Associate Attorney  

The Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC) is currently accepting applications for an Associate Attorney position in our Atlanta, GA office to start as soon as possible. The associate role is an entry-level position open to recent law school graduates, attorneys completing clerkships, and practicing attorneys.  

This is an excellent opportunity to be part of an organization that is successfully addressing some of the most important and challenging environmental and public health issues in the South and the nation. Associates gain valuable experience and knowledge working with experienced attorneys on litigation and legal advocacy in state and federal courts and before regulatory agencies.    

The term for an associate position is three years, with the potential for an additional three-year term. SELC has a hybrid work model that offers employees the flexibility to work remotely up to two days per week. This is a full-time, exempt position and all employees must reside in our region.   

Primary Responsibilities:   

SELC Associate Attorneys are entrusted with substantial responsibility and contribute to the success of our litigation and other legal advocacy. Working under the supervision of Staff and Senior Attorneys, SELC Associates are expected to:   

• Collaborate and cultivate strong relationships with clients, partners and other stakeholders.  
• Contribute to litigation teams by conducting legal research, drafting briefs and pleadings, preparing witnesses, developing factual records, conducting and responding to discovery, and coordinating with clients and counsel.  
• Advocate in administrative proceedings by researching and drafting comments, coordinating coalition partners, and speaking at public meetings.  
• Engage in policy development and analysis in various settings at the state and federal level.   
• Provide diligent and professional support to each matter assigned, produce high quality work product and work independently to implement program and office work plans.     
• Meet internal and external deadlines and communicate regularly with supervisors and colleagues about the status of projects. This includes demonstrating excellent verbal and written communication, interpersonal and organizational abilities.     
• Take initiative by looking beyond specific assignments to contribute original insight and strategies to support the project, the office, the program and SELC’s mission.     
• Take on progressively more substantial responsibility and seek out opportunities for practice experience across SELC’s advocacy tools.  

Qualifications:   

• Strong academic background and personal commitment to SELC’s mission.  
• 0-3 years of post-law school professional experience.    
• Licensed or able to become licensed in the state where practicing.  
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and an ability to build and maintain effective relationships with a diverse set of clients and partners.    
• Strong work ethic and sense of initiative, with demonstrated ability to meet internal and external deadlines and support SELC’s collegial and collaborative approach in all interactions.    
• A genuine interest in and commitment to helping SELC foster a more diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace.  
• Litigation experience and/or background in environmental law is preferred, and we value a demonstrated commitment to working with communities of color and other vulnerable communities.  

About SELC:   

The Southern Environmental Law Center is one of the nation’s most powerful defenders of the environment, rooted in the South. With a long track record, SELC takes on the toughest environmental challenges in court, in government, and in our communities to protect our region’s air, water, climate, wildlife, lands, and people. Nonprofit and nonpartisan, the organization has a staff of over 200, including more than 130 legal and policy experts, and is headquartered in Charlottesville, VA, with offices in Asheville, Atlanta, Birmingham, Chapel Hill, Charleston, Nashville, Richmond, and Washington, DC.  

At our core, we are place-based, rooted in our region, and connected with the communities and clients we serve. We believe in an equitable and inclusive workplace that reflects the rich racial and cultural diversity of our region and allows diverse perspectives to come to the forefront. We approach our work with the highest level of integrity, holding ourselves to high standards with an emphasis on honesty, accountability, and thoughtfulness. We value collaboration and camaraderie, realizing we are strongest when we work together and knowing that everyone has a critical role to play. We strive for impact through a strategic, bold, pragmatic, and ambitious outlook that is dedicated to achieving powerful results. We believe in these values and in the power of SELC. We hope you consider joining us. Learn more at https://www.southernenvironment.org/.   

Compensation:   

The salary range is $79,000-$92,300, depending on experience, and SELC offers an excellent benefits package. For more details about our benefits package, please visit our Careers page.  

Associate attorneys must be licensed in the state in which they are practicing. SELC will reimburse the cost of the bar exam plus a reasonable amount for bar exam related costs, including a prep course and study materials.   

SELC is a PSLF (Public Service Loan Forgiveness) eligible employer.     

SELC will also provide relocation reimbursement for those relocating for an SELC position, up to a specific dollar amount and contingent on the move being at least 50 miles from their current primary address.  

To Apply:     

To apply, click on the ‘Apply Now’ button below to be directed to an online application where you may upload your application materials. Applicants must submit a cover letter, resume, writing sample, law school transcript or grade report (with date of birth and social security number redacted), and three references. 

The deadline for applications is Thursday 09/26/2024. We encourage interested applicants to apply as soon as possible, as we evaluate and hire on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Click here to learn more about SELC’s application and interview process and click here to learn more about our hiring process generally.   

SELC is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to fostering an inclusive workplace environment. We are eager to welcome new team members who share this commitment. We still have much progress to make, but our goal is to create and maintain a staff that, at every level, reflects the rich racial and cultural diversity of the communities where we work and the clients that we serve. Persons of all backgrounds—including people of color, women, people with disabilities, veterans, and LGBTQ candidates—are strongly encouraged to apply.