Farm and Food Legal Fellow – Conservation Law Foundation

Conservation Law Foundation (CLF) is seeking a legal fellow to work in its Rhode Island Advocacy Center. Working with the director of the Rhode Island Advocacy Center, as well as program staff, the Rhode Island Farm and Food Legal Fellow will be responsible for a suite of work related to CLF’s Farm and Food Initiative. Responsibilities will include identifying and advocating for policy changes, building coalitions, developing and overseeing a direct legal assistance pro bono network, conducting outreach and trainings, and communicating with the press and the public.

This position is based in CLF’s Providence office. The position will be full-time for two years, with the possibility of extension contingent on fundraising.

The ideal candidate will:

• Have a J.D. and be a member of a state bar (Rhode Island Bar membership strongly preferred);
• Have experience working with issues relating to agriculture, aquaculture, or other elements of the food system;
• Have experience working with private law firms;
• Have demonstrated experience with policy advocacy;
• Have strong interpersonal skills, including the proven ability to work with people from different backgrounds and communities;
• Have the ability to understand and explain scientific issues related to CLF’s environmental advocacy;
• Have excellent organizational skills;
• Have exemplary oral and written communication skills;
• Be able to manage multiple advocacy projects;
• Be a mature self-starter, able to work both independently and as a productive team member;
• Be a persuasive, credible, well-prepared advocate;
• Have the capacity to develop expertise in relevant non-legal technical or policy areas.

General Advocacy Work

• Conduct outreach to a diverse set of Rhode Island food-system stakeholders to identify common legal issues;
• Build alliances and coalitions among community groups, public officials, business interests, and advocacy organizations;
• Develop and oversee a direct legal assistance pro bono network serving farmers, aquaculturists, food businesses, and food organizations (the Legal Services Food Hub);
• Develop trainings to advise food-system stakeholders, pro bono attorneys, community groups, and other advocacy groups on legal and policy matters;
• Write public educational materials, articles, and opinion pieces;
• Educate and advocate to local, state, and federal legislatures and administrations;
• Engage in public outreach and speaking on advocacy initiatives;
• Work effectively with administrative support staff;
• Work with other CLF attorneys and communications and policy specialists; and
• Work with the media to amplify and disseminate CLF’s work and policy goals.

Management Responsibilities

• Participate in efforts to raise financial support for individual initiatives and for the organization as a whole, and prepare funder reports and related materials as requested by the Rhode Island advocacy center director and/or program directors;
• Be actively involved in the mentoring and recruiting activities for interns, staff, and volunteers;
• Prepare and present for management and board approval proposals for new work; and
• Participate in program strategic planning.

Experience in a nonprofit public interest advocacy setting is highly desirable. Candidate must be a registered member of a state bar (Rhode Island strongly preferred).

Salary and Benefits

CLF offers a competitive salary for a legal fellow, an extensive benefits plan, and an open, inclusive, and accepting work environment where differences are highly respected.

CLF protects New England’s environment for the benefit of all people. A nonprofit, member-supported organization, CLF uses the law, science and the market to solve the region’s most challenging environmental problems from climate change to ocean conservation to transportation. Every day, CLF advocates stand up for New Englanders — in statehouses, courthouses and boardrooms, regulatory hearings and community gatherings — to forge innovative paths to environmental progress and economic prosperity for all in our region. To that end, CLF works with communities of color, and also communities that are economically or otherwise disadvantaged, which often suffer disproportionately the impacts of environmental degradation. CLF is committed to representing New England’s diversity in our staff, volunteers, boards and membership and creating a positive, inclusive workplace culture where all can thrive. People of color are encouraged to apply.

To Apply

Send your resume titled “your last name-first initial-resume” (e.g. “SMITH J RESUME”) and a detailed cover letter titled “your last name-first initial-cover” (e.g. “SMITH J COVER”) to careers@clf.org. Please make “Rhode Island Legal Fellow” the subject of your e-mail. No phone calls please. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.