Staff Attorney or Senior Staff Attorney
Location: Madison, WI

About Midwest Environmental Advocates (MEA):
Midwest Environmental Advocates (MEA) is a nonprofit law center that combines the power of law with the resolve of communities facing environmental injustice to secure and protect the rights of all people to healthy water, land, and air.

MEA provides legal services to communities with environmental concerns, builds community power, and works collaboratively to influence legal and policy outcomes.

Their work focuses on:

• Protection of the Great Lakes
• Opposing fossil fuel infrastructure
• Climate change mitigation
• Public Trust Doctrine
• Tribal environmental sovereignty
• Water contamination policy and regulation

Representative Cases:

• Representing Wisconsin youth in a constitutional climate lawsuit
• Challenging Enbridge’s Line 5 oil pipeline expansion
• Legal action against industrial farm permits
• Supporting Native Nations’ environmental sovereignty

Position Responsibilities:

• Develop and litigate cases with internal and external partners
• Draft rulemaking petitions, public comments, fact sheets, and legislation
• Collaborate with communities and organizations on environmental issues
• Mentor interns and supervise law students/fellows
• Represent MEA at public events
• Occasional in-state travel required

Minimum Qualifications:

• Awareness of and respect for diverse communities
• Commitment to environmental/public interest law
• Strong writing, research, and analytical skills
• Strong organization and time management
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively
• Juris Doctor (JD) + Wisconsin bar admission (or willingness to obtain)
• Proven collaboration experience

Note: Environmental law experience is NOT required.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 4+ years legal experience (environmental/admin law preferred)
• Litigation experience (briefs, trials, negotiations, etc.)
• Experience mentoring junior attorneys or students
• Scientific literacy
• Policy development experience

Compensation:

• $70,000 – $110,000/year
• Benefits include:
  • Medical & dental
  • Long-term disability
  • Retirement plan with employer match
• Flexible telework (not fully remote)

How to Apply:
Submit via email:

• Cover letter (1 page)
• Resume
• Legal writing sample (<20 pages)
• 3 references

Email: rcarpenter@midwestadvocates.org

Mailing Address:
Midwest Environmental Advocates
ATTN: Ry Carpenter
634 W. Main St, Suite 201
Madison, WI 53703

Deadline:

• Rolling basis
• Priority consideration by March 31, 2026

More Info:
www.midwestadvocates.org

Equal Opportunity Statement:
MEA is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion and welcomes applicants of all backgrounds.