Duties
The Natural Resources Section represents virtually every major federal agency in federal district court, the Court of Federal Claims, and State courts in novel and complex litigation arising under more than 80 natural resource, environmental, and cultural resource statutes, various treaties and international agreements, interstate compacts, and congressional referrals. Among other statutes, our cases arise under the National Environmental Policy Act, the National Forest Management Act, the National Park Service Organic Act, the National Historic Preservation Act, the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, the National Marine Sanctuaries Act, the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, and the National Trails System Act. Large portions of our docket involve challenges under the Administrative Procedure Act or the Just Compensation Clause of the Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution.
On any given day, the Section's attorneys handle a vast portfolio of cases involving:
- The stewardship of our national parks, forests, rangelands, wildlife refuges, and offshore resources.
- Defense of renewable energy projects.
- Vital federal programs ranging from nuclear materials management to military preparedness to national energy policy.
- Original actions in the U.S. Supreme Court to resolve boundary and water allocation disputes in the western part of the country.
- Real property claims arising under the Just Compensation Clause of the Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution, which involve issues such as military readiness, transportation infrastructure, and flood control.
- The United States' trust relationship with Native Americans and Tribes.
The Natural Resources Section seeks to hire and cultivate talented trial attorneys and provides its lawyers with frequent and meaningful court experience in a variety of jurisdictions on a broad range of issues. Because of the diverse nature of our docket, the ideal candidate should be comfortable in "first-chair" and supporting roles in multiple complex cases, and have demonstrated and substantial experience in civil litigation, including pre-trial discovery, presentation of oral argument, and examination of fact and expert witnesses.
The cases handled by the Section require attorneys to achieve intellectual command of complicated facts, scientific principles, and legal issues, often rapidly. Successful candidates will be intellectually curious, driven, and will enjoy having primary responsibilities in sophisticated litigation, proficiency in working with a wide range of experts, and the ability to harness technology and litigation support in the preparation of cases. Creative thinking and talent in problem-solving -- whether in a litigation or settlement context -- are critical. Collegiality is fundamental to our Section. The ideal candidate will be comfortable working collaboratively with other attorneys and providing support and mentorship to less experienced attorneys.
On a day-to-day basis, our attorneys address case management issues, negotiate with opposing counsel, write motions and briefs, take and defend depositions, prepare for trial, present oral arguments, and conduct trials. Our attorneys work closely with both attorneys and program staff at our client agencies, as well as with expert witnesses retained to offer opinions in our litigation. Preparation of expert reports and witness opinions often requires site visits to breathtaking and interesting lands and natural resources.
In staffing our cases, we strive to create work opportunities for our attorneys that allow them to constantly learn and grow by providing new challenges and sometimes even a bit of adventure. We provide new attorneys with robust skills-based and substantive training. Within their first year with the Natural Resources Section, we strive to provide our attorneys the opportunity to author briefs in federal court, argue substantive motions, and take depositions. The opportunity to participate in a trial is typically available within the first two years on the job. Being able to gain this type of experience on cases of this complexity so soon after starting sets the Natural Resources Section apart.
The Natural Resources Section has exceptionally talented attorneys who are generous with their time to mentor. The group of paralegals and legal assistants we have are valuable resources, offering reliable help with a can-do attitude. And the leadership provides support in navigating a healthy work-life balance.
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