[Hiring] Law Clerk @Center for Biological Diversity

Role Description

The Center for Biological Diversity’s Florida & Caribbean office seeks a diligent and enthusiastic Law Clerk with a demonstrated interest in public interest environmental law to assist program attorneys with work to protect terrestrial, aquatic, and marine species and their habitat in Florida and the Caribbean.

Assignments will center around litigation, administrative advocacy, and policy development to address a variety of issues relevant to the region, including but not limited to:

• Endangered species conservation
• Land use
• Climate change
• Freshwater and wetland protection
• Toxic pollution
• Landscape-scale conservation

Law clerks will primarily work with regional program attorneys but may also have opportunities to work with staff in other conservation programs.

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Research and draft legal memoranda to inform litigation and conservation advocacy
• Research and draft filings and petitions (e.g., notices of intent to sue, complaints, briefs, regulatory petitions)
• Draft formal comments in response to federal, state, and local agency proposals
• Assist with interviewing experts
• Investigate new matters
• Collaborate with coalitions and partners
• Advocate orally before federal, state, and local agencies (as opportunities arise)
• Observe court arguments and hearings (as opportunities arise)
• Assist with preparing creative media and educational materials for campaigns (as opportunities arise)
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned

Areas in Which Skills Will Be Gained

Clerks will gain experience in legal research and writing, and environmental advocacy, particularly in the natural resources area, drawing on litigation, science, media, and grassroots organizing strategies to fight for wildlife and their habitats.

Qualifications

• Must be a 2L, 3L, or LLM student during the Spring 2027 semester
• Strong research and writing skills
• Comfort with independent and self-motivated work
• Familiarity with environmental and administrative law preferred
• Background in environmental or biological studies or related experience preferred

Working Conditions

This position is primarily remote, meaning you will be working in a remote office environment of your choosing. There will be opportunities for in-person meetings, attendance at hearings, and field visits if candidates are in the Tampa Bay area in Florida. Litigation-related work will be completed under firm deadlines.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to process and analyze information: Frequently
• Exchange accurate information: Frequently
• Communicate and express oneself with others: Frequently
• Interaction with other colleagues: Frequently
• Interaction with the public/co-collaborators: Occasionally
• Reading (ingest data): Frequently
• Working on a computer: Frequently
• Typing: Frequently
• Writing by hand: Occasionally
• Sitting: Frequently
• Walking: Occasionally
• Standing: Occasionally
• Lift/Carry 0-25 lbs: Rarely
• Lift/Carry 25-75 lbs: Rarely
• Hiking: Rarely
• Climbing up or down stairs: Rarely
• Bending: Rarely
• Squatting: Rarely
• Reaching overhead: Rarely
• Repetitive motions: Frequently
• Ability to drive: Rarely

Benefits

• 403(b) plan
• Paid sick days accrue at a rate of 1 hour for every 30 hours worked
• Relaxed work atmosphere and dress code

How to Apply

Please apply online by completing our application and submitting a pdf that includes a cover letter, resume, writing sample, transcripts, and reference list. The position will remain open until filled. The desired start date is January 11, 2027. Only applicants selected for interviews will be contacted. No telephone calls, please.