The Guarini Center on Environmental, Energy and Land Use Law and the new Environmental & Climate Justice Initiative at NYU School of Law seek to hire a full-time Legal Fellow for the 2026-2027 academic year to conduct research, writing, and other activities related to current developments related to environmental and climate justice, law, and policy.

The Guarini Center is a nonpartisan academic research center at NYU School of Law. Over the last three decades, the Guarini Center has established itself as a trusted law and policy expert on the most urgent climate and environmental challenges facing cities and local communities. Through its interdisciplinary academic research, the Guarini Center works with local governments, nonprofits, practitioners, and community leaders to study and develop legal frameworks for cleaner air and water, greater access to green spaces, and healthy, climate-resilient neighborhoods. Throughout its work, the Guarini Center is committed to advancing policies for a sustainable and collaborative future where all communities can thrive.

The Environmental & Climate Justice (ECJ) Initiative at NYU School of Law is dedicated to advancing environmental and climate justice in partnership with community-based groups in New York and across the United States.  The ECJ Initiative uses a range of tools, including litigation, policy advocacy, research, and public education to protect the rights of all people to clean air, clean water, and a safe place for children to play. Current priorities include providing technical assistance and representation to defend environmental justice groups, representing communities advocating for strong state and local environmental justice laws, strengthening and defending strong civil rights laws, and representing communities across the country in their local efforts to have a say in the future of their health and environment.

The Guarini Center and the ECJ Initiative are jointly offering this new fellowship, and the Fellow will work with both the Guarini Center and the ECJ Initiative.

The Guarini Center’s work has a strong focus on the role of cities in developing climate, energy, and environmental justice policies, and the Fellow can expect to conduct work at the intersection of environmental law and local government law. The Fellow may be called upon to assist with research projects aimed at promoting building decarbonization, addressing climate impacts on vulnerable populations, or developing local climate resilience strategies to mitigate against sea level rise.

The ECJ Initiative is seeking candidates interested in a project tracking the development of state laws, regulations, and policies to advance environmental justice. The Fellow will also have the opportunity to work on related matters that may involve counseling or representation of clients.

The stipend for this position is $80,000. The rate is based on an expected duration of 11 months and contingent upon available funding. The Fellow is expected to be in the Center and EJC Initiative’s offices in New York City a minimum of three days a week.

Benefits information can be found here.

Qualifications

Juris Doctor degree is required. Demonstrated experience working on environmental or climate justice, environmental law or local government law is strongly preferred. The fellow will be appointed for 11 months, beginning on or about August 25, 2026 (we will consider appointments for a shorter duration for those who are between clerkships or other prior engagements).

Application Instructions

Interested applicants should submit the following to Interfolio via https://apply.interfolio.com/182954: (1) cover letter; (2) resume; (3) law school transcript; (4) writing sample; (5) names of three references 

Questions can be emailed to Marianne Engelman-Lado at marianne.engelman.lado@nyu.edu. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis.

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