MINNESOTA CENTER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL ADVOCACY
POSITION DESCRIPTION
POSITION TITLE: Staff Attorney
ACCOUNT TO: Supervising Attorney
JOB STATUS: Full-Time Exempt
LOCATION: 1919 University Ave W, St Paul, MN 55104
CLOSING DATE: Open until filled, with a preference for applications received before March 21, 2025
ABOUT MINNESOTA CENTER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL ADVOCACY (MCEA)
For fifty years, MCEA has used law and science to protect Minnesota’s environment, its natural resources, and the health of its people. MCEA envisions clean water, clean air, healthy ecosystems, a sustainable economy, and improved public health for all Minnesotans. Our staff of lawyers and advocates work in the courts, with administrative agencies, and at the legislature to enact, strengthen, and enforce environmental laws. We currently work across four different program areas: Water, Climate, Northeastern Minnesota, and Healthy Communities.
At MCEA, we are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in our work and strive to create a workplace culture, policy and practice that reflects these values. We respect the individual strengths, views, and experiences of all employees and understand that we thrive in our differences. We acknowledge that fostering a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion is an ongoing process, and we are dedicated to continuous learning, active listening, and growth, striving to become a stronger community than we are today.
POSITION SUMMARY:
MCEA, the state’s leading public-interest environmental law firm, seeks an attorney with three to six years of experience to join our team of powerful, mission-driven, in-house litigators. The Staff Attorney will litigate in state and federal courts and administrative agencies and provide legal advice to MCEA and other clients. In addition to litigation, the Staff Attorney will assist with legislative and administrative advocacy, coordinate with outside pro bono counsel, law clerks, concerned citizens, and other advocacy organizations, work with the Legal Committee of MCEA’s Board, and provide assistance to MCEA’s leadership, development staff, and communications team.
This position is full time, which at MCEA means a 32-hour work week in a hybrid work environment with four days required in the St. Paul office per month.
MAJOR AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY:
- Works with Supervising Attorney and program staff to serve MCEA’s legal needs, including analyzing potential cases, researching, and developing legal strategies and novel legal theories, litigating, identifying experts and developing expert reports, and providing day-to-day legal advice.
- Represents MCEA and other client organizations in administrative and court actions.
- Engages in administrative and legislative advocacy, including reviewing proposed rules and legislation, meeting with agency staff and legislators, and providing written and oral comments/testimony.
- Works independently and as an effective member of project teams, assuming responsibility for project leadership as well as tasks as assigned.
- Leads and participates in meetings internally and with external advocacy or community groups, government agencies, and academic scholars to develop and provide knowledge about environmental and community issues.
- Stays abreast of emerging trends in environmental law and significant environmental cases.
- Provides leadership, direction, and mentoring to law clinic students, law clerks, and other interns (although staff attorneys do not have any direct reports).
- In conjunction with the communications staff, devises and implements appropriate media strategies for cases and other advocacy projects.
- Assists development staff as needed in communicating with funders.
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Works and communicates with the Legal Committee of MCEA’s Board of
Directors as required by MCEA policy.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- J.D. degree and license to practice law. (Admission to MN bar or ability to take July 2025 exam required.)
- Three to six years of post-JD legal experience.
- Experience in litigation.
- Excellent writing, analytic skills, and oral communication skills.
- Commitment to public interest environmental advocacy and environmental justice.
- Commitment to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace and culture that values differences.
- Ability to work effectively in teams with MCEA staff, other clients, partners, outside counsel, and affected communities.
- Ability to lead project teams through litigation, administrative, or advocacy projects.
SALARY & BENEFITS:
Salary range for this position is $88,000 – $93,000.
MCEA values a healthy work-life balance and has flexible, family-friendly employment policies which prioritize the well-being and success of employees. Our comprehensive and competitive benefits package includes medical insurance for employees and their dependents, paid family leave, monthly phone stipend, and 401k. Our hybrid work arrangement allows employees to work from home and with four days required in the office each month. We have recently adopted a 32-hour work week to promote flexibility and well-being.
MCEA is an equal opportunity employer and committed to ensure equal employment practices to all employees and applicants for employment regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other factor that is not related to the position. MCEA is committed to being legally compliant with all equal employment opportunity obligations, including removing barriers to the workplace for all qualified applicants and employees.
TO APPLY:
Please send cover letter explaining qualifications and interest, résumé, law school transcript, writing sample and references to HR@mncenter.org. You must submit all materials directly to this email address. No applications via third-party website (such as Indeed) will be accepted. Please indicate where you found this job posting.
Position will remain open until filled, with a preference for applications received before March 21, 2025.