Legal Fellow

Overview

NRDC (the Natural Resources Defense Council) works to safeguard the Earth, its people, its plants and animals, and the natural systems on which all life depends. NRDC combines the power of more than 3 million members and online activists with the expertise of some 800 policy advocates, lawyers, scientists, and communication experts to confront the climate crisis, protect nature, ensure the rights of all people to clean air, clean water, and healthy communities.  As an international nonprofit environmental organization, NRDC is working to address the world’s most urgent environmental challenges, and advance innovative, science-based, and enforceable solutions.  

Since our founding in 1970, NRDC has helped craft and deliver many of America’s foundational environmental laws, including the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act and Safe Drinking Water Act. Today, we continue to lead in advancing and defending strong environmental protections at the local, state, federal and international levels, as well as through the marketplace. Our team works across the United States and around the world, from offices in Chicago, Los Angeles, New York City, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C., as well as in Beijing, and New Delhi (a subsidiary of NRDC India Pvt. Ltd.).  

Supported by our members and online activists, NRDC is driving impactful solutions that confront the climate crisis, defend nature and safeguard public health across Asia, Africa, and the Americas. At NRDC, we believe lasting change happens when people bring their talent, passion, and expertise together for a common purpose: to build a cleaner, healthier, and more resilient world. Learn more at nrdc.org 

NRDC is seeking a Howard-NRDC Legal Fellow to work with the Litigation Team in one of our U.S.-based offices. 

Position Summary 

NRDC is seeking a recent graduate of Howard University School of Law to work as a fellow with the Litigation Team in one of our U.S. offices: Chicago; New York; San Francisco; Santa Monica; or Washington, D.C. This is a 2 year fellowship starting Fall 2027 through Fall 2029. 

The Howard-NRDC Legal Fellowship is open to candidates who graduated from Howard University School of Law in 2024 or later, as well as current Howard Law students who will graduate this academic year (2026-2027). Applicants must be available to start no later than Fall 2027.  

The position you are applying for is part of the bargaining unit represented by The Washington Baltimore News Guild (WBNG / The Newsguild-CWA Local 32035).   

Responsibilities

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS  

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the following essential functions: 

• Work with teams of lawyers and paralegals on active cases and case development projects, including by both providing support on cases led by senior attorneys and by leading cases, or substantial aspects of cases, under the supervision of senior attorneys. 
• Collaborate with NRDC program staff, clients, experts, and coalition and community partners to support litigation goals. 
• Conduct legal research and factual investigations. 
• Write briefs, motions, and memoranda. 
• When opportunities arise, participate in court hearings; engage in discovery and conduct record and document review; and/or prepare for and take depositions.  
• Contribute to the Team and NRDC’s litigation capacity in other ways, e.g., by managing legal intern hiring and supervision, serving on institutional committees, organizing continuing legal education (CLE) presentations and other trainings, building relationships with other components of NRDC and allied groups, and engaging in development outreach. 

The above list of duties is not comprehensive but generally demonstrates the types of matters under this position’s responsibility. Other duties may be assigned. 

Qualifications

Minimum Education & Experience:  

• A Juris Doctorate (J.D.) (graduation year 2024 or later) and 0 to 3 years of post-graduate experience.     
• Admitted to the the bar of the jurisdiction in which the applicant intends to practice, or willing to complete the requirements for admission to that bar before or during the first year of the fellowship. (NRDC covers a portion of any necessary bar exam and bar preparation expenses.) 

Skills, Abilities, Competencies  

• Strong legal writing and analytical skills. 
• Strong oral communication skills. 
• Ability to work independently and take initiative. 
• Ability to work effectively with a team. 
• Strong work ethic and growth mindset.  
• Ability to maintain composure and sense of humor under deadline pressure. 
• Ability to travel occasionally to other NRDC US offices and attend court hearings and other case-related meetings as appropriate (approximately 10% or less of total working time annually) 
• Demonstrated competency in working with people with different social identities than their own (including race, gender, sexual identity or orientation, age, class, and disability). 
• Creativity and resourcefulness. 
• Demonstrated commitment to public service, equity, or social justice. 
• Commitment to NRDC’s mission, values, and DEI principles 

 PHYSICAL DEMANDS   

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position within the described work environment. 

Frequently: Perform desk-based computer tasks 

Frequently: Ability to interact and communicate with employees and others as necessary 

Frequently:  Attend planned meetings and collaborate with management and coworkers 

Occasionally: Ability to attend events and activities in the office or offsite  

Work is sometimes performed primarily in office.  The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet in office settings and moderate in other situations.  Hours of employment may sometimes require working flexible and/or longer hours, including nights and weekends, when necessitated by projects. The job includes work-related situations such as those involving challenging, important, urgent, time-sensitive, or multiple matters. 

NRDC is committed to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion, both in our work and in our workplace. We believe that celebrating and actively welcoming diverse voices and perspectives is essential to solving the planet's most pressing environmental problems, and we encourage applications from candidates whose identities have been historically under-represented in the environmental movement. 

We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, marital status, sexual orientation, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.  

We offer competitive salaries, excellent benefits, and a supportive working environment. Salary is based on a nonprofit scale and is commensurate with skills and experience. Internal equity will be reviewed and considered to determine a final offer. For this position, the salary range is $94,500 to $105,000.  

Perks & Benefits 

Not only do we care about taking care of our planet, we care about taking care of you. When you join our team, we invest in your total well-being. Here is a small glimpse on how we plan to support you: 

• Time to Unplug & Recharge: Enjoy a generous time-off policy, highlighted by a company-wide year-end Rest & Recharge Week to reset for the new year. 

• Family – First: Generous family leave policy beyond federal requirements for all NRDCers 

• For your Future: Matching 403b whether you contribute or not 

• Hybrid Policy: The freedom to balance your time around your needs that means, 8 days per month in-office. In-office day requirements can be met with off-site work events such as retreats, conferences, and other work-related travel. 

• Well – being: Premium Comprehensive healthcare and mental health programs. 

To apply, visit www.nrdc.org/careers and upload your résumé and cover letter. Please mention where you saw this posting and upload any additional materials that showcase your abilities. Due to the high volume of applications, we will contact only those candidates we would like to interview. Please no phone calls, emails, or in-person résumé drop-offs. 

If you experience technical problems while applying or if you are a person with a disability and need assistance applying online, please reach out to iCIMS Customer Care at 1-800-889-4422. 

For more about NRDC, visit www.nrdc.org.