Associate Attorney

The Southern Environmental Law Center is seeking an Associate Attorney in our Atlanta, GA office. This individual will join a team of highly qualified attorneys and legal support/administrative staff, reporting to the Georgia Office Director. This is an excellent opportunity to join a highly successful, nationally recognized organization that is effectively addressing some of the most pressing and challenging environmental issues throughout the South and the nation.

The Associate Attorney position is an entry-level position open to recent law school graduates, attorneys completing clerkships, and practicing attorneys. The term for an associate position is three years, with the potential for an additional three-year term.

SELC currently has a hybrid work model that offers employees the flexibility to work at home two days per week. This is a full-time, exempt position and employees must reside in our region.

Primary Responsibilities:

SELC’s 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 SELC’s 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.
• Take on progressively more substantial responsibility and seek out opportunities for practice experience across SELC’s advocacy tools.

Required 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 Georgia.
• Excellent verbal and written communication, interpersonal and organizational abilities.
• A 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 create and foster a more diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace. You engage in ongoing personal learning and are eager to contribute to our organizational efforts in this area.

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 & Benefits:

SELC offers salaries competitive with other leading environmental nonprofits nationally and provides an excellent benefits package. The starting salary range for this position is $79,000- $92,000, commensurate with experience. For more details about our benefits package, please visit our Careers page.

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

SELC also reimburses relocation expenses, up to a specific dollar amount, for those relocating at least 50 miles from their current primary address for an SELC position.

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, law school transcript, one writing sample, and three references. The deadline to apply is Friday March 29^th, 2024. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

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.