Crag Law Center job announcement

ASSOCIATE ATTORNEY POSITION

Crag Law Center is offering a two-year fellowship as an Associate Attorney starting in the fall of 2009.  Our ideal candidate has at least 1 to 3 years of litigation experience, which could include recent graduates with significant experience gained while in law school and/or through a judicial clerkship.  The position could begin sooner depending on availability of the candidate.     

The Crag Law Center has brought cutting edge public interest litigation to protect the environment and public health in the Pacific Northwest for almost seven years.  Our core work includes protecting wild salmon and aquatic habitat, safeguarding public lands from resource protection, holding polluters accountable, and protecting farm and forestland from shortsighted development.  Our work is client-focused and driven by the needs of the community groups we represent.  We work with and represent national, regional, and local conservation organizations, Indian tribes, fishermen, family farmers, recreation groups and other organizations and individuals concerned about enforcing the laws to protect people and the environment.  

We have a fun and friendly work environment of 3 attorneys, 1 support staff, and numerous law students and volunteers.  We have an active and engaged volunteer board of directors and outreach and fundraising committee.  We run the team out of shared office space in Downtown Portland on the edge of the Pearl District.  We are committed to doing work of exceptional quality, and we have a great time doing it.  

Qualifications and Responsibilities:   First and foremost, we are looking for someone with a demonstrated commitment to public interest environmental law and the protection of our shared natural resources.  The candidate must also have excellent legal research and writing skills and an ability to participate effectively in a small, team-oriented environment.  We are looking for an individual who is creative, motivated, collaborative, and able to thrive in a fast-paced environment with a sense of humor and a commitment to our clients.  Familiarity with environmental and/or administrative law is required.  Admission to the Oregon State bar will be required in the first year.  The position is based in our office in Portland, Oregon.  

The person hired for this position will fill a two-year Associate Attorney position on our team with the possibility of making the position permanent.    The Associate Attorney will focus on representing Alaskan Native groups on the North Slope of Alaska as part of Crags Environmental Justice Project.  That work will involve administrative advocacy and the development and implementation of federal litigation on issues related to offshore oil and gas development, climate change and potentially other issues.  The work will require periodic travel to the North Slope and close contact and outreach with Native organizations and communities.   

The Associate Attorney will also support Crags staff attorneys in our Public Lands Program and our Water Quality Program.  Through these programs, we work on protecting old-growth forest and aquatic habitat and bringing Clean Water Act permit challenges and enforcement actions.  The Associate Attorney will be called upon to assist with grant writing and fundraising in support of this work, supervising and mentoring law students and interns to expand the reach of the work, developing communication and outreach materials in support of the work, and providing additional assistance to our clients in all areas of campaign strategy execution.   

Compensation and Benefits:

The Crag Law Center offers a competitive and non-hierarchical salary and benefits package.  The Associate Attorney will be compensated commensurate with her/his experience and with the other members of our team.  We encourage our team members to pursue their passions outside of work and provide a supportive vacation policy for our staff to achieve those goals.   Applications Should be Submitted in Writing to:   Crag Law Center Associate Attorney Search 917 SW Oak, Suite 417 Portland, OR 97205.   Please send a cover letter, resume, writing sample, law school transcript (unofficial is acceptable) and list of references, printed double-sided on post-consumer paper to our office.   If selected for consideration, the applicant will be asked to engage in writing and advocacy exercises to allow us to assess the applicants skills and qualifications.  This position will be open until filled.   The Crag Law Center is an equal opportunity employer. We strongly encourage applications from people of color, women, and others who will contribute to the diversity of our staff.  Because a core focus of the work is on the North Slope, Alaskan Natives are strongly encouraged to apply.      

# # # Megan HookerCrag Law Center917 SW Oak St, Suite 417 Portland, OR 97205 Phone: 503-525-2724 Fax: 503-296-5454 [email protected]   Crag is a client-focused law center supporting community efforts to protect and sustain the Pacific Northwest's natural legacy.