Why Work With Us? The Guarini Center on Environmental, Energy and Land Use Law seeks to hire a full-time Legal Fellow for the 2025-2026 academic year to conduct policy-relevant research, writing, and outreach related to innovation in the development of environmental law. 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. Our work has a strong focus on the role of cities in developing climate, energy, and environmental justice policies, and the Fellow will conduct work at the intersection of environmental law and local government law.

Description of Role: The Fellow will be expected to produce a series of written papers directed at both policy and academic audiences and to prepare issue briefs for workshops, talks, and conferences. In addition to excellent research and writing skills, the Fellow should think creatively about policy, be self-driven, and have the ability to write independently. 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.

Qualifications: Juris Doctor degree is required. Demonstrated experience working on environmental law or local government law is strongly preferred. The fellow will be appointed for 11 months, beginning on or about September 2, 2025 (we will consider appointments for a shorter duration for those who are between clerkships or other prior engagements).

Salary: The stipend for this position is $70,000. 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’s office in New York City a minimum of three days a week.

To Apply: Interested applicants should send: (1) cover letter; (2) resume; (3) writing sample; (4) names of three references to christine.billy@nyu.edu. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis.