Summer Law Clerk – Oceans Program

Job Description

2027 Oceans Clerkship | Earthjustice

The Tone:
This is a temporary, full-time summer clerkship with Earthjustice, requiring work proximate to or in an office where the program is located, within the U.S. Earthjustice, founded in 1971, is a prominent environmental law organization known for its distinguished track record in achieving significant, lasting environmental protections. The organization leverages the power of law and partnerships to protect public health, preserve magnificent places and wildlife, advance clean energy, and combat climate change, often taking on precedent-setting cases. This role specifically supports the Oceans Program, a dedicated team of 10 full-time attorneys, a litigation paralegal, and a litigation assistant, focused on protecting oceans and ocean wildlife from critical threats such as overfishing, oil and gas drilling, and habitat degradation. As a summer law clerk, you will actively contribute to both international and domestic ocean matters, playing a vital part in protecting marine ecosystems and vulnerable species.

The TL;DR
• Role: Early Career, Law Clerk
• Type: Temporary (10-week duration), Full-time (37.5 hours per week)
• Location: U.S. based (working proximate to or in an office where the program is located)
• Pay: $1,382.00 weekly stipend (adjusted based on any external funding secured)
• Team: Oceans Program, comprised of 10 full-time attorneys, a litigation paralegal, and a litigation assistant, operating within Earthjustice’s broader legal framework.
• Mission: Apply legal expertise to protect oceans and ocean wildlife from threats like overfishing, oil and gas drilling, and habitat degradation, through federal court litigation, advocacy, and strengthening international provisions in U.S. fisheries management laws.

What You’ll Actually Do
• Litigation Support: Collaborate with multiple attorneys on the Oceans Program team to develop legal cases and refine litigation strategy for complex environmental matters.
• Legal Document Preparation: Draft a variety of legal documents, including pleadings and briefs, for cases primarily litigated in federal court.
• Strategic Development: Conduct thorough legal research to identify key precedents and develop innovative legal theories to advance ocean protection.
• Evidence Management: Systematically gather and organize evidence essential for supporting legal arguments and case development.
• Professional Development: Actively participate in client meetings and attend court proceedings, gaining practical exposure to the legal system.
• Educational Engagement: Benefit from programmatic offerings such as in-person and virtual seminars led by attorneys and guest speakers on current environmental issues, engage with other local and regional environmental groups, and participate in a job interview workshop.

The Must-Haves
• Background: Must be currently enrolled in a U.S. law school, with an academic timeline that ensures graduation will not occur before December 2027.
• Experience: Ability to commit to a full-time, 10-week clerkship during summer 2027, with the requirement to work from within the U.S. throughout the clerkship.
• Skills: Demonstrated proficiency in legal research, legal writing, developing comprehensive legal theories, and strategic thinking applicable to environmental litigation.