ELI is seeking Law Clerks for the fall of 2022 to assist with our portfolio of uniquely positioned environmental law and policy projects addressing critical environment and sustainable development challenges domestically and internationally.  

About the Clerkship

In accord with our mission to build the skills and capacity of tomorrow’s leaders, ELI provides opportunities for law students to join us at the Institute. We welcome applications from current law students interested in working as a law clerk during the fall 2022 academic semester (approximately September to December). 

Law clerks work closely with ELI experts on domestic and international research projects spanning ELI’s full range of program areas. Law clerks also may assist in the editing and production of ELI publications, such as the Environmental Law Reporter. Law clerks provide crucial support for ELI projects and publications by conducting legal and policy research, analyzing environmental laws, attending and reporting on briefings and current events, drafting memoranda and other products, and otherwise assisting in the preparation of published materials.

We encourage law clerks to supplement their work experience by attending the seminars and events that ELI hosts, as well as social and networking opportunities provided by ELI and our partners.

Qualifications

• Eligibility is limited to students enrolled in law school.
• Broad knowledge of or interest in environmental, energy, or natural resource law and policy, or related field.
• Excellent skills in policy and legal research and analytical writing.
• Ability to become proficient in new issue areas and contribute to creative, rigorous, analytical approaches to address them. 
• Strong communication skills. 
• Well-developed collaborative and interpersonal skills. 
• Demonstrates self-awareness, cultural competency and inclusivity, and ability to work with colleagues and stakeholders across diverse cultures and backgrounds.
• Language skills are appreciated.

About ELI

The Environmental Law Institute (ELI) is an environmental law, science, and policy center that makes law work for people, places, and the planet. We envision a healthy environment, prosperous economies, and vibrant communities founded on the rule of law. Our mission is to foster innovative, just, and practical law and policy solutions to enable leaders across borders and sectors to make environmental, economic, and social progress.

ELI’s Research and Policy experts develop innovative legal and governance solutions to challenges in areas such as climate change; environmental justice; natural resource management; land conservation and smart growth; biodiversity loss and habitat destruction; and air, water, and soil pollution. Together, ELI’s staff aims to:

• Build the skills and capacity of tomorrow’s leaders and institutions
• Research and analyze complex and pressing environmental challenges
• Promote and disseminate the best thinking through print and electronic media
• Work with partners to develop and implement laws, policies, and other means to protect the environment and society
• Convene people with diverse perspectives to build understanding through robust dialogue

For more information on ELI’s programs, visit https://www.eli.org/programs.

Compensation

ELI will provide clerks an hourly wage of $21.50 for 12 weeks, and clerks typically work no more than 15 hours per week. In order to participate in the paid law clerk program, clerks must be physically present in the DC metro area (where ELI’s office is located) during the clerkship. ELI is striving to reopen our office but is cautiously approaching reopening in an effort to protect the health and safety of the ELI community from Covid-19. It is our hope that Covid will be under sufficient control by the fall of 2022 to allow for an in-person or hybrid clerkship experience then and beyond.

If a clerk desires to receive course credit for the clerkship and the clerk’s school prohibits earning income for the same work as the course credit is being received, accommodations can be made.

ELI is an equal opportunity employer firmly committed to achieving an inclusive, diverse workforce that values every individual. We firmly believe that hiring individuals with varying perspectives and backgrounds contributes to our success as an organization, and we strive to create an environment that fosters inclusiveness. As such, minority candidates and candidates from traditionally underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply.