Legal Fellow 2025 - Externally Funded - Location Flexible

Conservation Law Foundation (CLF) is seeking third-year law students and recent law graduates to apply for a sponsorship opportunity to work with us as a Legal Fellow.  This position is not funded; the Fellow must be able to provide outside funding from their Law School or other sponsorship. The Fellowship would begin in the fall of 2025.

If selected and if funding is obtained, the Legal Fellow will be located either in our Boston headquarters or in one of CLF’s other offices in Montpelier, VT; Concord, NH; Portland, ME; Providence, RI; or New Haven, CT with some flexibility to work remotely within New England.

What you’ll do:

The fellowship provides new or recently barred lawyers an opportunity to serve as an attorney at one of the country’s oldest and most respected non-profit environmental advocacy organizations.

The Legal Fellow will be a key part of the team to which they are assigned, responsible for developing policy and legal solutions to an array of issues in one of our six program areas: clean energy and climate change, environmental justice, healthy and resilient communities, clean air and water, strategic litigation, and oceans. Specific program assignments and responsibilities will be determined based on program/organizational needs and candidate interest. Responsibilities may include:

• Devise and execute legal and policy strategies for CLF’s advocacy goals;
• Represent CLF in litigation and administrative proceedings;
• Develop and present written testimony to legislative bodies, municipalities, and state and federal agencies;
• Advise community and advocacy groups on legal and policy matters;
• Build alliances and coalitions among stakeholders;
• Comment on administrative rules, state and federal permits, and other state and federal agency actions;
• Write public educational materials, articles, and opinion pieces, and communicate about advocacy work through news and social media outlets;
• Contribute to CLF’s strategic priorities and its commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and organizational excellence;
• Assist CLF’s communications team in delivering advocacy news and key messages to the press, our members, and the public;
• Assist CLF’s development team with fundraising efforts; and
• Prepare research reports, memos, and presentations.

What you’ll need:

• A law degree prior to the time you would begin the Fellowship;
• 0-2 years of relevant experience practicing law;
• Strong organizational and interpersonal skills;
• Ability to take initiative, solve problems, assess priorities, and manage a variety of activities in a fast-paced environment;
• High-level technological literacy with Microsoft Office suite (SharePoint, Word, Excel, Outlook, etc.);
• Excellent oral and written communication skills;
• Commitment to developing new skills and responsibilities;
• Commitment to working collaboratively with a diverse group of colleagues and partners; and
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Our highest priority is finding the best candidate for the job. Research has shown that people of color and women are less likely to apply for jobs if they don’t believe they meet every one of the qualifications described in a job description. Our hiring process is centered on assessing candidates with various lived experiences. We encourage you to apply, even if you don't believe you meet every one of our described qualifications or have a less traditional background.

Salary & Benefits:

CLF offers a competitive salary, an extensive benefits plan, and an open, inclusive, and accepting work environment where differences are highly respected. The starting salary range for Boston-based Fellows is $73,000 - $85,000 and $66,000 - $77,000 for those based in other New England states. Additionally, fellows receive a $2,000 salary increase upon passing the bar. Legal Fellows would be eligible for CLF’s extensive benefits plan as well as CLF’s salary for the position. We will work with the selected Fellow to determine the difference between the external funding they receive and CLF’s salary and if applicable, contribute the difference.

We recognize the value of work-life balance and also strive to create opportunities for growth for all employees through professional development. 

About CLF:

Conservation Law Foundation (CLF) protects New England’s environment for the benefit of all people. A non-profit, member-supported organization, CLF uses the law, science, and the market to solve the region’s most challenging environmental problems from climate change to ocean conservation to transportation. Every day, CLF advocates stand up for New Englanders—in state houses, court houses and board rooms, regulatory hearings, and community gatherings—to forge innovative paths to environmental progress and economic prosperity for all in our region. To that end, CLF works with communities of color, and those that are economically or otherwise disadvantaged, which often suffer disproportionately the impacts of environmental degradation.

CLF is committed to diversity among our staff, volunteers, boards, and membership and creating a positive, inclusive workplace culture where all can thrive.

Applications should include a cover letter that outlines specific external-funded sponsorship(s) you anticipate receiving. CLF will review applications on a rolling basis until December 15 and will select candidates to continue the process with by January 15.

CLF considers the health and safety of its staff members and their families, our guests, our visitors, and the community at large to be a top priority. All offers to work, intern, or volunteer with CLF are conditioned on the candidate complying with CLF’s mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy.

Salary : $2,000