Our Office
P. O. Box 410
Plaquemine, LA 70765
Position: Staff Attorney (full-time)
Location: Louisiana - the position is fully remote but in-person attendance at hearings, legal proceedings and meetings in Louisiana will be required
Salary: $60,000-$70,000 depending on experience
Starting Date: ASAP
The staff attorney supports the organization’s staff and runs the legal advocacy arm of the organization to protect the Atchafalaya Basin for future generations to enjoy. The staff attorney will engage in all types of advocacy, from investigatory information gathering, preparing comments and developing an administrative record, and collaborating with partners, to advising staff of legal issues and litigating cases in state and federal court. The Atchafalaya Basin is the largest river swamp in North America and home to hundreds of thousands of acres of threatened wetlands and waterbodies with robust ecosystems supporting sport and commercial fishing communities. The staff attorney will work to protect these remaining wet areas, to prevent further destruction/conversion of aquatic habitat to uplands, and to ensure both private parties and regulators follow environmental laws aimed to protect our remaining wetlands and deep-water habitat.
Primary Responsibilities
o Work with Executive Director to develop legal strategic planning for the organization, issue identification, prioritization, and advocacy goals and deliverables
o Lead legal efforts and the full range of legal advocacy tasks, including:
o permit application tracking
o administrative comment writing and oral advocacy for public hearing
o issue/project investigation and information gathering (FOIA, public record requests, etc.)
o case development for litigation (permit challenges, species protection, Clean Water Act and other environmental statute enforcement cases, etc.)
o Work with ABK staff and partner organizations to investigate and advocate around issues affecting the Basin and adjacent areas
o Mentor and manage legal interns, pro bono students, and clerks
o Maintain relationships with existing organizational, institutional, and individual partners and establish new relationships
o Ensure organizational compliance with Bylaws, Waterkeeper Alliance standards and rules, and Louisiana 501(c)(3) organizational requirements
o Support the organization’s staff as needed (e.g., proofreading documents, attending community meetings and events, etc.)
Qualifications
o ABA accredited law school graduate (recent graduates welcome)
o Admission to the Louisiana Bar (or willingness to apply for admission to the Louisiana bar at the next available opportunity if not already admitted)
o Excellent research, analytic, writing, and communication skills
o Excellent interpersonal skills and willingness to work with diverse partners and staff
o Self-motivated and flexible, willingness to work with a small, close team
o Commitment to public interest work and a passion for the environment and the role of Atchafalaya Basinkeeper in the community and its mission, including a desire to fight for the right of all to a healthy, sustainable environment
o Litigation experience, particularly in environmental law, and high academic achievement in law school is preferred but not required
Atchafalaya Basinkeeper is an equal opportunity employer and as a 501(c)(3) organization, is a qualifying employer for purposes of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
To Apply please submit a Resume, a 1-2 page cover letter addressing why you are interest in working for Atchafalaya Basinkeeper and what you can contribute to the organization, a writing sample of your choice (preferrable a brief or memorandum), and a list of 3 references
We are looking to hire a candidate as soon as possible, so please submit the above-listed materials to abkoffice@basinkeeper.org as soon as possible to be considered for the position.
