Director of Legal Strategy

Clean Wisconsin is a nonprofit organization with offices in Madison and Milwaukee and a mission to combat climate change and pollution in our air, water and land. We are seeking a motivated Director of Legal Strategy. 

The Director of Legal Strategy leads Clean Wisconsin’s Legal Department, serves as the organization’s senior legal strategist and counsels the President & CEO on legal strategy decisions made on behalf of the organization. The position is responsible for developing and implementing legal strategy, directing litigation and administrative proceedings, supervising staff attorneys, providing strategic legal counsel to organizational leadership, and providing legal support to important organizational initiatives such as Clean Wisconsin’s Environmental Health Initiative.   

In this role, the Director of Legal Strategy identifies opportunities where legal action can advance Clean Wisconsin’s priorities. Legislative advocacy and non-advocacy legal counsel remains outside the Legal Department. The Director of Legal Strategy reports directly to the President & CEO and serves on the senior leadership team, while also working closely with the Vice President and Board of Directors.

Clean Wisconsin is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion in our work and in our hiring practices. We value a team with different perspectives, educational backgrounds, and life experiences, and we prioritize diversity within our team. If you are not sure whether you might be qualified for this position but you think you have something special to contribute, we encourage you to apply. Please also see our statement on diversity, equity and inclusion.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement the organization’s long-term legal strategy.
• Establish work plans for the Legal Department based on the priorities of the organization.
• Supervise, mentor, recruit, and evaluate legal staff, interns, and fellows.
• Build the long-term strength and reputation of the Legal Department.
• Identify emerging legal risks and opportunities.
• Advise the President & CEO on litigation.
• Oversee litigation in state and federal courts.
• Direct administrative proceedings before state and federal agencies.
• Prepare briefs, motions, petitions, comments, testimony, and appellate filings.
• Manage outside counsel, experts, and litigation budgets as appropriate.
• Collaborate with grants manager, program and communications department on applications funding for general operating support.
• Collaborate with the grants manager on grant applications to support the legal department.
• Oversee provision of legal support to communities facing local environmental health risks through Clean Wisconsin’s Environmental Health Initiative.
• Oversee legal research to support program departments.
• Collaborate with program staff to ensure initiatives are supported by sound legal analysis.
• Maintain relationships with law firms, universities, and partner organizations.
• Represent Clean Wisconsin in legal forums and professional associations.
• Help communicate the impact of the Legal Department to institutional funders and major donors when appropriate.

Required Skills and Traits

• Excellent strategic judgment.
• Outstanding oral and written communication.
• Ability to manage complex litigation.
• Collaborative leadership style.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Highly organized.
• Able to work independently and as part of a team.
• Discretion and sound judgment.
• Commitment to accuracy.
• Flexibility and creativity.
• Sense of humor.
• Commitment to Clean Wisconsin’s mission.
• Commitment to help create a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work culture that encourages and celebrates differences.

Working Conditions

This position is based in our Madison, WI office. We offer a hybrid environment with periodic travel throughout Wisconsin, occasional evening meetings, and court or administrative appearances.  

Required education

Required: J.D.; Wisconsin Bar admission or eligibility; 10+ years of litigation experience; demonstrated experience leading an organization, program or initiative (including fundraising responsibilities); exceptional legal research, writing, and analytical skills. 
 
Preferred: Environmental, administrative, energy, public utility, natural resources, or appellate practice.  

Compensation and Benefits

Salary range for the position is $130,000-$150,000, commensurate with skills and experience. Benefits package includes health and dental insurance, a 403(b) retirement plan with a 6% employer match, life and disability insurance, commuter benefits, a flexible hybrid work environment, paid time off and holidays.   

To Apply

Resumes submitted through LinkedIn or Indeed will not be accepted. To be considered, please follow the instructions below. 

Please submit a cover letter and resume describing your qualifications to hiring@cleanwisconsin.org

. For best consideration, please submit by August 13. Be sure to include “Director of Legal Strategy” as the subject line of your email.