Attorney

Location

Remote, flexible within the U.S.

Clean Air Task Force (CATF) is a nonprofit organization working to safeguard against the worst impacts of climate change by catalyzing the rapid global development and deployment of low‑carbon energy and other climate‑protecting technologies. This is accomplished through legal and policy advocacy, research and analysis, and partnership with the private sector. CATF is highly respected for its deep expertise and research on energy and industrial systems and potential strategies, technologies, and policies that can radically shrink their impact on the planet’s atmosphere.

Our team of legal and policy advocates and experts (and global network of subject matter experts and civil society partners) put this research and knowledge into action by designing and enacting public policies that drive toward zero emissions. We also support policies and work directly with private industry to innovate in technology to make the path to zero emissions swift and affordable.

CATF has offices in Boston, Washington D.C., and Brussels, with staff working virtually around the world.

CATF seeks a mid‑level attorney with five to ten years of relevant experience to work with our U.S. Legal Team. CATF’s Legal Team engages actively with U.S. state and federal administrative rule making and policy matters and represents clients in litigation. Legal Team members also support CATF’s subject‑matter programs, offering them strategic legal advice on the best approaches to leveraging their technical work into robust policies and implementation.

The attorney will work under the supervision of CATF’s Legal Director, with other attorneys, with CATF’s clients, and alongside CATF program staff on all phases of our advocacy efforts, from providing strategic legal or policy advice to programs, to drafting comments and building administrative records in rule makings, litigating when appropriate, and in regular media outreach activities.

• Manage a litigation docket and carry out a full range of litigation tasks, including conducting legal and factual research, developing legal theories, and drafting comments, complaints, petitions, motions, and briefs.
• Provide legal, policy, and subject‑matter expertise to CATF programs, including collaborating with program experts and outside consultants on CATF’s advocacy efforts. Attorneys are assigned to program work based on their expertise and interests.
• Build and maintain effective working relationships with clients and partner organizations. This work involves representing CATF in multiple litigation and advocacy coalitions.
• Supervise and mentor legal fellows, interns, and paralegals on specific projects and tasks, including research assignments, drafting rule making comments, and preparing court filings.
• Work with CATF’s Communications and Marketing team to serve as a spokesperson for CATF and help develop and implement effective media strategies.
• Represent CATF in advocacy coalitions, to federal agency and congressional staff, and in public forums such as hearings, meetings, conferences, and workshops.

• Education/Background:
  • Juris Doctor degree and an active license to practice law in a U.S. jurisdiction required.
  • An undergraduate background, or other professional training, in science or engineering is a helpful qualification but is not required, as is knowledge of or experience advocating for the advancement of air pollution control, or carbon capture, geothermal, nuclear fission, or fusion technologies.
• Skills
  • Self‑motivated, proactive professional who works well independently and with others and who delivers high‑quality work on time.
  • Excellent legal research, writing, analytical, oral communication, and interpersonal skills.
  • Ability to manage a litigation docket effectively and work collaboratively with colleagues and partner organizations.
  • Ability to work effectively with technical experts.
• Experience
  • Five to ten years of full‑time legal experience in environmental, administrative, and/or energy law, with Clean Air Act experience preferred.
  • Experience litigating in coalitions and supervising…