Summer 2027 Law Clerk

Job Title: Law Clerk
Program: Conservation

Employment Type: [ ] Salary [X] Hourly (non-exempt – this position is eligible for over time)

[ ] Part-time [X] Full-time

[X] Temporary [ ] Regular
Reports to: Staff or Senior Attorney
Direct Reports to this position: N/A
Salary Range: $19.61/hour

Location:Oakland, CA; Portland, OR; Washington, DC; or Remote

Is this position in the Bargaining Unit? [] Yes, [X] No

The Center for Biological Diversity  is currently looking for ten full-time Law Clerks for Summer 2027 who share an interest in and passion for justice and environmental protection. Clerks will be hired and then assigned to a program—either Oceans, Carnivore Conservation, the Climate Law Institute, Endangered Species, Public Lands, Urban Wildlands, or Environmental Health. (Other programs and other locations may be hiring separately. Interested applicants are welcome to apply for those positions as well). The expectation is that clerks will work full-time hours (40 hours per week). The typical clerkship lasts ten weeks.

All clerkship positions may be completed remotely. Applicants also have the option to work in person at the following office locations:

- Climate Law Institute: Oakland, California or Washington, D.C.

- Urban Wildlands Program: Oakland, California

- Oceans Program: Oakland, California

- Endangered Species Program: Portland, Oregon

The following programs are remote-only:

- Carnivore Conservation Program

- Public Lands Program

- Environmental Health Program

Depending on office capacity limitations, remote-only clerks may have the option to work from a Center office. If you would like to work remotely from a Center office, please indicate your office preference(s) in your cover letter.
To apply, please upload a:

1. cover letter explaining your interest in working at the Center, your program placement preference (if any), and your office location or remote preference (see explanation above for location options);
2. resume;

3. writing sample, preferably of no more than 10 pages that reflects your own legal analysis;
4. transcript (unofficial is fine); and
5. list of three references.

Please submit all application materials via our website at .

Incomplete applications will not be considered. Application review will begin September 15, 2026, but applications will continue to be accepted until the positions are filled. The desired start date is May 17, 2027. You will be notified if you are selected for an interview.  No telephone calls, please.

ABOUT THE CENTER
The Center for Biological Diversity , a national 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, believes the welfare of human beings is deeply linked to nature — to the existence of a vast diversity of wild animals, plants, and people. Because diversity has intrinsic value, and because its loss impoverishes society, we work to secure a future for all species, great and small, hovering on the brink of extinction. We do so through science, law, activism, and creative media, with a focus on protecting the lands, waters, and climate that humans, other species, and all communities need to survive and thrive.

We want those who come after us to inherit a world where the wild is still alive.

POSITION SUMMARY
Attorneys at the Center for Biological Diversity work on issues as varied as endangered species, ocean protection, climate change, environmental health, water resources, biomass energy, the protection of public lands, and land use in the urban-wildland interface. Law clerks work on environmental law and litigation projects designed to have a conservation impact. They will work with experienced attorneys who provide supervision, training, and mentorship. Clerks will usually be assigned to a program area that aligns with their interests in endangered species, ocean protection, climate change, public lands, environmental health, or carnivore conservation. Law clerks assist with legal research and writing, litigation, and administrative advoca