Attorney: Defensive Environmental Litigation for NYS (3875) in , us

Assistant Attorneys General – Environmental Protection Bureau – Albany

Social Justice DivisionApplication Deadline: June 19, 2026

Salary Range: $83,594 - $178,463

Overview

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. 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.

Responsibilities

• Represent the state in environmental, public health, and energy matters in state and federal court.
• Represent the state in proceedings before administrative agencies.
• Enforce state and federal environmental laws that protect New Yorkers’ rights to clean air, clean water, and safe and healthy communities.
• Conduct investigations into violations of environmental laws.
• Defend the state’s executive agencies charged with environmental responsibilities, including the Department of Environmental Conservation, the Department of Health, the Department of Transportation, the Adirondack Park Agency, and the Lake George Park Commission.
• Participate in multistate federal environmental advocacy and litigation.
• Engage in defensive litigation; occasionally carry out affirmative litigation and investigations to enforce state and federal environmental laws and regulations.

Qualifications

• At least five (5) years of complex civil litigation practice.
• Experience litigating in federal and/or state courts, including writing briefs, performing document review, conducting depositions or other witness examinations, appearing in court, and conducting or participating in settlement negotiations.
• Strong 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 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.
• Demonstrated interest in clean‑energy, climate change, or other environmental or public‑health issues, or other litigation experience with a strong demonstrated interest in these areas.

Legal & Residency Requirements

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 United States citizens. A two‑ (2) year commitment upon being hired is a condition of employment.

Equal Opportunity Statement

The OAG is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to a workplace that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive. The OAG seeks 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.

Benefits

We offer a comprehensive New York state benefits package, including paid leave, health, dental, vision, and retirement benefits, and family‑friendly policies. OAG offers a robust Workplace Flexibilities Program with multiple options for employees, including telecommuting (up to two days per week) and alternative work schedules.

The OAG provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities.