Internship - Summer Legal Intern

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation seeks a Summer Legal Intern to be based at the Philip Merrill Environmental Center located in Annapolis, MD, and may require telecommuting.
THE CHESAPEAKE BAY FOUNDATION Established over 50 years ago, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) is the nation’s leading conservation organization dedicated solely to restoring and protecting the Chesapeake Bay, our nation’s largest estuary.
With 300,000 members, an annual operating budget of $26 million, and a $55 million endowment, CBF’s 190 full time staff work in offices in Annapolis and Easton, MD; Richmond and Virginia Beach, VA; Harrisburg, PA; Washington, DC; and in 15 field education program locations across the Bay watershed.
CBF's headquarters - the Philip Merrill Environmental Center – in Annapolis is the world’s first USGBC LEED platinum building.
In 2014, CBF opened the Brock Environmental Center in Virginia Beach; the Brock Center is the tenth certified Living Building and one of the most energy efficient, environmentally smart buildings in the world.
DEPARTMENT DESCRIPTION Litigation CBF’s Litigation department evaluates opportunities for filing legal actions against private parties, states, or the federal government which support CBF objectives throughout the Bay Watershed.
In the appropriate circumstances, the department recommends that suit be filed, and if approved by the president and the litigation committee, counsel is retained, or the department staff handles litigation of the action internally.
CONTEXT OF THE POSITION The legal intern will work directly with the Vice President of Litigation, Litigation Department staff attorneys, and paralegal, as well as with other departments within the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.
Interns may also work with outside staff from other environmental organizations or governmental agencies.
Work may involve some travel in Maryland, Virginia, and Pennsylvania.
Interns have much independence and responsibility while working with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.
Interns are strongly encouraged to attend at least one of CBF’s educational field trips (canoeing, work boat, skipjack, etc.
) for a direct experience with the natural resources CBF strives to protect.
Essential functions include: 1.
Conduct legal research and write legal memos on a broad range of environmental issues.
2.
Review materials including government agency records, files, documents, and reports in support of developing litigation.
3.
Prepare comment letters on proposed regulatory actions.
4.
Work with staff to investigate and critique implementation of state laws and regulations 5.
Participate in the day-to-day life of CBF, including staff meetings, strategy sessions, and at least one CBF field experience 6.
Assist the litigation department in developing cases.
7.
Work with staff to communicate with community members and CBF’s partner groups to learn about the environmental conditions of neighborhoods in the watershed, including attending public hearings and other local environmental activities.
PREFERRED PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS CBF seeks independent, creative thinkers who will help us to act wisely and in the public interest as we strive to “Save the Bay.
” The ideal candidate will possess the following: Applicants must be a second- or third-year law student.
Experience with environmental and administrative law and civil procedure.
Strong legal research and writing, interpersonal, and communications skills.
Ability to communicate effectively with people from diverse backgrounds and experiences.
Ability to receive and give supportive feedback to foster equity and inclusion in working relationships.
To apply, please send resume and cover letter through job posting on CBF website no later than January 31, 2024.
WE ARE COMMITTED TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION, AND JUSTICE Just as biodiversity is the key to a thriving ecosystem, human diversity is the key to saving the Bay.
Success depends on people from widely diverse backgrounds, cultures, ethnicities, identities, and races taking collective action.
Clean water, clean air, and a safe environment are rights we all share.
To increase diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation will: Recruit and retain a staff, board, and membership that reflect the diversity of people living within the Chesapeake Bay region; Strengthen and broaden the diversity of our partnerships; Celebrate and value the diversity of staff; and Fight to ensure that everyone has equal access to clean water, clean air, and a safe environment.
Studies show that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every qualification listed in a job description.
Wondering whether you have the right credentials or background to apply? We value lived experience, are serious about embracing diversity, and are committed to building a team that represents our communities’ backgrounds.
We encourage BIPOC, women, people from the LGBTQ+ community, and people with disabilities to apply.
CBF is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and 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.
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