Summer 2014 Externship Opportunity with Friends of Animals Wildlife Law Program, Denver, CO (Deadline: ?)

I didn't see a deadline associated with this summer externship opportunity, so I assume that applying sooner than later is better.

Position Description:

Friends of Animals is pleased to announce summer (2014) externship opportunities in its Wildlife Law Program (WLP), located in Denver, Colorado. Established in 2013, the WLP fills a niche between animal and environmental activism.  Animal activists often fail to fully utilize the array of local, state, federal and international environmental laws as a means to protect the rights of animals to live free from human interference.  Environmental activists often utilize these laws, but do so to achieve broad environmental objectives that may not always protect the rights of free-living animals. The mission of the WLP is to utilize the law for a singular purpose: to ensure the right of all wildlife to live in an ecosystem free from human manipulation, exploitation, or abuse.

The WLP focuses on the defense of wildlife and their habitats throughout the world. Attorneys and externs in the program utilize a variety of environmental laws to promote the rights of wildlife, including the Endangered Species Act, the National Environmental Policy Act, the Migratory Treaty Bird Act, the Administrative Procedure Act, and international treaties like the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). 

Externs will have the opportunity to get hands-on experience by working closely with WLP attorneys to litigate matters in federal and state court, as well as engage in non-litigation advocacy projects. Typically extern projects include drafting legal documents (60-day notice letters, complaints, discovery documents, briefs, administrative comments), legal research and writing, interviewing and working directly with the client, engaging government decision-makers, and advocating at the policy level. The WLP attorneys also make an effort to expose students to a wide variety of career opportunities, including opportunities in public interest environmental law and animal rights law.

Qualifications:

Seeking a current 1L or 2L student enrolled in an ABA-accredited law school. Applicants should have strong legal writing and research skills, and a demonstrated interest in animal rights or wildlife advocacy.

To apply:

Send current resume and writing sample to: Michael Harris, Director Wildlife Law Program, 7500 E. Arapahoe Road, Suite 385, Centennial, CO 80112 or email to michaelharris@friendsofanimals.org

About Friends of Animals:

Friends of Animals is a non-profit, international animal advocacy organization, incorporated in the state of New York since 1957. Friends of Animals works to cultivate a respectful view of nonhuman animals, free-living and domestic. Our goal is to free animals from cruelty and institutionalized exploitation around the world. Friends of Animal's President is Priscilla Feral, who works out of FoA's International Headquarters in Darien, Connecticut.