Law Clerk - Summer 2025

The Center for Biological Diversity is currently looking for four full-time law clerks for summer 2025 who share an interest in and passion for justice and environmental protection. Clerks will work for either the Oceans program, Urban Wildlands, Environmental Health, or the Climate Law Institute. Only one application per student is needed and program placement will be assigned after hiring. These positions will be located in Oakland, California, although remote work is possible.

The Center for Biological Diversity believes that the welfare of human beings is deeply linked to nature — to the existence in our world of a vast diversity of wild animals and plants. Because diversity has intrinsic value, and because its loss impoverishes society, we work to secure a future for all species. We do so through science, law, grassroots organizing and creative media.

The Oakland office is the base for more than 10 attorneys working 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.

Summer clerks work with attorneys on case development and litigation, administrative advocacy, and policy development.

Main duties:

• Conduct legal research and writing, including drafting legal memos and administrative comments, assisting with brief writing, preparing filings, investigating new cases, and drafting official policy comments.
• On occasion, observe court arguments or attend and provide public testimony at agency hearings.

Areas in which law clerk will gain skills and experience:

• Environmental advocacy, drawing on litigation, science, media, and grassroots organizing strategies to fight for the environment and public health.

Qualifications:

• Completed at least one year of law school;
• Strong legal research and writing skills;
• Creativity and motivation;
• Background in environmental/biological studies or social justice advocacy is preferred but not required.

To apply, please upload a:

1. cover letter explaining your interest in working at the Center and your office location preference (remote or in-office in Oakland);
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://www.biologicaldiversity.org/about/jobs/. 

Incomplete applications will not be considered. Interviews are conducted on a rolling basis. You will be notified if you’re selected for an interview. No telephone calls, please.

The Center’s summer clerkship pays $18.07/hr, with the expectation that clerks will work full-time hours. The typical clerkship lasts ten weeks.

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.