Senior Staff Attorney

THE ORGANIZATION 

MISSION 

As You Sow seeks to promote environmental and social corporate responsibility through shareholder advocacy, coalition building, and innovative legal strategies. 

VISION 

Our vision is a safe, just, and sustainable world in which protecting the environment and human rights is central to corporate decision-making.

OVERVIEW

As You Sow is a Berkeley-based non-profit 501(c)(3) organization founded in 1992. We work across a range of issue areas including climate and energy; biodiversity; circular economy; environmental health; and social justice.  

We believe that a safe, just, and sustainable world for all can be achieved by moving corporations to take responsibility for the impacts of their policies and practices. We achieve this goal through direct engagement with corporate management, formal shareholder resolutions, original research and reports, and innovative legal action, among others. We also work to foster and align investors and investments with a sustainable economy, a healthy environment, and thriving communities.

COMMITMENT TO DEI (Diversity and Inclusion)

As You Sow actively seeks to recruit & retain a diverse staff in all areas of our work. We do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of age, race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, marital status, sex, or sexual orientation.

THE POSITION

As You Sow seeks an experienced Sr. Staff Attorney to lead in the development of high-profile impaction litigation & legal strategies that advance & defend shareholder rights; challenge state & federal actions to prevent investor consideration of environmental, social, & governance risk; and to advance consumer protection, environmental, derivative, & related actions that drive accountability & change.  

The Attorney's responsibilities include responding quickly and effectively to emerging legal, legislative, & regulatory challenges; writing amicus briefs for submission in key federal & state cases; drafting regulatory petitions; communicating & working productively with a range of colleagues and organizations; advancing & defending regulatory law across the range of issues on which As You Sow works; & participating in the formulation and advancement of organizational strategies, including assisting staff in drafting resolutions & defending company challenges to resolutions filed with the SEC. The ideal candidate will be a key part of an inventive & dedicated staff in creating change that benefits shareholders, companies, communities, & the environment.

The Sr. Attorney's primary focus is to develop and execute high-profile impact litigation based on innovative legal theories, including responding to evolving threats to shareholder rights. The Attorney works closely with As You Sow’s President & Chief Counsel in strategic litigation development.

The ideal candidate has litigation experience with an ability to think strategically & creatively. The candidate will have experience in at least one of the following areas: environmental, corporate and securities, and/or administrative law, & have interest or experience in consumer protection, state & federal constitutional law, &/or federal courts issues such as standing & jurisdiction. Experience in securities or corporate governance is a strong plus. The ideal candidate will also have excellent research, writing, & public speaking skills.

This position joins an inventive and dedicated staff in creating change that benefits shareholders, companies, communities, & the environment. As You Sow staff are based remotely, & the ideal candidate will have a proven track record of self-motivation and driving tasks to completion.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Produce consistently high-quality work & undertake activities including:

• Work with As You Sow’s President & Chief Counsel to develop and execute, innovative legal strategies that promote environmental & social justice, advance corporate responsibility, defend shareholder rights & progress on environmental & social justice issues, & challenge state and federal laws & regulations impeding those interests;

• Recruit & coordinate with outside pro bono counsel;

• Develop & carry out innovative legal cases that advance shareholder rights, protect existing laws & regulations in pertinent forums including the SEC, & support & defend democratic principles;

• Assist staff in advancing or defending As You Sow’s core program areas & assist with the legal aspects of As You Sow’s shareholder advocacy work;

• Work collaboratively with As You Sow program staff, allies, & the legal community to respond to new legal, economic, or political challenges;

• Build & maintain relationships with partner organizations.

QUALIFICATIONS

• J.D. degree (or foreign equivalent);

• Licensed to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction;

• 3 or more years of post-graduate legal experience (including clerkships or fellowships) with litigation experience;

• You can:
  • work independently in a remote working environment while meeting deadlines;

• • juggle multiple tasks & respond quickly to new challenges;

• • produce work product in a rapidly evolving landscape;

• Flexibility, creativity, & sense of humor;
• Demonstrated commitment to progressive social & environmental change

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM US

• Salary: $85,000 to $120,000, depending on experience  

• Benefits: Health, dental, vision, long term disability, and life insurance; employee assistance program; 401(k) with 4% match; parental leave; phone/internet stipend; 18 holidays; two personal days; one volunteer day; nine sick days; and 10 vacation days in first year of employment, 15 vacation days the second year, and 20 vacation days the third year and beyond  

• A team that is passionate and fun  

• A low-ego, high-performance culture and flexible work environment