Law Clerk Program

Earthjustice provides a training ground for law students interested in using their skills to advocate for a clean and healthful environment through our law clerk programs in each regional office. For currently available positions, visit Student Opportunities.

Summer Clerk Program

During the summer months, students from law schools across the country participate as interns in every aspect of Earthjustice's litigation and environmental advocacy program.

Each clerk has the opportunity to work with several attorneys on case development and litigation. Students may draft pleadings and briefs, do legal research, develop strategy and legal theories, gather evidence, and attend client meetings and court proceedings.

The summer clerk program also offers students seminars with attorneys in the office and with guest speakers on current environmental issues, as well as opportunities to interact with other local and regional groups active in the environmental community.

Summer 2024 law clerkship opportunities will be posted in May 2023.

Spring and Fall Extern Program

During the fall and spring semesters, student externs can receive full academic credit from participating law schools for time spent working with Earthjustice.

This experience exposes students to a wide variety of techniques that are part of a strategic litigation practice and provides an opportunity to explore and understand environmental law.

We encourage students to check with their law schools to determine if they can participate in the program.

About Clerkships in Earthjustice’s Regional Offices and Programs

Learn about each of Earthjustice’s regional offices and programs, and the type of work that law clerks can expect.

Working at Earthjustice

Hybrid Work

Earthjustice employs a “team-centered” approach to hybrid work, where teams collaboratively shape their unique workflow, including what work location — virtual or in-office — is best for them and the tasks at hand.

COVID-19 Vaccination Policy

Earthjustice recognizes the vital role COVID-19 vaccines play in keeping staff safe. The importance of in-person activities (travel, court appearances, staff meetings, etc.) underscore the need for staff to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

As a result, Earthjustice requires staff to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment consistent with applicable law. Earthjustice defines being fully vaccinated as having received all recommended COVID-19 vaccines, including any booster dose(s) when eligible, per CDC guidance.

Earthjustice is an equal opportunity employer

As an equal opportunity employer, Earthjustice is committed to employment practices that ensure that employees and applicants for employment are provided with equal opportunities without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, or any other factor that is not related to the position.

Fair Chance Hiring

Earthjustice will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act, and any applicable local ordinance, such as the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Act, or the Los Angeles City Fair Chance Initiative. You do not need to disclose your criminal history or participate in a background check until a conditional job offer is made to you.

After making a conditional offer and running a background check, if Earthjustice is concerned about conviction that is directly related to the job, you will be given the chance to explain the circumstances surrounding the conviction, provide mitigating evidence, or challenge the accuracy of the background report.

Our Values

Earthjustice is driven by a passion for justice, partnership, inclusion, and excellence. Our core values lead us to seek a broad range of perspectives and backgrounds to achieve our mission and to maintain an inclusive environment where all staff are valued and respected.

Our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion

Green 2.0 Pay Equity Pledge

As part of Green 2.0’s Transparency Report Card, Earthjustice is committed to ensuring pay equity for people of color.

Live Well, Work Well

Earthjustice offers a competitive compensation plan, as well as a comprehensive benefits package. We pay 100% of all health and welfare benefits premiums for the employee.

Our health coverage includes medical, dental, prescription, vision and alternative care. We are proud to offer a generous vacation, sick leave, and disability benefit package. Additional benefits include retirement plan, flexible spending account, company sponsored life insurance, and more.

Earthjustice also offers six weeks of fully paid sabbatical leave, following 10 years of continuous employment.

As a 501(c)3 organization, Earthjustice is a qualifying employer for purposes of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.