Litigation Associate

Pay: $175000.00 - $185000.00 per year

WHY THIS IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY

• Join a nationally recognized law firm with nearly 50 years of experience at the intersection of business government environment and energy a practice built on real complexity and high-stakes outcomes
• Take on significant responsibility early you wont be sitting on the bench; youll be working directly alongside experienced environmental litigators on substantive federal and state court matters
• Handle genuinely interesting work: environmental litigation spanning CERCLA/Superfund the Clean Water Act the Clean Air Act NEPA the Endangered Species Act and more including matters on behalf of Indian tribes
• Work within a collaborative team-based litigation group that values your growth invests in your development and trusts you to drive matters forward
• 1700-hour annual billable requirement (including up to 100 hours of pro bono or business development) a realistic target that supports balance without stalling your career
• Generous bonus structure for associates who exceed the target
• Flexible scheduling within a hybrid model 3 days/week in-office with autonomy over how you structure your time
• Comprehensive benefits package: medical dental vision 401(k) profit-sharing paid time off paid holidays parental leave life and disability insurance EAP resources and professional development support

Location: This role can be based in either our Seattle WA or Washington DC office. We operate on a hybrid schedule primarily in-office with genuine flexibility in a collegial environment where teamwork and accountability define the culture.

Note: Candidates must be a licensed attorney with 2 years of experience in litigation including drafting legal work product such as pleadings memoranda and discovery. Experience with environmental statutes (CERCLA Clean Water Act Clean Air Act ESA NEPA or similar) is strongly preferred. Active bar admission or eligibility to waive into Washington State or DC is required.

ABOUT US

We are a nationally recognized law firm with nearly 50 years of focused experience helping clients navigate the complex intersection of business and government. Our team of attorneys and policy professionals provides legal counsel regulatory compliance guidance legislative and policy advocacy and representation in administrative proceedings and litigation across the energy environment and natural resources sectors. With more than 100 professionals across offices in Washington DC; Seattle; the Bay Area; Houston; and Baton Rouge weve built a reputation for sophisticated high-quality results even in the most challenging situations. Confidential Employer.

JOB DESCRIPTION

• Represent clients in environmental litigation in federal district court including claims under CERCLA/Superfund the Clean Water Act the Clean Air Act NEPA the Endangered Species Act and comparable state statutes
• Draft high-quality legal work product including pleadings legal memoranda client recommendations and discovery requests and responses
• Work directly with experienced environmental litigators on a variety of complex matters taking on meaningful responsibility from day one
• Support VNFs broader environment land use natural resources real estate and energy regulatory practice groups in litigation-adjacent matters
• Handle complex litigation and claims for clients beyond environment and energy including matters on behalf of Indian tribes
• Manage multiple workstreams with strong attention to detail sound judgment and a proactive approach to advancing matters

QUALIFICATIONS

• JD or LLM from an ABA-accredited law school
• Active bar admission or eligibility to waive into Washington State or Washington DC
• 2 years of experience in state or federal court litigation either as an attorney or judicial clerk
• Experience drafting pleadings legal memoranda client recommendations and/or discovery
• Familiarity with environmental statutes and regulations (CERCLA Clean Water Act Clean Air Act ESA NEPA or similar) strongly preferred
• Undergraduate degree or coursework in a scientific field (environmental science biology chemistry engineering etc.) a plus
• Strong research drafting and written communication skills
• Excellent oral communication skills; ability to communicate clearly and practically with clients and colleagues
• Strong organizational skills with high attention to detail and ability to meet tight deadlines

WHY YOU WILL LOVE WORKING HERE

This is a litigation practice where your work matters and your voice is heard. Youll be part of a tight-knit collegial team handling some of the most technically complex and consequential environmental cases in the country and youll be trusted with real responsibility not busywork. The firm has built a culture grounded in mutual respect genuine investment in professional development and a commitment to balance that doesnt just appear in handbooks. If you take pride in thoughtful high-quality work and want to build your career alongside people who do the same this is the place.

JPC-1210

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Requirements: Must haves: DC or WA bar license. 2 years of state or federal litigation experience

• Nice to haves: environmental law experience (CERCLA CWA CAA ESA NEPA) scientific undergraduate background judicial clerkship experience.

• Preferred Years as Associate: 2

• Additional context: Relocation- yes. Packages - unsure

• Salary Bands (Only if attorney role):

• 2 to 3 years experience: $175000

• 4 years experience: $180000 to $185000

• Bonus: Performance-based bonus for associates exceeding 1700 billable hours

Submission Email: Name / Celeste -

Quick Recruiter Reference

Van Ness Feldman is a nationally recognized mid-sized law firm (100 professionals) specializing in energy environment and natural resources law and policy. Their litigation group handles complex environmental litigation in federal and state court CERCLA Clean Water Act Clean Air Act ESA NEPA and more and also supports the firms broader regulatory and transactional practice groups. Theyre seeking a 2 year litigation associate for their Seattle or DC office with a preference for candidates who have environmental law exposure.

Recruiters Submission: To submit cancel - Litigation Associate - Van Ness Feldman LLP - JPC 1210 - Source

*New Job Order Alert*

• Client job title: Litigation Associate

• Location: Washington DC AND Seattle WA

• On-site hybrid remote: Hybrid

• Experience: 2

• Good fit job titles/keywords for candidates: Litigation Associate Attorney Environmental Litigation Attorney Environmental Lawyer Federal Court Litigator CERCLA Attorney Clean Water Act Attorney Natural Resources Litigation Attorney Environmental Associate Regulatory Litigation Attorney Indian Law Attorney

• # of hires needed: 1

• Open or not to recruiters on TE: Yes

• Job posting strategy (bottom of package details): Lit Atty 2 yrs DC