Litigation Fellow

Description

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation seeks a Litigation Fellow to be based at the Philip Merrill Environmental Center located in Annapolis, MD.

Established over 50 years ago, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) is the nation's leading conservation organization dedicated solely to restoring and protecting the Chesapeake Bay, our nation's largest estuary. With 200,000 members, an annual operating budget of $26 million, and a $55 million endowment, CBF's 190 full time staff work in offices in Annapolis and Easton, MD; Richmond and Virginia Beach, VA; Harrisburg, PA; Washington, DC; and in 15 field education program locations across the Bay watershed.

CBF's headquarters - the Philip Merrill Environmental Center - in Annapolis is the world's first USGBC LEED platinum building. In 2014, CBF opened the Brock Environmental Center in Virginia Beach; the Brock Center is the tenth certified Living Building and one of the most energy efficient, environmentally smart buildings in the world.

DEPARTMENT DESCRIPTION

Litigation

CBF's Litigation department evaluates opportunities for filing legal actions against private parties, states, or the federal government which support CBF objectives throughout the Bay Watershed. In the appropriate circumstances, the department recommends that suit be filed, and if approved by the president and the litigation committee, counsel is retained, or the department staff handles litigation of the action internally.

CONTEXT OF THE POSITION

The litigation fellowship provides an opportunity for a recent law school graduate, within three years of law school, to work with experienced environmental practitioners within a leading environmental non-profit organization and gain the necessary training and professional development to launch a successful career in environmental law.

The fellow will take a lead role in developing litigation for new cases, research, and memo writing while working and managing a project designed to help lay the groundwork for litigation and possibly other advocacy work within CBF. In addition, the fellow will work closely with the Vice President for Litigation, litigation counsel, litigation staff, and other CBF staff, including scientists, grassroots organizers, lobbyists, and educators.

Requirements

• Analyzing federal and state environmental laws, regulations, and administrative processes that apply within the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
• Reviewing agency records, files and documents.
• Summarizing findings in the form of formal memoranda that include proper documentation and accurate citations.
• Working directly with community members to learn about the environmental conditions of their neighborhoods and with other groups outside of CBF as needed, including participating in local environmental activities.
• Working with CBF staff to promote and/or apply the findings of the project.
• Participating in the day-to-day life of CBF, including staff meetings, strategy sessions, and at least one CBF field experience.
• Assist the litigation department in active and developing cases.

PREFERRED PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

CBF seeks independent, creative thinkers who will help us to act wisely and in the public interest as we strive to "Save the Bay." The ideal candidate will possess the following:

• JD from an accredited law school.
• Admission to practice law in at least one State (can be obtained during fellowship).
• Experience with environmental and administrative law and civil procedure.
• Strong legal research and writing, interpersonal, and communications skills.
• Willingness to travel regionally.
• Ability to work on diverse teams or with a diverse range of people.