Attorney: Defensive Environmental Litigation for NYS (3898)

Social Justice Division

Environmental Protection Bureau – New York City

Assistant Attorney General

Reference No. EPB_NYC_AAG_3898

Application Deadline is September 11, 2026

Salary Range: $87,356 - $186,493 + $4,000 in location pay

To be considered for this opportunity, submit a complete application online at ag.ny.gov/job-postings/attorneys

Prior litigation experience required but experience litigating environmental and energy cases and knowledge of state and federal environmental statutes is not required. This position is an excellent opportunity for litigators to laterally transition to an environmental justice and environmental litigation practice while joining a supportive and collegial team of professionals working together to protect the rights of all New Yorkers to clean air, clean water, and safe and healthy communities.

The Office of the New York State Attorney General’s (OAG) Environmental Protection Bureau is seeking an experienced litigator to serve in the New York City office. This position involves representing the state in environmental, public health, and energy matters in lawsuits in state and federal court, and in proceedings before administrative agencies. The Environmental Protection Bureau enforces state and federal environmental laws that protect New Yorkers’ rights to clean air, clean water, and safe and healthy communities, and conducts investigations into violations of those laws. The bureau is focused on advancing environmental justice throughout the state, including addressing the inequitable distribution of pollution and other environmental health burdens, and associated health disparities. The bureau also defends in both federal and state courts the state’s executive agencies charged with environmental responsibilities, including the Departments of Environmental Conservation, Health, and Transportation; the Adirondack Park Agency; and the Lake George Park Commission, among others. The bureau is a national leader in multistate federal environmental advocacy and litigation.

This opening is primarily for attorneys interested in defensive litigation, although some part of the duties may include affirmative litigation and investigations to enforce state and federal environmental laws and regulations. Recent matters handled by the bureau’s attorneys include defending the first suit brought challenging the state’s interpretation of New York’s Green Amendment; defending the state’s application of New York’s Climate Act to the permitting of a power plant; leading a multistate coalition in litigation to defend EPA’s greenhouse gas emissions standards for fossil fuel-fired power plants; a natural resource damages action to recover for the lost use of a public park in an environmental justice community as a result of illicit dumping; advocating for national standards to protect workers from extreme heat; lead paint hazard enforcement in low-income residential housing; and school bus engine idling enforcement. Attorneys also develop and litigate contaminated site cleanup cost recovery actions and recently negotiated agreements regarding the decommissioning and cleanup of nuclear power plants and surrounding sites that are viewed as national models.

Minimum Qualifications

Qualifications:

• At least five (5) years of complex civil litigation practice are required. However, applicants with more experience are strongly encouraged to apply.
• Applicants with litigation experience in clean energy, climate change, or other environmental or public health issues are preferred; or applicants may have other litigation experience with a strong demonstrated interest in these areas.
• Applicants should have experience litigating in federal and/or state courts, including the following: writing briefs (or portions of briefs), performing document review, conducting depositions or other witness examinations, appearing in court, and conducting or participating in settlement negotiations.
• Excellent research, reasoning, writing, and editing skills with the ability to complete quality writing assignments in a short timeframe.
• Strong oral advocacy skills and comfortable arguing before a court.
• Ability to work with partner organizations and to help build coalitions.
• Self-directed and organized with the ability to independently manage assignments, deadlines, and priorities.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship management skills, particularly when engaging with members of the public, scientific and technical staff, expert and fact witnesses, administrative agencies, and other members of litigation teams.
• A demonstrated commitment to public service.

The OAG is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to a workplace that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive. We are seeking a diverse pool of candidates who are creative thinkers with strong writing, analytical, and organizational skills as well as a demonstrated commitment to public service and social, economic, and criminal justice. Applicants who are members of groups underrepresented in attorney roles, which include but are not limited to Black, Latinx, Indigenous American, Asian and Pacific Islander persons; women; persons with disabilities; and LGBTQIA+ persons are particularly encouraged to apply. Fluency in other languages is a plus but not required.

Applicants must reside in (or intend to soon become a resident of) New York state and be admitted to practice law in New York state. In addition, the Public Officers Law requires that OAG attorneys be citizens of the United States. A two (2) year commitment upon being hired is a condition of employment.