Senior Attorney

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Center for Biological Diversity seeks a full-time senior attorney in our Climate Law Institute to join our New Mexico team to advance our state-level work on oil and gas pollution. This is a hybrid position, located in New Mexico.

General position overview:

The Climate Law Institute wages innovative legal and grassroots campaigns to protect people, wildlife and ecosystems from climate change and the fossil fuel industry. We work at every level, from international, federal, state and local campaigns to eliminate fossil fuel pollution and speed a just transition to 100 percent clean, renewable energy. The Climate Law Institute is looking to add a senior attorney to its New Mexico team. The new attorney will work closely with New Mexico community organizations on state litigation, administrative and policy advocacy, and grassroots and media outreach. The attorney will also work closely with other team members, including legal, science, organizing, and communications staff.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Main duties:

• Research and analyze the most effective legal and regulatory interventions on New Mexico oil and gas production and pollution. Work with our team and with allies to advance strong strategies to stop the growth of oil and gas production and begin a phase-out. 

• Track, monitor, and influence legislation and regulatory processes related New Mexico oil and gas production and pollution, including commenting on proposed rulemakings and preparing petitions for rulemaking.

• Develop and litigate cases addressing New Mexico oil and gas production.
• Build and maintain an open line of communication with the state legislature and agencies with the goal of advancing our policy priorities—including through one-on-one and group meetings.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key allies and advocate to advance common goals, including measures to achieve justice and equity in the fossil fuel phase-out.
• Prepare communications such as press releases, op-eds, fact sheets, and white papers, and respond to inquiries and interview requests from journalists.

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS:

Essential qualities, qualifications and skills:

• Licensed to practice law in New Mexico and familiarity with New Mexico civil procedure and administrative law; candidates who wish to relocate to New Mexico and take the New Mexico bar will be considered.
• Minimum eight years litigation experience.
• Excellent legal research, writing and oral advocacy skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage a litigation docket, including experience as lead attorney on cases.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with colleagues and organizations with a wide array of goals, perspectives, and backgrounds, including experience working with coalitions. Commitment to incorporating principles of justice, equity, and inclusion into all aspects of the work.
• A demonstrated ability to take initiative and think creatively about policy and strategic campaigning. 
• Demonstrated ability to successfully navigate challenges, including from a powerful and well-resourced opposition.
• Strong organizational skills and an ability to succeed in a fast-paced environment with a full workload where it is necessary to balance multiple tasks and deadlines.
• Interest in climate policy and biodiversity protection.
• Willingness to travel when safe, at times on short notice.

Preferred qualifications, skills, and qualities:  

• Experience with New Mexico state environmental and administrative law, and well as federal environmental and administrative law.
• Existing relationships and experience working with organizations led by Black, Indigenous, and other people of color. We especially encourage candidates who hold first-hand experience or meaningful, trusted relationships with communities impacted by fossil fuel production and environmental racism. 
• Familiarity with the scientific literature on climate change.
• Experience with media outreach and interviews.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• In-person work is required (instead of remote work) - occasionally
  
• Travel - occasionally
• Reading - constantly
• Typing - constantly
• Sitting - frequently
• Lifting/Carrying 0-25 lbs - rarely
• Lifting/Carrying 25-75 lbs - never
• Hiking - rarely
• Walking - rarely
• Speaking - frequently

BENEFITS:

• Fully paid medical premiums for staff, and greatly discounted for families.
• Fully paid dental and vision premiums for staff and their families.
• Generous employer contribution to HSA and HRA’s.
• Center paid premiums for Short Term and Long Term Disability provided for all staff.
• Center paid premiums for Basic Life Insurance for all staff.
• Discounted premiums for pet discount program.
• 403(b) plan with employer match and increasing employer paid contributions.
• Generous time off policies, including 13 paid holidays per year, 5 “personal” days per year and 10 paid sick days awarded each year.
• Vacation accrual starts at 15 days annually, but it may be higher commensurate with experience.
• Center Paid Time Off for parental leave, personal leave, caretaker leave and even pet caretaker leave.
• After 5 years of service, all employees receive a 12-week paid sabbatical.
• Relaxed work atmosphere and dress code.

JEDAI STATEMENT:

The Center for Biological Diversity deeply values, and is committed to sustaining and promoting, both biological and cultural diversity. We welcome, embrace and respect diversity of people, identities and cultures. We are committed to fostering an organizational culture of diversity and inclusion. The Center believes staff and board diversity is critical to saving life on Earth.

We are an equal opportunity employer.

APPLICATION PROCESS:

Please apply online by completing our application and submitting a cover letter, resume, and reference list. The position will remain open until filled. The desired start date is June 17, 2024. Only applicants selected for interviews will be contacted. No telephone calls, please.