Litigation Associate

Pay: $175,000.00 - $185,000.00 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 won't be sitting on the bench; you'll 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
• 1,700-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, we've 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 VNF's 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. You'll be part of a tight-knit, collegial team handling some of the most technically complex and consequential environmental cases in the country — and you'll 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 doesn't 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

6/12 UPDATE: Only submit candidates that have clear longevity. Do not send Job hoppers. Candidates need to be at their current job for longer than 2 years to consider. Probably much more.

They would like: Litigators with experience in federal, state, or local courts or in administrative litigation with experience handling energy or environmental-related litigation.

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: $175,000

• 4+ years experience: $180,000 to $185,000

• Bonus: Performance-based bonus for associates exceeding 1,700 billable hours

Submission Email: Name / Celeste -

cotsuka@vnf.com

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 firm's broader regulatory and transactional practice groups. They're 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