Climate Litigation Network (CLN) is Seeking a Legal Associate – Apply Before 2 March 2026

Overview

The Climate Litigation Network (CLN) is seeking a Legal Associate to support transnational climate litigation initiatives, focusing on corporate framework litigation and emerging fossil fuel policy workstreams. This role offers an opportunity to work at the forefront of climate law and strategic litigation.

Core Responsibilities

• Provide expert legal and advocacy support to partners advancing strategic climate litigation nationally
• Conduct legal research relevant to climate litigation and disseminate findings across the CLN network
• Develop new legal strategies for challenging corporations’ and governments’ inadequate climate policies in consultation with national partners
• Represent CLN in legal, scientific, policy, and academic networks
• Supervise or mentor junior staff, Research Fellows, or Interns as needed
• Support operational functions of CorpNet, including fundraising and monitoring/evaluation of workstreams
• Adapt to evolving responsibilities as CorpNet develops

Requirements

Essential Skills

• Strong legal training and experience in litigation: corporate/commercial law, public law, international law, human rights, or environmental law
• Excellent legal research, analysis, and drafting skills across multiple jurisdictions
• Ability to synthesize complex materials and identify strategic relevance
• Intellectual agility, rapid learning capacity, and scientific literacy
• Effective communication of complex legal, scientific, or policy issues to diverse audiences
• Ability to manage relationships across cultural contexts, including partners, scientists, academics, and funders
• Motivated, reliable, and able to work independently and collaboratively
• Proven ability to coordinate multiple projects or workstreams concurrently
• Very high proficiency in written and spoken English
• Demonstrated interest in climate litigation

Desirable Skills

• Knowledge of climate litigation precedents and trends
• Experience in both public and private law
• Advocacy or campaign experience
• Knowledge of climate science
• Fluency in additional languages

Qualifications and Experience

Essential:

• LLB or equivalent with excellent academic performance
• 3+ years post-qualification litigation experience in law firms, non-profits, judiciary, or civil service

Desirable:

• Additional relevant work experience in law or related fields
• Postgraduate qualification in law or climate science/policy

Benefits

• Full-time, one-year contract (extension possible)
• Salary from €55,000 EUR, dependent on skills, experience, and location
• 5% employer pension contribution
• 25 days annual leave plus 8 public holidays
• Family-friendly policies and flexible working arrangements
• Enhanced sick leave / incapacity insurance
• Up to 5 days emergency leave per year
• Training, professional development, and conference participation
• Travel opportunities to meet CLN partners

How to Apply

Applicants must submit a CV/Resume, cover letter, and a legal writing sample (max 4 pages, authored solely by applicant). Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis via the online portal. For informal queries, contact McAra Kirby-Fahey at mcara@upsallinternational.com.