Associate Attorney - Environmental Litigation

Associate Attorney - Environmental Litigation

Starting Salary - $185,000 - $205,000

1700 Hour Billable Min.

• Represent clients in complex environmental litigation matters in federal and state courts.
• Draft high-quality legal memoranda, pleadings, motions, discovery requests and responses, and client recommendations.
• Conduct and defend depositions.
• Manage and resolve discovery disputes.
• Participate in trial preparation and courtroom proceedings, including witness examinations, evidentiary presentations, and oral advocacy.
• Collaborate with attorneys across environmental, energy, land use, real estate, and natural resources matters.
• Support clients on select regulatory and advisory matters in addition to litigation work.
• Mentor and support junior attorneys through training, delegation, and professional development.

Required Qualifications

• J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school.
• Active admission, or eligibility for admission, in Washington State.
• At least 4 years of litigation experience.
• Experience handling significant litigation matters in federal and/or state courts.
• Strong legal writing and research skills, including drafting briefs, memoranda, pleadings, and other substantive legal work product.
• Experience taking and defending depositions.
• Experience managing discovery and discovery-related disputes.
• Background working with environmental statutes and related regulations, including areas such as:
  • National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
  • Clean Water Act (CWA)
  • Clean Air Act (CAA)
  • Endangered Species Act (ESA)
  • CERCLA/Superfund
  • Comparable state and federal environmental laws

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong academic credentials.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication abilities.
• Ability to manage matters independently and proactively move work forward.
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to quickly master new legal and regulatory issues.
• Collaborative mindset and commitment to team success.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

• Meaningful responsibility and direct client interaction.
• Exposure to sophisticated environmental and natural resources litigation.
• Collaborative, team-oriented culture with a strong emphasis on mentorship and professional development.
• Flexible hybrid work environment with an expectation of approximately three days per week in the office.
• Manageable annual billable target of 1,700 hours, including qualifying pro bono and business development activities.
• Strong bonus potential for attorneys who exceed annual targets.
• Commitment to work-life balance and long-term career development.