Description

The Southern Environmental Law Center is seeking a Staff or Senior Attorney in our Atlanta, Georgia office. This individual will join our Wetlands and Coasts team and report to our Georgia Office Director. This position is open to practicing attorneys with three or more years of experience, and the start date is flexible. 

This is an excellent opportunity to join a highly successful, nationally recognized organization that is effectively addressing some of the most pressing and challenging environmental issues throughout the South and the nation. 

SELC has a hybrid work model that offers employees the flexibility to work remotely up to two days per week. This is a full-time, exempt position and employees must reside in our region.  

About the Position

SELC’s wetlands and coasts program works to protect our region’s wetlands, marshes, coastal forests, and beaches—and the communities and wildlife that rely on them. Not only do these landscapes provide important habitat for wildlife and economic benefits for local communities, they are also some of our best defenses against climate change, storms, and flooding.  

This attorney will work in federal, state, and administrative courts; state and federal agencies; legislative bodies; and local governments to champion protections for Georgia’s wetlands and coasts. As part of this work, the attorney will (1) engage with local governments to advocate for the creation of city- or county-level protections; (2) work to ensure proposed development projects do not adversely impact Georgia’s wetlands and coasts; and (3) engage with partner organizations, communities, business leaders, policy-makers, regulators, and other stakeholders. 

Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and champion creative policy and litigation strategies to enhance wetlands and coasts protections in Georgia and across the South.  
• Build and maintain effective relationships with local officials, regulators, community members, policy-makers, partner groups, and other stakeholders.  
• Monitor proposed developments that would adversely impact Georgia’s wetlands or coasts and participate in administrative proceedings related to those projects, including researching and drafting comments, speaking at public hearings, and challenging permits where appropriate.  
• Litigate cases in state and federal courts.  
• Develop and maintain expertise in law and policy developments related to wetlands and coasts.  
• Work collaboratively with SELC’s regional program teams, communications team, geospatial team, and outside experts and consultants.  

Required Qualifications

• Experience  
  • Staff Attorney: Minimum of three years of relevant legal practice experience. 
  • Senior Attorney: Minimum of seven years of relevant legal practice experience. 
• Active license to practice law in Georgia or willingness to seek admission to practice in Georgia. 
• State or federal litigation experience. 
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and an ability to build and maintain relationships with a diverse set of clients, partners, government officials, and stakeholders. 
• Effective written and oral communication skills, including the ability to translate technical and legal issues into plain English. 
• Strong independent initiative and the ability to lead cases or matters alongside a team. 
• Willingness and ability to travel to the Georgia coast as needed. 
• A genuine interest in and commitment to helping SELC create and foster an equitable and inclusive workplace that reflects the rich racial and cultural diversity of our region. 

Desired Qualifications 

• Experience in land use, wetlands advocacy, and/or local government advocacy. 
• Experience as first chair in state and federal litigation. 

About SELC 

The Southern Environmental Law Center is one of the nation’s most powerful defenders of the environment, rooted in the South. With a long track record, SELC takes on the toughest environmental challenges in court, in government, and in our communities to protect our region’s air, water, climate, wildlife, lands, and people. Nonprofit and nonpartisan, the organization has a staff of over 200, including more than 130 legal and policy experts, and is headquartered in Charlottesville, VA, with offices in Asheville, Atlanta, Birmingham, Chapel Hill, Charleston, Nashville, Richmond, and Washington, DC. 

At our core, we are place-based, rooted in our region, and connected with the communities and clients we serve. We believe in an equitable and inclusive workplace that reflects the rich racial and cultural diversity of our region and allows diverse perspectives to come to the forefront. We approach our work with the highest level of integrity, holding ourselves to high standards with an emphasis on honesty, accountability, and thoughtfulness. We value collaboration and camaraderie, realizing we are strongest when we work together and knowing that everyone has a critical role to play. We strive for impact through a strategic, bold, pragmatic, and ambitious outlook that is dedicated to achieving powerful results. We believe in these values and in the power of SELC. We hope you consider joining us. Learn more at https://www.southernenvironment.org/.  

Compensation & Benefits 

SELC offers salaries competitive with other leading environmental nonprofits nationally and provides an excellent benefits package. The starting salary for a Staff Attorney in this position is $105,400, commensurate with experience. The starting salary for a Senior Attorney in this position is $156,700, also commensurate with experience. For more details about our benefits package, please visit our Careers page. 

SELC is a PSLF (Public Service Loan Forgiveness) eligible employer. 

SELC will also provide relocation reimbursement for those relocating for a SELC position, up to a specific dollar amount and contingent on the move being at least 50 miles from the current primary address. 

To Apply 

To apply, click on the ‘Apply Now’ button below to be directed to an online application where you may upload your application materials. Applicants must submit a cover letter, resume, law school transcript, and writing sample. The initial deadline for receipt of complete applications is September 10, 2025. However, applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled. 

SELC is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to fostering an inclusive workplace environment. We are eager to welcome new team members who share this commitment. Qualified persons of all backgrounds—including traditionally underrepresented individuals such as people of color, women, people with disabilities, veterans, and LGBTQ candidates—are strongly encouraged to apply.