Associate / Staff Attorney

Company: Sierra Club
Location: Washington
Posted on: April 2, 2026

Job Description:

Job Title: Associate or Staff Attorney Department: Environmental Law Program Location: Washington, D.C. This position requires an ability to travel. Reports To: Managing Attorney Term: 2-year position Context: At the Sierra Club, we believe in the power of interdependence. Together, we remain committed to the fight for a healthy climate built on a foundation of environmental, racial, economic, and gender justice – a future where all people benefit from a healthy, thriving planet and a direct connection to nature. As the climate crisis and deeply entrenched systemic racism all fuel injustice, we will continue to fight for a bold, transformational agenda that recognizes the interconnectedness between our planet, our humanity, and our future. By recognizing that our destinies are tied, we continue to name that all things are fundamentally connected, and the overlap between ecology, race, gender, and representative government will move to either advance our collective humanity or to oppress it. Sierra Club has close to 800 staff across the country and a network of 64 local chapters that are led and fueled by thousands of volunteers. We are also proud to be a unionized employer, with three labor unions representing more than half of our employees. Scope: Sierra Club is seeking an associate or staff attorney to join its national legal team as a litigator for Sierra Club’s Environmental Law Program. Appointment will be made at the level commensurate with an individual’s level of experience. Under the supervision of a managing or senior attorney, the associate or staff attorney would serve as a legal resource for Sierra Club campaigns; litigate environmental and energy cases with a focus on administrative dockets to decarbonize the electric sector; help design and implement legal and advocacy strategies; and coordinate with campaign staff, coalition partners, and outside counsel. Job activities include but are not limited to: Litigate key Sierra Club lawsuits, under the supervision of managing or senior staff attorneys; assume increasing litigation responsibilities including discovery management, settlement strategy, witness handling, legal research and writing, and oral argument. Implement strategic, programmatic legal campaigns to support Sierra Club’s campaign objectives; help coordinate the litigation work of strategic legal campaigns; assume responsibility for relationships with staff, volunteer leaders, outside counsel and coalition partners. Help evaluate proposed litigation to advise national volunteer and staff leadership on the scope of Sierra Club participation in legal actions Help develop and plan programmatic litigation and advocacy campaigns to support Sierra Club's portfolio of clean energy for all initiatives, with a focus on decarbonizing the electric sector; assist in drafting legal components of strategic plans and reports. Help develop and execute work in a manner that centers on and promotes equity, justice, and inclusion, and intentionally address the history of inequitable environmental and economic burdens carried by communities overburdened by air, water, and climate pollution and disproportionate energy burdens. Analyze legal cases and trends for Sierra Club management and membership. Provide legal advice to Sierra Club membership; help Chapters and Groups with their local energy- related legal programs and objectives. Perform miscellaneous duties as directed. The successful candidate must demonstrate the following skills, experience and competencies: J.D. degree and license to practice law in the U.S. 1 years of experience as a practicing attorney for Associate Attorney 5 years of experience as a practicing attorney for Staff Attorney Excellent writing, analytical and oral advocacy skills. An interest in litigating cases before administrative agencies such as utility commissions. Strong interpersonal and consensus-building skills, including the ability to work collaboratively with clients, colleagues and external partners from diverse backgrounds. Knowledge of environmental or energy law. Passion for the Sierra Club’s mission to enlist humanity to protect and restore the quality of the natural and human environment. Committed to evolution. You are committed to continuously deepening and evolving your own understanding of systems of oppression through study, openness, and humility. And you easily recognize your own relationship to privilege and power, examining and shifting your behaviors as appropriate. Uplifting and additive . You see mistakes as opportunities for growth; problems as catalysts for solutions, and inspire others along the journey. You carry a constructive approach, can-do attitude, a sense of humor, and authentic kindness wherever you go. Title will be determined based on years of experience at the date of hire as detailed in the qualifications section. $110,931 - $160,813 a year Compensation and Benefits The salary range for this position is $110,931 to $160,813 and will be determined based on years of legal experience and location. This position is represented by a collective bargaining unit and is subject to the terms and conditions of the contract between Sierra Club and Environmental Law Program Union. The Sierra Club offers a competitive salary package commensurate with skills and experience plus excellent benefits that include medical, dental, and vision coverage, and a retirement savings 401(k) plan. This is a category 3 or 5 exempt represented position. Sierra Club values the expertise and talents of foreign nationals. Sierra Club sponsors both nonimmigrant and immigrant visas when certain criteria are met, based on immigration laws and organizational needs. Such sponsorship is at the discretion of the Department Head and Sierra Club People Department in consultation with the employee’s manager. The Sierra Club cannot guarantee the approval of a visa petition. The Sierra Club is an equal opportunity employer committed to workforce belonging. To Apply Please remove your schools from your resume. You may leave your degree (e.g., “B.A. Philosophy”), but please remove any undergraduate and graduate school names including from your work experience section. This anonymous process is aimed at opening this opportunity to more candidates, reviewing applicants on performance assessments, and mitigating bias in the decision making process. Lastly, we are intentionally not asking for a cover letter, so please do not send one in with your application. The Sierra Club provides equal employment and advancement opportunities to all staff members. Employment decisions are based on merit, qualifications, lived experience and skills. The Sierra Club does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, immigration status, socioeconomic status, ancestry, age, size, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, familial status, veteran status, disability, AIDS/HIV status, medical condition, prior conviction, arrest history, traits historically associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles, or any other characteristic protected by law. The Sierra Club values applicants who are people that identify as Black, Indigenous, and other minoritized groups; women; queer, transgender, gender non-conforming, and gender fluid people. Explore, enjoy and protect the planet. We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.

Keywords: Sierra Club, Dale City , Associate / Staff Attorney, Legal , Washington, Virginia