---
title: 'Legal Intern at Sierra Club'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/legal-intern-sierra-club-oakland-2g06pxqgg8dp'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-11-05'
---

# Legal Intern at Sierra Club

- **Company:** Sierra Club
- **Location:** Oakland, CA
- **Compensation:** $18–$20/hr
- **Employment:** temporary
- **Work type:** onsite
- **Posted:** 2026-09-10
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-11-05
- **Apply:** https://jobs.lever.co/sierraclub/1d928d1f-09d1-4a8e-85d3-7fe711636186

## Job description

Job Title: Legal InternDepartment: Environmental Law ProgramLocation: Oakland, CA; Washington, DCReports to: Manager, Environmental Law ProgramDuration:

Spring/Fall: 14 weeks, 20 hours per week Summer: 10 weeks, 37.5 hours per weekContext: At the Sierra Club, we believe in the power of interdependence. Together, we remain committed to the fight for a healthy climate built on a foundation of environmental, racial, economic, and gender justice – a future where all people benefit from a healthy, thriving planet and a direct connection to nature. As the climate crisis and deeply entrenched systemic racism all fuel injustice, we will continue to fight for a bold, transformational agenda that recognizes the interconnectedness between our planet, our humanity, and our future. By recognizing that our destinies are tied, we continue to name that all things are fundamentally connected, and the overlap between ecology, race, gender, and representative government will move to either advance our collective humanity or to oppress it. Sierra Club has close to 800 staff across the country and a network of 64 local chapters that are led and fueled by thousands of volunteers. We are also proud to be a unionized employer, with three labor unions representing more than half of our employees. Scope: The Environmental Law Program is at the cutting edge of climate change litigation. We work with our allies to reduce the environmental and public health degradation that flows from the lifecycle of fossil fuel use, ranging from destructive mining and fracking to combustion to disposal. At the same time, we advocate for the expansion of energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions. In the past few years alone, we have achieved tremendous public health and climate change benefits for many communities, including for those engaged in environmental justice struggles in particular.

ELP seeks law students passionate about public interest environmental litigation to assist with our strategic lawsuits. Interns work on many aspects of litigation, including undertaking legal research, preparing written memoranda, and conducting factual investigation. During the course of the program, students typically work with several of the Club’s attorneys, thus gaining exposure to a wide range of litigation styles. Our interns are encouraged to participate in weekly legal team meetings where we discuss our dockets and strategies.

Job activities include but are not limited to:

- Conduct legal research and factual investigation.

- Prepare written memoranda, public records requests, and draft other legal documents.

- Research prospects for new litigation, including factual and legal claims.

- Assist in the review of legal documents, instruments, and other material.

- Attend court appearances (depending on cases assigned).

- Work on discovery (depending on cases assigned).

The successful candidate must have the following skills and experience:

- Currently a JD candidate.

- Exceptional writing, research, analytical, and interpersonal skills.

- Excellent organizational skills and the ability to perform multiple tasks and adhere to deadlines.

- Committed to evolution.You are committed to continuously deepening and evolving your own understanding of systems of oppression through study, openness, and humility. And you easily recognize your own relationship to privilege and power, examining and shifting your behaviors as appropriate.

- Uplifting and additive. You see mistakes as opportunities for growth; problems as catalysts for solutions, and inspire others along the journey. You carry a constructive approach, can-do attitude, a sense of humor, and authentic kindness wherever you go

The strongest candidates will also demonstrate the following experience, skills and competencies:

- A demonstrated interest in environmental and/or public interest law.

To Apply The Sierra Club provides equal employment and advancement opportunities to all staff members. Employment decisions are based on merit, qualifications, lived experience and skills. The Sierra Club does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, immigration status, socioeconomic status, ancestry, age, size, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, familial status, veteran status, disability, AIDS/HIV status, medical condition, prior conviction, arrest history, traits historically associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles, or any other characteristic protected by law.

The Sierra Club values applicants who are people that identify as Black, Indigenous, and other minoritized groups; women; queer, transgender, gender non-conforming, and gender fluid people.

Explore, enjoy and protect the planet.

## About Sierra Club

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: The Sierra Club is the largest and most enduring grassroots environmental organization in the United States, dedicated to protecting the planet, advancing climate solutions, and ensuring access to clean air, water, and a healthy environment for all.
- **Entity Type**: Private (Nonprofit 501(c)(4) organization)
- **Headquarters**: Oakland, California, United States
- **Founded**: 1892
- **Founders**: John Muir

## Core Business
- **Primary industry**: Environmental advocacy, climate action, conservation, and outdoor recreation.
- **Target customers**: B2C – millions of members, donors, volunteers, and grassroots activists; also partners with other nonprofits, campaigns, and mission-aligned companies.
- **Mission / purpose**: “To explore, enjoy, and protect the wild places of the earth; to practice and promote the responsible use of the earth's ecosystems and resources; to educate and enlist humanity to protect and restore the quality of the natural and human environment; and to use all lawful means to carry out these objectives.” ([sierraclub.org](https://www.sierraclub.org/about-sierra-club))

## Products & Services
- **Advocacy & Campaigns**: Grassroots-driven campaigns to retire coal plants, stop pipelines, promote clean energy, protect public lands, and advance environmental justice.
- **Outings & Volunteer Programs**: Over 7,500 trained volunteers lead more than 15,000 trips annually (local hikes to international expeditions).
- **Sierra Club Books**: Publishing imprint for environmental literature.
- **Sierra Student Coalition**: Youth-led climate and conservation network.
- **Sierra Club Foundation**: Separate 501(c)(3) supporting education and conservation.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation / Market Cap**: Not applicable (nonprofit). Annual revenue approximately **$152.3M** (LinkedIn estimate, likely calendar 2024). Expenses reported as $84.9M (2025). ([linkedin.com](https://linkedin.com/company/sierraclub))
- **Key Metric**: Over **1 million members** and a network of local chapters across the U.S.
- **Notable Investors / Partners**: Not investor-backed; partners include other environmental nonprofits, labor unions, and corporate allies.
- **Growth Signals**: Headcount grew ~4% YoY to 744 employees (LinkedIn); careers page states over 800 staff. The organization is unionized with two labor unions (Progressive Workers Union and Sierra Employee Alliance) representing more than half of employees. ([sierraclub.org](https://www.sierraclub.org/careers-jobs-employment))

## Competitive Advantages
- **Grassroots power**: Over a century of organizing experience; unmatched network of local chapters and trained volunteers.
- **Legacy & trust**: One of the most recognized environmental brands in the U.S., with a proven record of legislative wins (Clean Air Act, Endangered Species Act, protection of 439 parks and monuments).
- **Unionized workforce**: Strong employee voice and collective bargaining, signaling a commitment to fair labor practices.
- **Integrated equity focus**: Core values of anti-racism, justice, and transformation embedded in the 2030 Strategic Framework.

## Strategic Focus
- **Climate solutions**: Championing the transition away from fossil fuels (coal, oil, gas) and toward 100% clean energy.
- **Environmental justice**: Ensuring that climate and conservation efforts address racial and economic inequities.
- **Grassroots expansion**: Deepening volunteer engagement and building a diverse, inclusive movement.
- **Policy advocacy**: Pushing for federal and state legislation on clean air, safe water, land protection, and public health.

## Why Work Here
- **Meaningful mission**: Direct impact on climate change, conservation, and social justice.
- **Unionized environment**: Over half of staff are represented by two unions; strong protection for workers.
- **Comprehensive benefits**: 100% employer-paid health, dental, and vision premiums; 401(k) with match; 20 weeks paid parental leave; generous PTO including extended winter break; sabbatical after 5+ years. ([sierraclub.org](https://www.sierraclub.org/careers-jobs-employment))
- **Flexible work options**: Positions listed as remote, hybrid, and on-site depending on role (e.g., Deputy Regional Field Director is remote; Chapter Director is hybrid; Grassroots Coordinator is on-site). ([jobs.lever.co](https://jobs.lever.co/sierraclub))
- **Diversity commitment**: Strongly encourages applications from Black, Indigenous, people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, and people with disabilities.
- **Growth opportunities**: Sabbatical program, training, and the chance to work with a national network of passionate activists.

## Sources
1. [sierraclub.org – Careers](https://www.sierraclub.org/careers-jobs-employment)
2. [jobs.lever.co – Sierra Club job board](https://jobs.lever.co/sierraclub)
3. [sierraclub.org – About the Sierra Club](https://www.sierraclub.org/about-sierra-club)
4. [linkedin.com – Sierra Club company page](https://linkedin.com/company/sierraclub)
5. [sierraclub.org – Massachusetts Careers (benefits detail)](https://www.sierraclub.org/massachusetts/careers)

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