Public Interest Litigation Sr. Attorney- Natural Resources

Introduction

The Environmental Law & Policy Center (ELPC) is the Midwests leading environmental legal advocacy and policy innovation organization. We drive transformational policy changes in the Midwest Heartland, with national impacts.

ELPC protects the Great Lakes and defends the Midwests wild and natural places, and we fight for safe, clean water and healthy, clean air for all. ELPC combines effective public interest litigation with strategic policy advocacy, sound science, and economic analysis. ELPC produces strong results for the environment in the courtrooms, boardrooms, and legislative hearing rooms across the pivotal Midwest states and in Washington D.C.

ELPC embraces smart, persuasive advocacy to win the most important environmental cases and create positive solutions to protect public health and economic development across the environment heartland. Their teamwork approach uses legal, economic, scientific, and public policy analysis, and communications advocacy tools, to succeed. ELPCs strategic legal advocacy and business deal-making involve proposing solutions when they oppose threats to the Midwests environment.

ELPC shows that environmental progress and economic development can be achieved together by putting sustainability principles into practice. We advance climate solutions effectively by accelerating clean renewable energy alternatives to conventional power plants and advancing clean transportation solutions.

ELPC was founded in 1993 after a year-long strategic planning process sponsored by seven major foundations. They have achieved a strong track record of success in national and regional clean energy development and pollution reduction, transportation and land use reform, and natural resources protection issues. ELPC employs a new form of creative public advocacy effectively linking environmental progress and economic development that improves the quality of life in Midwestern communities.

Issue Areas

ELPC takes a multifaceted approach to environmental advocacy. The Midwest is their home, so they take on the big fights to protect their neighbors and provide a future for all kids.

Whether standing up in court to prevent hazardous pollution or driving policy to accelerate clean energy job growth, ELPC knows that a healthy environment works hand-in-hand with economic opportunity. With a Midwest perspective, ELPC connects resources and ideas to solve challenges across the region.

Advancing Climate Change Solutions

The Midwest is ground zero in the battle against climate change, and ELPC is working to accelerate smart solutions. Our region is a hub of transportation and industry, with the nations highest concentration of polluting coal plants. But the Midwest is also a fulcrum for clean energy and transportation innovations, which are good for the environment and good for the economy.

ELPC is focused on accelerating solar energy, wind power, battery storage, and energy efficiency to replace conventional polluting power plants. With smart transportation, we can improve mobility, reduce pollution, and create jobs. We are working with cities and states on collective climate solutions and supporting farmers who are implementing clean energy and soil health practices. The time for action is now to shape a strong, sustainable future. We are all in this together.

Protecting the Great Lakes & Clean Water

ELPC works to protect safe, clean water for all. The Great Lakes system is a global gem, containing more than 20% of the worlds surface freshwater and providing drinking water for over 42 million people. The Mississippi River watershed and the myriad of rivers, creeks, brooks, and streams across the Midwest make up more than half the river miles in the nation. We fight to ensure safe clean drinking water is affordable and accessible for all, as it is a basic human need.

ELPC attorneys and advocates implement, enforce, and defend the Clean Water Act. We hold polluters accountable and fight to clean up Midwest water, from the Great Lakes and big river systems to the community watersheds and small-town wells that provide drinking water, wildlife habitat, jobs, and recreational enjoyment for millions.

Accelerating Clean Energy

Renewable energy is good for the environment and good for our economy. ELPC has worked for more than 25 years to repower the Midwest with solar energy, wind power, battery storage, and energy efficiency. Clean energy can reduce our reliance on polluting fossil fuels while creating jobs and keeping energy dollars in our local communities.

ELPC is at the forefront of the clean energy economy. We remove barriers to a distributed clean energy system that is more affordable and equitable with less pollution. Our public interest attorneys litigate in federal and state courts to protect public health and the environment. We are engaged with utility and energy commissions at the state, regional, and federal levels to modernize our energy grid wisely. And we work with elected officials to shape ambitious renewable electricity policies to clean up and fundamentally transform the electricity system and power markets.

Accelerating Clean Transportation

The Midwest is Americas crossroads, as a hub of highways, airports, rail, and transportation manufacturing. The transportation sector is now the leading source of carbon pollution, but our region is well-poised to offer solutions. ELPC works to clean up the transportation system with policies and infrastructure solutions such as cleaner vehicles and battery technology, accessible and affordable public transit, pedestrian and biking opportunities, and modern intercity passenger rail.

ELPC attorneys litigate to advance strong regulatory standards for cleaner cars and trucks. Our advocates work with legislators and agencies to advance electric vehicle infrastructure and other forward-looking policies. We advance smart transportation investments, stop highway boondoggles, and spur high-speed rail development. To support car-free solutions, we are revitalizing the Chicago pedway system, securing funding for clean electric school buses, and fighting for better public transportation region-wide.

Protecting Clean Air

Healthy Clean Air is a basic human need. As a manufacturing and transportation hub, the Midwest has struggled with many sources and types of air pollution. From courtrooms to hearing rooms to busy street corners, ELPC fights for clean air for all.

ELPC attorneys and advocates implement, enforce, and defend the Clean Air Act. We work to reduce pollutants like smog, mercury, particulate matter, and greenhouse gases that harm human health and wildlife. We partner with community groups, providing technical tools and training to monitor air quality. We bring legal firepower to clean up toxic hotspots and hold polluters accountable. And we work with legislators to improve clean air laws and regulatory standards.

What You Will Do

The Environmental Law & Policy Center (ELPC) is hiring a skilled public interest litigation attorney with 10+ years of strong federal and state court litigation experience for a full-time position in downtown Chicago (preferred), Minneapolis, or Washington D.C. offices.

This ELPC senior attorney will work on natural resources protection legal and policy advocacy, which now focuses on defending the Midwests Great Places Great Lakes, the four-state scenic Driftless Area landscape, and public lands, and their wildlife and biodiversity. This is a great position for a top-rate litigator who loves the outdoors and wants to devote their professional work to protecting the Midwests vital natural resources and wild and special places. This is an extraordinary time in which ELPCs effective legal and policy advocacy backed by strong economic analysis, sound science, and public engagement are essential to protect core environmental values.

Responsibilities include:

• Key litigation role advancing ELPCs innovative and successful environmental program activities focused on protecting wildlife and biodiversity in the Midwests wild and special places.
• First-chair natural resources protection litigation and help advance policy advocacy campaigns in the courts of public opinion to succeed.
• Work with ELPCs Executive Director and Senior Staff to help prioritize and provide savvy results-focused strategic direction for ELPCs Great Places Great Lakes Program.
• Work with ELPCs stellar Science Advisory Council
• Work effectively in ELPCs public interest entrepreneurial and multidisciplinary team culture.
• Fundraise to support ELPCs Great Places Great Lakes Program activities and expand program success.

Who You Are

• 11+ years of litigation experience, with significant environmental and natural resources legal and policy issue expertise.
• The ideal background would be a public interest litigation organization, USDOJ or strong state AGs office, or a high-powered litigation law firm with hands-on trial and appellate experience.
• Excellent writing and persuasive oral advocacy abilities required.
• Strong academic background desired.
• Should understand and enjoy multifaceted strategic advocacy that involves media, legislative, economic, science, policy analysis, and organizing approaches coordinated with strong and effective legal advocacy.
• An inspired and demonstrated commitment to public interest advocacy and the ability to work productively with a fast-paced team of skilled professionals are required.
• This attorney should thrive on engaging with multidisciplinary project teams including scientists, MBAs, and policy and media specialists.
• Ability and drive to win, achieve results and produce successes.

What We Offer

Commensurate with experience, the salary range for a Senior Attorney based in Chicago is $145,000 - $190,000 (geographic differentials for other locations apply). We also provide excellent benefits.

Work with a team of dedicated and highly effective professionals who achieve transformational changes in the Midwest Heartland, with national impact. A team of colleagues who enjoy working together and playing in the great outdoors.