Summer 2027 Law Clerk

Job Title: Law Clerk

Program: Conservation

Employment Type: [  ] Salary   [X] Hourly (non-exempt – this position is eligible for over time)

                                   [  ] Part-time [X] Full-time

                                   [X] Temporary [  ] Regular

Reports to: Staff or Senior Attorney

Direct Reports to this position: N/A

Salary Range: $19.61/hour

Location: Oakland, CA; Portland, OR; Washington, DC; or Remote

Is this position in the Bargaining Unit?  [] Yes, [X] No

The Center for Biological Diversity is currently looking for ten full-time Law Clerks for Summer 2027 who share an interest in and passion for justice and environmental protection. Clerks will be hired and then assigned to a program—either Oceans, Carnivore Conservation, the Climate Law Institute, Endangered Species, Public Lands, Urban Wildlands, or Environmental Health. (Other programs and other locations may be hiring separately. Interested applicants are welcome to apply for those positions as well). The expectation is that clerks will work full-time hours (40 hours per week). The typical clerkship lasts ten weeks.

All clerkship positions may be completed remotely. Applicants also have the option to work in person at the following office locations:

• Climate Law Institute: Oakland, California or Washington, D.C.
• Urban Wildlands Program: Oakland, California
• Oceans Program: Oakland, California
• Endangered Species Program: Portland, Oregon
• Environmental Health Program: Oakland, California or Portland, Oregon

The following programs are remote-only:

• Carnivore Conservation Program
• Public Lands Program

Depending on office capacity limitations, remote-only clerks may have the option to work from a Center office. If you would like to work remotely from a Center office, please indicate your office preference(s) in your cover letter.

To apply, please upload a:  

1. cover letter explaining your interest in working at the Center, your program placement preference (if any), and your office location or remote preference (see explanation above for location options); 

2. resume;

3. writing sample, preferably of no more than 10 pages that reflects your own legal analysis;

4. transcript (unofficial is fine); and

5. list of three references.

Please submit all application materials via our website at https://biologicaldiversity.bamboohr.com/careers/173. 

Incomplete applications will not be considered. Application review will begin September 15, 2026, but applications will continue to be accepted until the positions are filled. The desired start date is May 17, 2027. You will be notified if you are selected for an interview. No telephone calls, please. 

ABOUT THE CENTER
The Center for Biological Diversity, a national 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, believes the welfare of human beings is deeply linked to nature — to the existence of a vast diversity of wild animals, plants, and people. Because diversity has intrinsic value, and because its loss impoverishes society, we work to secure a future for all species, great and small, hovering on the brink of extinction. We do so through science, law, activism, and creative media, with a focus on protecting the lands, waters, and climate that humans, other species, and all communities need to survive and thrive.

We want those who come after us to inherit a world where the wild is still alive.

POSITION SUMMARY
Attorneys at the Center for Biological Diversity work on issues as varied as endangered species, ocean protection, climate change, environmental health, water resources, biomass energy, the protection of public lands, and land use in the urban-wildland interface. Law clerks work on environmental law and litigation projects designed to have a conservation impact. They will work with experienced attorneys who provide supervision, training, and mentorship. Clerks will usually be assigned to a program area that aligns with their interests in endangered species, ocean protection, climate change, public lands, environmental health, or carnivore conservation. Law clerks assist with legal research and writing, litigation, and administrative advocacy.

POSITIONS BEING HIRED

The Center is hiring a total of ten clerks. One clerk position is available at each of the following programs: Oceans, Environmental Health, Urban Wildlands, and Carnivore Conservation. Two clerk positions are available at each of the following programs: Public Lands, Endangered Species, and Climate Law Institute.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Conduct legal research and writing, including preparing legal memoranda, assisting with brief writing, preparing filings, investigating new projects, and drafting public comments; 
• Conduct research and review administrative regulations and other policy proposals; 
• May have opportunities to present at administrative hearings and observe court arguments or agency proceedings; 
• Assist with interviewing experts; 
• Collaborate with coalitions and partners; 
• Analyze federal and state legislation relating to endangered species, public lands, oceans, energy, and pollution; 
• Track current legislation in Congress relating to the Endangered Species Act, public-land laws, climate and energy laws, marine mammal protection, National Environmental Policy Act, and Clean Air Act; 
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

AREAS IN WHICH SKILLS WILL BE GAINED

Clerks will gain experience in legal research and writing, and environmental advocacy, particularly in the natural resources area, drawing on litigation, science, media, and grassroots organizing strategies to fight for wildlife and their habitats.

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

• Completed at least one year of law school at time of application; 
• Strong legal research and writing skills; 
• Passionate about protecting wildlife and their habitats; 
• Commitment to equity and justice; 
• Background or experience in natural resources, environmental, and/or administrative law preferred and scientific literacy preferred; 
• Creativity and motivation.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Requires work in an in-person or at-home office setting, with a typical schedule of Monday-Friday with some night and weekend work required at times due to deadlines. May need to use typical office equipment such as computers, printers, copiers, etc.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The ideal candidate must be able to complete all physical requirements of this job with or without a reasonable accommodation. This is not a complete description of all workplace conditions, and conditions are subject to change per the Organization’s discretion.

Cognitive

Ability to process and analyze information: [  ] Rarely    [  ] Occasionally   [X] Frequently  

Exchange accurate information: [  ] Rarely    [  ] Occasionally   [X] Frequently  

Communicate and express oneself with others: [  ] Rarely    [  ] Occasionally   [X] Frequently  

Interaction with other colleagues: [  ] Rarely    [  ] Occasionally   [X] Frequently  

Interaction with the public/co-collaborators: [  ] Rarely    [X] Occasionally   [] Frequently

Physical

Reading (ingest data): [  ] Rarely    [  ] Occasionally   [X] Frequently  

Working on a computer: [  ] Rarely    [  ] Occasionally   [X] Frequently  

Typing: [  ] Rarely    [  ] Occasionally   [X] Frequently  

Writing by hand: [  ] Rarely    [X] Occasionally   [  ] Frequently  

Sitting: [  ] Rarely    [  ] Occasionally   [X] Frequently  

Walking: [  ] Rarely    [X] Occasionally   [  ] Frequently  

Standing: [  ] Rarely    [X] Occasionally   [  ] Frequently  

Lift/Carry 0-25 lbs: [X] Rarely    [  ] Occasionally   [  ] Frequently  

Lift/Carry 25-75 lbs: [X] Rarely    [  ] Occasionally   [  ] Frequently  

Climbing up or down stairs: [X] Rarely    [  ] Occasionally   [  ] Frequently  

Bending: [X] Rarely    [  ] Occasionally   [  ] Frequently  

Squatting: [X] Rarely    [  ] Occasionally   [  ] Frequently  

Reaching overhead: [X] Rarely    [  ] Occasionally   [  ] Frequently  

Repetitive motions: [  ] Rarely    [  ] Occasionally   [X] Frequently  

Ability to drive: [X] Rarely    [  ] Occasionally   [  ] Frequently

Location Conditions

In person required (versus remote work): [  ] Rarely    [X] Occasionally   [  ] Frequently  

Travel required:  [X] Rarely    [] Occasionally   [  ] Frequently  

Night or weekend work: [X] Rarely    [ ] Occasionally   [  ] Frequently

BENEFITS (Subject to change—see Handbook for more details) 
For all temporary staff 

• 403(b) plan.

• Paid sick days accrue at a rate of 1 hour for every 30 hours worked.

• Relaxed work atmosphere and dress code.

JEDAI STATEMENT

The Center for Biological Diversity deeply values, and is committed to sustaining and promoting, both biological and cultural diversity. We welcome, embrace and respect diversity of people, identities, and cultures. We are committed to fostering an organizational culture of diversity and inclusion. The Center believes staff and board diversity is critical to saving life on Earth.

We are an equal opportunity employer.

The Center complies with all federal and local laws regarding work authorization for new hires. We welcome and encourage anyone interested to apply to any of our open positions. Everyone, regardless of current work authorization, will be considered.

Exempt Classification: Non-Exempt

Applicable Exemption: N/A

• Reasoning behind this classification: Transactional administrative work with minimal discretion, work is predominately routine in nature and the output can generally be standardized in relation to a given period of time.