Wendy Jacobs Legal Fellow

Position: Wendy Jacobs Legal Fellow

Reports to: Legal Director

Type: Full-time, one year, with the possibility of a one-year extension.

Location: Remote, flexible within the U.S.

ABOUT CATF:

Clean Air Task Force (CATF) is a nonprofit organization working to safeguard against the worst impacts of climate change by catalyzing the rapid global development and deployment of low-carbon energy and other climate-protecting technologies. This is accomplished through legal and policy advocacy, research and analysis, and partnership with the private sector. CATF is highly respected for its deep expertise and research on energy and industrial systems and potential strategies, technologies, and policies that can radically shrink their impact on the planet’s atmosphere. Our team of legal and policy advocates and experts (and global network of subject matter experts and civil society partners) put this research and knowledge into action by designing and enacting public policies that drive toward zero emissions. We also support policies and work directly with private industry to innovate in technology to make the path to zero emissions swift and affordable. CATF has offices in Boston, Washington D.C., and Brussels, with staff working virtually around the world.

ROLE:

CATF seeks an early-career attorney to join our U.S. Legal Team in the fall of 2026 as a Wendy Jacobs Legal Fellow. CATF’s Legal Team engages actively with U.S. state and federal administrative rulemaking and policy matters and represents clients in litigation. Legal Team members also support CATF’s subject-matter programs, offering them strategic legal advice on the best approaches to leveraging their technical work into robust policies and implementation. The fellow will work under the supervision of CATF’s Legal Director, with other attorneys, with CATF’s clients, and alongside CATF program staff on all phases of our advocacy efforts, from providing strategic legal or policy advice to programs, to drafting comments and building administrative records in rulemakings, litigating when appropriate, and in regular media outreach activities.

Key Functions and Responsibilities:

• Conduct legal and factual research.
• Assist in drafting comments, complaints, petitions, motions, and briefs.
• Assist more senior attorneys in building and maintaining effective working relationships with clients and partner organizations. This work involves representing CATF in multiple litigation and advocacy coalitions.
• Collaborate with CATF program staff and other technical experts in advocacy efforts.
• Provide legal, policy, and subject-matter expertise to CATF programs, as the junior member of a team of attorneys assigned to each program. Attorneys are assigned to program work based on their expertise and interests.

Skills/Qualifications:

• Education/Background:

• Juris Doctor degree and an active license to practice law in a U.S. jurisdiction (or plans to take a bar exam in the summer of 2026) required.
• An undergraduate background, or other professional training, in science or engineering is a helpful qualification but is not required, as is knowledge of or experience advocating for air pollution control, carbon capture, geothermal, nuclear fission, or fusion technologies.

• Skills:
• Self-motivated, proactive professional who works well independently and with others and who delivers high-quality work on time.
• Excellent legal research, writing, analytical, oral communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Experience:
• 0-2 years of full-time legal experience; litigation experience or a clerkship preferred
• Course work or other experience with environmental, administrative, and/or energy law, especially the Clean Air Act.
• General:
• Ability to work effectively both independently and in collaboration with others.
• Creativity, initiative, good judgment, and a strong work ethic.
• Ability and willingness to travel as needed for case work, court appearances, and meetings.
• Passion for CATF’s mission.

COMPENSATION:

This is a full-time, remote position, with location flexible within the United States. The fellowship is a one-year position with the possibility of a one-year renewal, based on performance and the availability of funding. CATF offers an excellent benefits package (details available on our careers page) and an annual salary of $95,000.

APPLICATION PROCESS AND TIMING:

Please submit a resume and a brief cover letter that describes your interest and experience. We will review applications on a rolling basis. Please be prepared to provide references and a writing sample upon request.

CATF provides equal employment opportunities.