing, negotiation, discovery); participate in efforts combining legislative advocacy, communications, and litigation; collaborate with clients, allies, coalitions, co-counsel, and experts.
QUALIFICATIONS
Law school graduate with at least two years of litigation experience and admitted to, or eligible to apply for admission to Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio or Washington, D.C. bar. Strong academic record, excellent writing, analytical and communications skills. Litigation experience and engagement on policy and political issues is a strong plus. Demonstrated commitment to public interest advocacy and ELPC’s mission. Strong work ethic, good judgment, initiative, and creativity. Substantive knowledge of at least one of: clean air and clean water, climate change, energy, environmental, and natural resources laws. Interest in multifaceted public policy advocacy coordinated with media, legislative, economic and policy analysis. Ability to work productively as part of a team of professionals.
SALARY
For September 2026 starting date, salary ranges of around $98,940 – $106,000 based on years of active legal practice following law school graduation, with appropriate geographic variations for ELPC offices in other locations. ELPC encourages applicants to seek funding from sources such as law schools’ public interest grants to support salary. 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 explaining your interests and qualifications for ELPC’s Public Interest Litigation Fellowship, and why you are attracted to ELPC’s mission and any particular issues that inspire you Three professional references Please also be ready to provide (upon request): (1) Law school transcript; and (2) A writing sample – legal memorandum for which you were the principal writer. 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.
ELPC considers applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. If you are unable to apply online due to a disability, please email for assistance with a reference to the specific job(s) you are interested in.
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