Managing Attorney, Toxic Exposure and Health Program

Earthjustice is the nation’s largest, oldest, and most active public-interest environmental law organization. Our team of more than 550 staff — including more than 200 lawyers — wields the power of law and the strength of partnership to protect public health, address environmental injustice, defend and restore magnificent places and irreplaceable ecosystems, and transition our economy to 100% clean energy while working to protect people and the planet from climate change. We partner with thousands of groups, tribes, individuals, and communities to address the environmental crises of our time. We are here because the earth needs a good lawyer. 

Founded in 1971, Earthjustice has a distinguished track record of achieving significant, lasting environmental protections. We achieve this by hiring excellent staff who share a passion for justice and a healthy environment. Our headquarters are in San Francisco with offices in Anchorage, Juneau, Los Angeles, Tallahassee, Miami, Chicago, Honolulu, Houston, New Orleans, New York, Philadelphia, Denver, Seattle, Bozeman, and Washington, D.C. 

Earthjustice seeks a Managing Attorney for its Toxic Exposure and Health Program (TEH). This program helps to lead the fight for healthy families, homes, workplaces, and communities. The Program engages in litigation and policy advocacy related to the many ways that people are exposed to toxic chemicals and the regulatory programs that are designed to prevent such exposures. Priority bodies of work for this team include improving implementation of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA); addressing harmful exposure to lead; protecting people from exposure to especially harmful and/or prevalent chemicals like per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), petrochemicals, and pesticides; securing effective regulation of hazardous chemicals in products, including personal care products, children’s products, and food ; and generally improving risk assessment in the regulatory context. The Toxic Exposure and Health team also contributes to state-level legislative and policy work in places like New York and works in collaboration with other Earthjustice offices and programs to inform and support other toxics-related efforts (e.g., related to fossil fuels and hazardous air pollution). The staff are located primarily in the New York City region, with several staff elsewhere on the east coast (D.C., Philadelphia, Maine). 

The Managing Attorney will supervise the litigation and policy advocacy of the staff, oversee the day-to-day operations of the program, develop and maintain relationships with clients, partners, and funders, and serve as a primary public face of the Toxic Exposure and Health Program. The Managing Attorney will coordinate closely with the VP of Litigation for Healthy Communities on substantive strategy and management and will represent the Program on internal advisory bodies and in organizational strategic planning. 

Responsibilities 

• Lead the TEH Program in shaping its litigation and legal advocacy docket and related strategies, consistent with institutional priorities and strategic plan objectives, and participate directly in related litigation.
• Build and maintain effective working relationships with clients, community and organizational partners, government agencies, and coalitions. 
• Work collaboratively with the Earthjustice Policy and Legislation, Development, and Communications teams, and with Earthjustice Regional Offices to advance programmatic and institutional goals.
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with key funders to support the work of the Toxic Exposure and Health Program, working in partnership with our Development department.
• Serve as a primary public face of the program and the organization on issues related to toxic exposures and chemical regulation, including by working effectively with the news media, government officials, and donors.
• Actively collaborate with the VP of Litigation for Healthy Communities on vision, strategy, goals, priority setting, metrics, management, and administrative matters.
• Ensure that the TEH team maintains a top-notch legal program that is consistent with the values, policies, and priorities of Earthjustice.
• Serve as an active member of the Managing Attorneys group to help provide institutional leadership and set broader institutional priorities and direction.

• Manage and lead a diverse team, with seven direct reports, in a diverse environment with an emphasis on emotional intelligence, cultural competency, and maintaining a positive and cohesive team dynamic.
• Directly supervise staff and oversee the administrative functions of the program.
• Manage, mentor, and develop the professional and administrative staff, helping them to hone their legal and professional skills to reach their full potential.
• Effects and manages organizational and program change through strategic thinking, transparent communication, and inclusive leadership, consistent with the objectives of an evolving organization.
• Communicate institutional vision, policies, objectives, and initiatives to staff within the program, to keep them abreast of organizational changes and developments.
• Develop practices and policies within the TEH Program that promote a respectful and inclusive workplace, and that foster community and teamwork among a diverse group of lawyers and non-lawyers.
• Recruit and hire qualified candidates to support and grow a diverse and highly effective team.
• Provide staff with consistent and ongoing performance feedback, and act as a coach and mentor, while providing career development opportunities with appropriate training, encouragement, and supervision.
• Promote inclusive work environment and model inclusive behaviors for the TEH program and for cross-organizational teams.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications 

• Highly effective litigator with substantial experience in environmental or public interest law, and 10+ years of litigation experience.
• JD required. 
• Admitted to the NY or D.C. bar, or able to accomplish admittance within one year of employment.
• Excellent management skills with at least 5 years of experience managing litigation or legal advocacy teams in a diverse and inclusive environment.
• Self-awareness and understanding of the impact of behavior and emotional intelligence in the workplace.

Program (Essential Skills) 

• Outstanding litigation skills, including the ability to supervise a complex litigation docket and to guide litigation across a range of subject matters, while nurturing the development of budding litigators.
• Demonstrated ability to successfully develop and implement strategic vision for litigation or advocacy programs that deploy multifaceted approaches to achieve identified goals.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills with experience working with political and community leaders and the media.
• Litigation experience under relevant statutes (such as TSCA, the Clean Air Act, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, the Safe Drinking Water Act, the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and/or the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act), or deep familiarity and experience with public interest litigation that requires similar legal and technical expertise.
• Familiarity with environmental, nonprofit, or professional legal communities engaged in toxic exposure and health-related advocacy is a significant plus.
• Commitment to making Earthjustice a highly effective, cutting-edge litigation and legal advocacy shop.
• Entrepreneurial approach with proven ability to identify new opportunities that have lasting impact while also working collaboratively with other subject matter, regional, and national teams.
• Experience and comfort dealing with health data and other science-based materials in the advocacy context.
• Proven ability to partner with other organizations productively and respectfully, including community-based organizations, to identify and achieve objectives.
• Proven ability to maintain positive long-term relationships with clients, partners, and agencies.
• Commitment to fundraising and developing ongoing relationships with donors, especially individual donors and foundation representatives.
• Proven ability to manage operations, including budgets and programs.
• Willing to travel as needed.

Management (Essential Skills) 

• Experience in and commitment to managing diverse staff by fostering mutual respect, effective internal communication, collaboration, inclusivity, and transparent decision-making.
• Demonstrated experience and interest in coaching, guiding, and mentoring a diverse workforce (including attorneys and non-attorneys) at different stages of their careers to continuously improve their effectiveness and reach their full potential.
• Deep appreciation for and meaningful experience in cultivating a diverse workplace that lives the values of justice and inclusivity, that provides the support needed for all team members to thrive, and that is sensitive to the needs and concerns of individuals from diverse cultures, backgrounds and orientations.
• Understanding of how racism and institutional bias affect present-day legal systems, and how race dynamics can impact supervisory relationships and organizational culture. Demonstrated history of successful leadership that embodies inclusive values and justice.
• Understands individual and team strengths and areas for development and develops plans accordingly.
• Significant experience recruiting, hiring, developing and retaining a diverse and inclusive workforce.

We offer a competitive salary and excellent benefits that are comprehensive and competitive. Salary is based on number of years of relevant experience and location. 

Salary range in New York City: $225,900 - $251,000 

Salary range in Washington, D.C.: $214,700 - $238,500 

To Apply: 

Please apply online via Jobvite by November 2, 2023. Applications received after that date will be reviewed on a rolling basis. 

Interested candidates should submit the following online via the Jobvite system: 

• Cover letter addressing:
  1. your interest in, and qualifications for, serving as a Managing Attorney
  2. why you are drawn to Earthjustice’s mission and the Toxic Exposure and Health program
  3. your leadership and management experience
  4. aspects of your background that demonstrate competence to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in work with clients and colleagues.
• Resume
• Three professional references
• Writing sample, preferably a legal brief or memorandum that primarily reflects your work.

The application screening process is ongoing until a candidate is hired. 

Please reach out to jobs@earthjustice.org if you are having technical difficulties submitting your application. No phone calls, drop-ins, or hard copies. 

Earthjustice is driven by a passion for justice, partnership, 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. As an equal opportunity employer, we are 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, gender expression, genetic information, or any other factor that is not related to the position. 

For positions located within the City and County of San Francisco Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment-qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. 

For positions located within the City of Los Angeles: We will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring.