Summer Law Clerk – Community Partnerships

Job Description

2027 Community Partnerships Clerkship | Earthjustice

The Tone:
This is a temporary summer law clerkship at Earthjustice, requiring in-person work proximate to one of its U.S. offices. Earthjustice is a prominent environmental law organization, founded in 1971, that strategically uses the power of law and strong partnerships to safeguard public health, conserve vital ecosystems and wildlife, accelerate the transition to clean energy, and vigorously address climate change. This clerkship is specifically within the Community Partnerships Program, where you will contribute to efforts that challenge harmful social and political systems and hold polluters accountable. Your work will directly support community-led movements aimed at eliminating environmental hazards and expanding access to environmental benefits for neighborhoods nationwide, reinforcing Earthjustice’s distinguished track record of achieving significant and lasting protections.

The TL;DR
• Role: Early Career Law Clerk
• Type: Temporary, full-time (10 weeks)
• Location: In-person, proximate to an Earthjustice office in the U.S.
• Pay: $1,382.00 weekly
• Team: Community Partnerships Program, working with several attorneys on case development and litigation strategy.
• Mission: To support deep partnerships with frontline communities, challenge harmful systems, and enforce environmental laws to improve environmental health and expand access to environmental benefits.

What You’ll Actually Do
• Develop Strategy: Collaborate with attorneys to develop comprehensive case strategies and refine legal theories for ongoing and prospective litigation.
• Draft Documents: Prepare and draft various legal pleadings and briefs essential for environmental protection cases.
• Conduct Research: Perform in-depth legal research to support litigation efforts and inform strategic decisions for community partnership initiatives.
• Gather Evidence: Collect and organize evidence crucial for building cases and holding polluters accountable for threats to health, safety, and quality of life.
• Attend Proceedings: Participate in client meetings and observe court proceedings, gaining practical exposure to environmental law in action.
• Engage Programmatically: Attend seminars with attorneys and guest speakers on current environmental issues, interact with other environmental groups, and participate in a job interview workshop.

The Must-Haves
• Background: Enrollment in a U.S. law school is required, with candidates needing to be enrolled through fall 2027 (not graduating before December 2027). This represents an entry-level opportunity for law students.
• Experience: Availability to commit to a full-time, ten-week clerkship during summer 2027 is essential. The ability to articulate relevant aspects of your background and your interest in Earthjustice’s mission in a cover letter is part of the application process.
• Skills: Demonstrated ability in legal research and legal writing, strategic thinking for litigation, and gathering evidence. A strong interest in particular environmental or public interest issues is valued.