2026 General Counsel Clerkship

OFFICE OF GENERAL COUNSEL

The Office of General Counsel is responsible for providing timely risk mitigation, management, and compliance advice to Earthjustice leadership, program teams, and staff. This includes areas such as corporate governance, contracts, conflicts, legal ethics, privacy, data management, corporate risk management, international compliance, lobbying, SLAPP suits, and human resources. We work to develop and implement cross-cutting strategies with our internal clients that enable them to achieve their goals while minimizing organizational risks. We also collaborate with partners and other nonprofit organizations on common sector issues.

ABOUT US

Founded in 1971, Earthjustice has a distinguished record of achieving significant, lasting environmental protections. We use the power of law and partnerships to protect health, preserve places and wildlife, promote clean energy, and combat climate change. We partner with numerous groups and supporters to take on landmark cases nationwide. We are here because the earth needs a good lawyer.

We welcome law students from across the country to apply for a summer law clerk position. Candidates will work either in an office near the program location or, in some cases, in a proximate Earthjustice office outside their geographic area.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Summer Law Clerks will work with attorneys on case development and litigation strategy. Tasks include drafting pleadings and briefs, legal research, developing legal theories, gathering evidence, and attending client meetings and court proceedings. The program also offers seminars with attorneys and guest speakers on environmental issues, interactions with environmental groups, and a job interview workshop.

COMPENSATION

Earthjustice’s summer law clerkships are paid. The stipend is $1,320 per week, paid at the start of the 10-week full-time (37.5 hours/week) internship, minus any external funding received and applicable taxes. Candidates may seek outside funding, which will not influence hiring decisions.

HOW TO APPLY

Applicants must be enrolled in a U.S. law school through fall 2026 and available for ten weeks in summer 2026. Applications are due via Jobvite by 5:00 pm PT on September 1, 2025. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Candidates may apply to multiple litigation teams; responses to follow-up emails regarding team preferences are expected. Required application materials include a resume, a cover letter addressing specific questions, a recent legal writing sample (max 10 pages), unofficial transcript, and references upon request.

RESOURCES

We recommend tailoring your cover letter to each team. Additional hiring tips are available at .

If you experience technical difficulties or need accommodations during the hiring process, contact us at . No phone calls, drop-ins, or hard copies accepted.