Environmental Justice Law Clerk (Summer 2025)

ELI is seeking to fill its Environmental Justice Clerkship position for the summer of 2025 to assist with our portfolio of uniquely positioned environmental law and policy projects, including a particular emphasis on environmental justice.

About the Clerkship

In accord with ELI’s mission to build the skills and capacity of tomorrow’s leaders, we provide opportunities for law students to join us at the Institute. In collaboration with the Howard University School of Law, we are offering a paid clerkship position for the summer of 2025 exclusively to Howard Law students.

ELI law clerks work closely with ELI experts on domestic and international projects concerning a wide variety of subjects in environmental law. This clerkship will have a particular focus on environmental justice, with a project or two that, for example, support overburdened communities on sustainable development planning or produce reports to support community-driven environmental justice efforts. The clerk also will have the opportunity to contribute to other projects in the clerk's interest areas. ELI staff will work with clerks to hone their legal research, analysis, and writing as well as communication and other professional skills.

We encourage law clerks to supplement their work experience by attending the seminars and events that ELI hosts, as well as social and networking opportunities provided by ELI and our partners. The Environmental Justice Clerkship also includes arranged one-on-one conversations with a variety of professionals in environmental law and policy, tailored to the interests and aspirations of each clerk, with the objective of conveying advice and providing the clerks with a better understanding of the different entities, roles, and opportunities in the field.

Qualifications

• Eligibility is limited to students enrolled in Howard Law School (applicants are ineligible if they graduate before or during the clerkship).
• Broad knowledge of or interest in environmental law and policy or a related field.
• Excellent skills in policy and legal research and analytical writing.
• Ability to become proficient in new issue areas and contribute to creative, rigorous, analytical approaches to address them.
• Strong communication skills.
• Well-developed collaborative and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated self-awareness, cultural competency and inclusivity, and ability to work with colleagues and stakeholders across diverse cultures and backgrounds.
• Brings a diverse perspective to ELI as a result of the student’s life experiences.
• Language skills are appreciated.

About ELI

The Environmental Law Institute (ELI) is an environmental law, science, and policy center that makes law work for people, places, and the planet. We envision a healthy environment, prosperous economies, and vibrant communities founded on the rule of law. Our mission is to foster innovative, just, and practical law and policy solutions to enable leaders across borders and sectors to make environmental, economic, and social progress.

ELI’s Research and Policy experts develop innovative legal and governance solutions to challenges in areas such as climate change; environmental justice; natural resource management; land conservation and smart growth; biodiversity loss and habitat destruction; and air, water, and soil pollution. Together, ELI’s staff aims to:

• Build the skills and capacity of tomorrow’s leaders and institutions
• Research and analyze complex and pressing environmental challenges
• Promote and disseminate the best thinking through print and electronic media
• Work with partners to develop and implement laws, policies, and other means to protect the environment and society
• Convene people with diverse perspectives to build understanding through robust dialogue
• Cultivate a truly just, equitable, diverse, and inclusive environment that actively uplifts staff

For more information on ELI’s programs, visit https://www.eli.org/programs.

Compensation

ELI will provide clerks an hourly wage of $25.00. In order to participate in the paid law clerk program, you must be physically present in the DC metro area (where ELI’s office is located) during the clerkship.

This clerkship runs 10 weeks and is full-time (37.5 hours per week).

How to Apply

To apply, submit an application package via ELI's online application system by clicking the Apply button. Note that your submission must contain the following uploaded documents (Word or PDF format), as follows:

• Cover letter (including a description of the candidate’s personal goals as well as experience and interest in environmental law and policy)
• Resume (including college and law school GPAs)
• List of 3 references
• Law school transcript
• A writing sample

Applications must be submitted no later than Friday, January 17, 2025 at 11:59pm EDT and will be reviewed on a rolling basis. You must use ELI’s online application system; ELI cannot accept applications submitted by email, USPS or other shipping service, or hand delivery. This position is not eligible for immigration sponsorship.

ELI is an equal opportunity employer firmly committed to achieving an inclusive, diverse workforce that values every individual. We firmly believe that hiring individuals with varying perspectives and backgrounds contributes to our success as an organization, and we strive to create an environment that fosters inclusiveness. As such, minority candidates and candidates from traditionally underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply. If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.