Spring 2025 Legal Externship – Puerto Rico Team

at  Earthjustice

Earthjustice’s Puerto Rico team is accepting applications for one full- or part-time legal extern for spring 2025. We are seeking law students who share a passion for justice and a healthy environment, and who are eligible to receive academic credit or fulfill a graduation requirement through this externship. Priority will be given to those living in Puerto Rico, but the successful candidate may work remotely within the U.S. or on a hybrid schedule from one of Earthjustice’s offices.
Earthjustice is the premier nonprofit environmental law organization. We take on the biggest, most precedent-setting cases across the country. We wield the power of law and the strength of partnership to protect people’s health; to preserve magnificent places and wildlife; to advance clean energy, and combat climate change. We partner with thousands of groups, supporters, individuals, and communities to engage in the critical environmental issues of our time and bring about positive change. We are guided by a passionate, ambitious vision for the future for people and our planet. We are here because the earth needs a good lawyer.
The Puerto Rico Team uses the law and the power of partnership with local grassroots organizations and disproportionately impacted communities to promote clean and equitable renewable energy; stop the buildout of new fossil fuels infrastructure; fight air pollution from fossil fuel power plants and incinerators; protect agricultural and ecologically sensitive lands from development; improve and protect water quality; address issues related to sea level rise; and protect endangered species and biodiversity.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Enrolled in law school as a 2L or 3L during spring 2025.
• Must be eligible to receive academic credit or fulfill a graduation requirement through this externship.
• Excellent writing, research, analytical and organizational skills.
• Familiarity with legal research tools, including Westlaw.
• Strong work ethic, initiative, and ability to think creatively.
• Ability to work collegially with others and independently.
• Knowledge of environmental and administrative law is a plus.
• Demonstrated commitment to environmental protection or environmental justice.
• Commitment of at least 14 hours/week.

Under the supervision of an attorney, the legal extern may:

• Conduct factual and legal research.
• Communicate findings through internal memoranda and external presentations to clients.
• Support drafting briefs, motions, and/or other court and administrative filings.
• Participate in partner/client check-in meetings.