Staff Attorney - Wildlife Law Program

Posted 3 days ago

friends of animalsHartford (CT)

Lawyers Offices of Lawyers

SENIORITY

Mid

SALARY

$75,000-$100,000

Apply

About the role

Our Wildlife Law Program Is Hiring! Staff Attorney Position Announcement: Friends of Animals is pleased to announce the opening of the hiring process for an experienced litigation attorney for its Wildlife Law Program (WLP), located in Greenwood Village, Colorado. The attorney has the option to work remotely two days a week. Friends of Animals is a non-profit, international animal advocacy organization, incorporated in the state of New York since 1957. Friends of Animals advocates for the rights of nonhuman animals, free-living and domestic. Our goal is to free animals from cruelty and institutionalized exploitation around the world. Established in 2013, the WLP fills a niche between animal and environmental advocacy. The WLP focuses on the defense of wildlife and their habitats throughout the world. The program utilizes a variety of laws to promote the rights of wildlife, including the Endangered Species Act, the National Environmental Policy Act, the Wildlife Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act, Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and international treaties like the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. Most of our work involves administrative law actions against federal agencies.

Position Summary: Friends of Animals WLP seeks to hire an experienced litigator to join the WLP team, which currently consists of four practicing attorneys, a legal fellow, and a Philanthropy and Communications Manager. The WLP works to protect wildlife and their habitats. We seek projects that have the potential for creating system-wide change to end and prevent human manipulation, exploitation, and abuse of wild animals. We also work to dispel myths that conservation depends on killing, exploiting, or objectifying other living beings. Our current work includes cases to protect wild horses on public lands, to protect threatened and endangered species from habitat destruction and human exploitation, and to keep wild animals wild.

Responsibilities:

Lead litigation in federal district and appellate courts, and potentially state courts.· Prepare pleadings, motions, responses, and briefs.· Investigate and research factual bases for potential cases.· Draft comments in federal rulemaking proceedings.· Provide mentoring and supervision for junior attorneys and interns.· Coordinate and collaborate with Friends of Animals’ direct advocacy staff.· Prepare and deliver presentations for professional conferences, fundraising events, etc. when needed.

Qualifications:

Five or more years of litigation experience preferred.· Understand and be committed to the mission of Friends of Animals.· Excellent writing, communication, research and oral advocacy skills.· Strong work ethic, attention to detail and time management skills, demonstrated ability to meet deadlines.· Excellent organizational skills.· Excellent interpersonal skills and can communicate effectively with co-workers, supporters, etc.· Experience mentoring and supervising others preferred.· Experience with administrative law preferred.· Admitted to practice law in at least one state and willingness to sit for the Colorado bar exam (if not already admitted in the state).

Compensation and Benefits: Friends of Animals offers a competitive salary and benefits package. The Staff Attorney will be compensated commensurate with their experience and with the other members of our team, with annual salary of $75,000-$100,000, depending on experience. Benefits include paid vacation and health insurance where the organization will pay the attorney’s full premiums, deductibles, and prescription costs. Friends of Animals will pay bar dues and other professional expenses. Friends of Animals is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity.

How To Apply: Send cover letter, current resume, and writing sample to. Preference will be given to candidates who apply by August 1, 2026, after which applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Before you apply

Applying takes about a minute. These four things decide how fast it moves after that.

Your profile is current

It's what we read first. Occupations, seniority and locations matter more than a long history.

Two examples you can talk through

Not a portfolio — just two pieces of work where you can explain the decisions and what you'd change.

A number in mind

What you're on now and what would make you move. We negotiate better when we know both.

Your notice period

Employers plan around it, and it's the question that stalls offers most often.

Once you apply, someone reads it and calls you before anything reaches the employer — usually within two working days.