Lawyer, Environmental Democracy (Parental leave cover)
Application Deadline: 14 June 2026
Department: Global Impact
Employment Type: Fixed Term - Full Time
Location: Berlin
Reporting To: Sebastian Bechtel
Compensation: €4,960 / month
Description
The compensation for this role is: EUR4.960,41 gross per month
The Environmental Democracy team works towards the correct implementation and enforcement of the 'Aarhus Convention', that is, the UNECE Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters - the most progressive international agreement for citizens' rights to information, participation and access to justice in Europe. The team aims to advance the principles of accountability, transparency and responsiveness for the good governance of EU institutions and national public authorities.
This is a fixed-term parental leave cover role (8 months). The post holder will contribute to the management of a portfolio of ongoing strategic litigation cases related to climate and water protection. The post holder will also support various strategic interventions with a particular focus on access to justice issues in Germany and, where relevant, other selected European jurisdictions.
Main duties
- Contribute to the preparation of legal submissions before German courts and, occasionally, other national courts and the Court of Justice of the EU, with a focus on administrative procedural law, national and EU environmental law and the Aarhus Convention;
- Case management in close coordination with the line manager, including reviewing legal submissions, supporting budget planning, internal and external coordination;
- Engaging with other environmental NGOs/networks in Germany, as well as external lawyers and technical experts, to deliver our legal strategy
See the job description (below) for a full list of duties for this role.
Role requirements
- Fluent (CEFR level C2) in German
- Fluent (CEFR level C2) in English
- First and Second State Examination in Law in Germany
- Relevant professional experience working on German environmental law or focus on environmental law in studies/internships/Referendariat
See the job description (below) for a full list of requirements for this role.
Note to candidates: We know that long lists of criteria can be daunting and that some candidates will not apply for a role unless they feel they are 100% qualified. If you feel you meet at least some of the essential criteria, we still encourage you to apply.
Further Information
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Flexible working: We are proud to be a Flexa accredited Employer. Visit our Flexa Employer page for more information on our approach to flexible working. Our flexible working policy allows our people the choice to decide to work from home/another location in the country where their contract of employment is issued for 80% of their month, with the other 20% of their month being office-based See our Benefits page for more as well as our flexible working FAQ.
ClientEarth values diversity and inclusion and the benefits this brings. We aim to appoint the most suitable candidate at all times and welcome applications from people from all different backgrounds. See our equity, diversity and inclusion journey page for more.
Please note that ClientEarth is only able to employ those who have the pre-existing legal right to work in the countries listed at the top of this job advert.
ClientEarth is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice or legal services to third parties.
ClientEarthBerlin4.960 € (Arbeitgeberangabe)Employment Type: Fixed Term - Full Time. The Environmental Democracy team works towards the correct implementation and enforcement of the 'Aarhus Convention',……5T