Staff Attorney or Senior Staff Attorney
Location: Madison, WI
Midwest Environmental Advocates (MEA) is hiring a Staff Attorney or Senior Staff Attorney.
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. We provide legal services to communities with environmental concerns. We build their power by enhancing their know-how and by working collaboratively to create opportunities for their voices to impact legal and policy outcomes.
MEA has a broad portfolio of high-impact litigation. Our work focuses on the protection of the Great Lakes, opposing fossil fuel infrastructure, mitigating climate change, upholding the Public Trust Doctrine, supporting the environmental sovereignty of Native Nations, and strengthening policy and regulatory responses to water contamination. Visit our website at midwestadvocates.org to learn more.
REPRESENTATIVE CASES
- MEA represents Wisconsin youth in a landmark constitutional climate lawsuit challenging state laws that exacerbate the climate crisis and violate young people’s state constitutional rights.
- MEA is challenging Enbridge’s effort to construct a new 41‑mile segment of the Line 5 oil pipeline in northern Wisconsin.
- MEA also leads legal challenges against permits for large industrial farms on behalf of rural Wisconsinites. Our recent litigation has achieved important appellate court decisions and improved on-the-ground conditions for impacted communities.
- MEA provides legal representation to Native Nations to support recognition of Tribal environmental sovereignty and self-determination.
POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES:
This position works collaboratively within MEA’s legal team to provide legal representation and advocacy for Wisconsin communities confronting environmental injustice, using litigation, administrative advocacy, and community partnership to strengthen environmental protection.
- Develop and litigate cases in collaboration with MEA colleagues and external partners.
- Develop and engage in legal advocacy by drafting rulemaking petitions, submitting comments to agencies, developing fact sheets and other materials, participating in coalition meetings, and drafting and reviewing legislation.
- Work with Wisconsin residents and other organizations to identify threats and opportunities to improve public rights and the environment.
- Provide mentorship and feedback for legal interns and periodically supervise law students within MEA’s clerkship program and new attorneys serving as fellows at MEA.
- Appear at public events to professionally represent MEA.
- Occasional in-state travel is required for trials, client meetings, public hearings, and other events.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
- Awareness of and respect for the needs and concerns of individuals from diverse backgrounds and knowledge of or connection to communities that have historically been denied meaningful input into environmental decision-making.
- A commitment to environmental stewardship and public interest law.
- Exceptional writing, research, analytical, and public speaking skills.
- High-level organizational and time management skills and attention to detail.
- Ability to work independently to manage multiple goals while effectively communicating and collaborating within a team structure.
- Juris Doctor from an accredited law school and licensed to practice law in the state of Wisconsin (or the willingness to become a member of the Wisconsin bar upon hire).
- A track record of effective collaboration within organizations and coalitions.
- Neither previous environmental law experience nor post-law school legal experience is required to be considered for this position.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Four or more years of legal experience in the areas of Wisconsin administrative law and/or environmental law. Experience with energy law, appellate practice, Federal Indian law, or Tribal law is a plus.
- High-level litigation skills, including case investigation, brief writing, pre-trial preparation, oral advocacy and trials, and settlement negotiations, showing a track record of success, increasing independence, and responsibility.
- Experience supervising and mentoring law students and young attorneys.
- Scientific literacy and ability to work with scientific experts to digest complex issues.
- Experience in policy development, analysis, and review.
COMPENSATION
Candidates may be considered for either the Staff Attorney or Senior Staff Attorney title based on criteria outlined in an internal rubric. Compensation for both roles will reflect experience and qualifications. The salary range for the positions is $70,000 to $110,000 per year. In addition, MEA offers a generous benefits package including medical, dental, long-term disability, and a retirement plan with employer match. We offer flexible telework policies; however, this is not a remote position.
HOW TO APPLY
Interested applicants should submit a cover letter, resume, legal writing sample (<20 pp.) and three references by email. If possible, please combine all documents into one PDF file before submission. Your one-page cover letter should indicate how you heard about this position and should address how you satisfy the minimum qualifications listed above and highlight any key examples of how you meet the preferred qualifications.
Midwest Environmental Advocates
ATTN: Ry Carpenter, Administrative Manager
634 W. Main St, Suite 201
Madison, WI 53703
rcarpenter@midwestadvocates.org
Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Applications received by March 31, 2026, will receive full consideration.
For more information about MEA, visit www.midwestadvocates.org.
MEA’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion is rooted in our organizational values of community, stewardship, empowerment, and justice. We strive to contribute to a more powerful and equitable movement for environmental justice in Wisconsin, and we believe it is essential that all communities see themselves reflected in that movement. Diversity, equity, and inclusion strengthen our organization's ability to advance environmental justice. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.