Litigation Associate

About the Firm

Van Ness Feldman is a nationally recognized law firm focused on energy, environmental, and natural resources law and policy. Home to 100 attorneys and policy professionals, the Firm has offices in Washington, DC; Seattle; the Bay Area; Houston; and Louisiana. For nearly 50 years, the Firm has provided strategic business advice, legislative and policy advocacy, legal and regulatory compliance counsel, representation in administrative proceedings and litigation, and support for project development, permitting, and transactions.

About the Position

Van Ness Feldman seeks a mid-level litigation associate (2-4 years’ experience) to join our litigation, enforcement, and investigations practice group.

VNF’s litigation practice group represents clients in environmental litigation in federal district court, including claims under CERCLA/Superfund, the Clean Water Act, the Clean Air Act, the National Environmental Policy Act, the Endangered Species Act, and similar state and federal statutes. The practice group also regularly supports VNF’s environment, land use, natural resources, real estate, and energy regulatory practice groups in litigation matters. While VNF is organized into these primary practice groups, our professionals also work on complex litigation and claims for clients beyond environment and energy, including claims on behalf of Indian tribes.

Candidates should demonstrate:

• Strong academic credentials;
• Experience with major litigation matters in federal court, either as attorney or clerk;
• Ability to synthesize complex legal and technical issues into digestible legal analysis;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills;
• Experience in drafting legal work product such as legal memoranda, client recommendations, pleadings, and/or discovery requests and responses;
• Outstanding time management and organizational skills and attention to detail;
• Team attitude with the ability to work independently on discrete legal issues; and
• Experience with environmental statutes and implementing regulations such as CERCLA/Superfund, the Clean Water Act, the Clean Air Act, the Endangered Species Act, the National Environmental Policy Act, and/or similar state and federal statutes, as well as equitable claims; experience with Indian law is a plus.

The successful associate will be given significant responsibility within a dynamic and collegial team-based structure. The position will be based either in Washington, DC or Seattle, WA, with an expectation to be in the office at least three times per week, and may also involve collaboration across firm offices. The associate will work directly with experienced and accomplished environmental litigators on a variety of matters. While the work will be primarily litigation, a portion of the work may include representation of clients in non-litigation matters. Due to the technical nature of the practice, an undergraduate degree or some experience in a scientific field (environmental science, biology, chemistry, engineering, etc.) will be helpful but is not required. Federal clerks are highly encouraged to apply.

In addition to joining an active and highly collaborative team, the candidate will be part of a Firm that is committed to accommodating a healthy work/life balance. Associates are expected to be in the office at least three days a week, but scheduling is flexible. With a 1,700 annual billable hour requirement, (of which up to 100 hours can be qualifying pro bono or business development activities), associates are encouraged to work hard while cultivating their passions outside the office. The Firm rewards associates who exceed the target with a generous bonus. The Firm also offers a competitive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance; a 401(k) profit-sharing plan; and employee wellness opportunities. The culture at VNF relies on mutual respect, appreciation, and support of one another. A focus on professional development is central, which includes regular feedback and training opportunities to enhance professional growth. VNF seeks individuals who share this approach and bring a collaborative mindset to our unique and rewarding Firm culture.

Van Ness Feldman is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The estimated base salary range for a 2 year associate is $175,000-185,000. In addition to base salary, total compensation includes a generous bonus when the annual billable hour target is exceeded.