Summer Law Clerk

Job Description

2027 Oceans Clerkship | Earthjustice

The Tone:
This is a temporary summer law clerkship with Earthjustice, a prominent environmental law organization operating across the United States. Earthjustice, founded in 1971, is a distinguished organization dedicated to wielding the power of law and the strength of partnership to achieve lasting environmental protections for people’s health, magnificent places and wildlife, clean energy, and climate change. This role is crucial in supporting the Oceans Program’s mission to safeguard oceans and marine life from threats such as overfishing, oil and gas drilling, and habitat degradation, allowing clerks to contribute directly to complex legal cases and litigation strategy.

The TL;DR
• Role: Early Career
• Type: Temporary (10 weeks long at full-time hours, 37.5 hours/week)
• Location: In-person, US offices (proximate to or in an office where the program is located)
• Pay: $1,382.00 weekly stipend (dependent on external funding, with Earthjustice providing a one-time stipend minus other sources and applicable taxes)
• Team: Part of Earthjustice’s Oceans Program, which consists of 10 full-time attorneys, a litigation paralegal, and litigation assistant; clerks will work with several attorneys.
• Mission: To protect oceans and ocean wildlife from threats such as overfishing, oil and gas drilling, and habitat degradation, both domestically and internationally.

What You’ll Actually Do
• Strategy Development: Collaborate with attorneys on case development and litigation strategy, encompassing both international and domestic ocean matters.
• Legal Drafting: Prepare legal pleadings and briefs for cases primarily litigated in federal court.
• Research & Theory: Conduct comprehensive legal research and contribute to the development of legal theories to protect marine ecosystems and vulnerable species.
• Case Engagement: Gather evidence, attend client meetings, and observe court proceedings related to ocean protection efforts.
• Professional Growth: Participate in programmatic offerings, including in-person and virtual seminars with attorneys and guest speakers on current environmental issues, interactions with environmental groups, and a job interview workshop.

The Must-Haves
• Background: Candidates must be actively enrolled in a U.S. law school through fall 2027, with an expected graduation date no earlier than December 2027. This is an early career position for law students.
• Experience: The ability to commit to a full-time, ten-week clerkship during summer 2027 is essential. Demonstrated strong legal writing skills are required, as evidenced by a recent legal writing sample of no more than 10 pages.
• Skills: Proficiency in legal research, legal writing, strategic thinking for litigation, and evidence collection.
• Bonus: A demonstrated interest in Earthjustice’s mission, particularly in protecting people’s health, preserving magnificent places and wildlife, advancing clean energy, and combating climate change. Specific inspiration from particular environmental or public interest issues is also a plus.