Litigation Staff Attorney

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

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 Staff Attorney 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.  The attorney must also be able to handle litigation from inception to trial or hearing, including case development, day-to-day case management, and client relations. In addition, the attorney will work closely with the Vice President for Litigation, litigation counsel, litigation staff, and other CBF staff, including scientists, grassroots organizers, lobbyists, and educators.   

The position requires an attorney with state bar admission and 1-2 years of litigation experience.  The position requires an attorney who understands basic scientific principles as they apply to CBF's mission as well as knowledge of the Clean Water Act and other relevant state and federal environmental laws.  

Essential functions include:

• Perform factual and legal research designed to evaluate proposed and support pending litigation in accordance with CBF s mission and strategic plans. 
• Drafting memorandum, pleadings, and discovery in support of litigation. 
• Participating in litigation brought on behalf of CBF including taking depositions and trial advocacy.
• Public speaking engagements.
• Working with outside experts, paid counsel, pro bono counsel, public interest law firms, other non-profit groups, law school clinics, and the public.  
• Analyzing federal and state environmental laws, regulations, and administrative processes that apply within the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
• 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.

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 of the Chesapeake Bay watershed jurisdictions or able to waive into the bar of one of those jurisdictions.
• Experience with environmental and administrative law and civil procedure.
• Strong legal research and writing, interpersonal, and communications skills.
• Willingness to travel regionally.
• Prior experience in a litigation-related advocacy, governmental, or private-sector organization.