Greenfire Law, PC

Practice Areas

Greenfire Law attorneys litigate to protect environmental rights on behalf of nonprofit organizations, communities, and workers.

Environmental Law

Environmental Law

The firm’s environmental practice includes litigation and counseling on environmental, climate change, and natural resource management.

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Our attorneys have a strong understanding of major environmental statues and regulatory programs and exemplary litigation experience bringing environmental enforcement actions on behalf of citizens, including in the areas of state and federal environmental law in all media, climate change, natural resource management, and environmental policy. The firm’s depth of knowledge with complex environmental laws includes working with the National Environmental Policy Act, California Environmental Quality Act, Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act, California Coastal Act, and California’s Proposition 65 (Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act), among others.

Land Use Law

Land Use Law

Land use and zoning law is the regulation of the use and development of public and private real estate.

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Zoning is the most common form of land-use regulation, used by municipalities to control local property development. Other legal issues pertaining to land use include easements, trespassing, and eminent domain. Our firm helps individuals and citizen groups navigate the complex statutory and local regulatory schemes involved when local governments consider development projects in their jurisdictions. We have counseled clients in local cannabis regulation and control, securing permits for the construction of accessory dwelling units, ensuring a developer’s compliance with local affordable housing requirements, and objecting to development projects that fail to comply with state and local law..

Animal Law

Animal Law

Simply defined, animal law is the combination of statutory and case law that relates to or has an impact on nonhuman animals.

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Our attorneys have a strong understanding of the timelines the goverment musIt encompasses companion animals and wildlife as well as animals used in entertainment, research, or raised for food. Animal law permeates and affects most traditional areas of the law—including tort, food safety, consumer protection, contract, constitutional, family, environmental, administrative, and criminal law. In practice, our attorneys work diligently to identify opportunities to advance the interests of animals in the law through policy or litigation using myriad statutory and common law schemes, including the Endangered Species Act, Administrative Procedures Act, public nuisance law, and the public trust doctrine.

Public Records & Open Government

Public Records & Open Government

All 50 states and the federal government have public records laws which allow members of the public to obtain documents and other public records from state and local government bodies.

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The firm’s public records practice includes counseling clients through the records request process, with advice on crafting targeted requests, seeking fee waivers, filing and prosecuting administrative appeals, and litigation when necessary.

Telecommunications Law

Telecommunications Law

Telecommunications law pertains to the systems of electronic communications and broadcasting across the United States.

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This area is heavily regulated by federal law and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). We represent citizens and non-profit groups interested in strengthening local control over telecommunications regulation. Through litigation and legislative assistance, we ensure public participation to the maximum extent possible under federal law when local governments are forced to deploy small cell wireless technology, known as 5G or Fifth Generation wireless infrastructure, in their cities and counties.

Employment Law

Employment Law

California employers are bound to comply with the California Labor Code, one of the most pro-worker employment laws in the country.

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Greenfire Law represents employees who have been mistreated by their employers. Our attorneys handle both individual lawsuits and class actions against large and small employers who have violated the Labor Code and California’s anti-discrimination, harassment, and retaliation laws.

The Labor Code provides various protections for employees in the workplace to ensure workers are treated fairly and compensated properly. When an employer fails to comply with the Labor Code, aggrieved employees can sue for damages. Examples of protections afforded to employees under the Labor Code include the right to minimum wage, overtime compensation, meal and rest periods, and the proper classification as employees versus independent contractors. Our attorneys represent employees in lawsuits against employers who have violated the Labor Code and help employees recover damages including unpaid balance of overtime compensation withheld from employees, back pay and back wages, and penalties provided for by the Labor Code.

California also has several laws that protect employees against discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. Our lawyers help employees who have been subject to unlawful discrimination, harassment, and retaliation navigate exhaustion of administrative remedies and pursue litigation when necessary.

Attorneys

At Greenfire Law, PC, you reach a team of skilled lawyers whose educational and professional backgrounds make us uniquely qualified to provide strategic legal counsel at an affordable rate.

Rachel S. Doughty, Founder and Shareholder

Rachel S. Doughty practices environmental and land use law. Rachel’s practice includes advising clients and litigating under public land management and environmental statutes and California Environmental Quality Act and National Environmental Policy Act. She also helps clients gain access to information using FOIA and California’s Public Records Act and assists with legislative and regulatory drafting from time to time.

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Rachel S. Doughty

Before Greenfire Law, Rachel worked at Paul Hastings, LLP, Gary Davis and Associates, and Wild Law. She earned her law degree from University of Virginia and also has an M.S. in Natural Resources (with a minor concentration in biogeochemistry) from Cornell University, and a B.S. in biochemistry from the University of Tennessee. Prior to law school, she was a fellow at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in the Wetlands Division.

In addition to her work as a litigator, Rachel is a policy advocate in the areas of plastic pollution reduction and forest management.

Experience

  • Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker, LLP
  • Gary A. Davis & Associates
  • Wild Law
  • U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Education

  • J.D., University of Virginia
  • M.S., Cornell University, Natural Resources
  • B.S., University of Tennessee, Biochemistry

Activities & Affiliations

  • City of Berkeley Zero Waste Commission
  • Sylvia Mendez School, Green Team Lead

Bar Admissions

  • State of California
  • State of North Carolina (Inactive)
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California
  • U.S. District Court for the Central District of California
  • U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina
  • U.S. District Court Washington, D.C.

Jessica L. Blome, Shareholder

Jessica L. Blome is an animal, environmental, open government, and land use attorney with 15 years of experience in complex litigation. Jessica represents a wide range of clients from individuals to grassroots organizations to national non-profit organizations. Her practice focuses on high stakes matters that advance the status of animals, protect wildlife, or conserve the environment under state, federal, and tribal law.

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Jessica L. Blome

Before Greenfire Law, Jessica worked as an Assistant Attorney General in the Missouri Attorney General’s Agriculture & Environment Division, Senior Staff Attorney for the Animal Legal Defense Fund, and Deputy Director of the San Francisco Ethics Commission.

For the Missouri Attorney General, Jessica represented the Missouri Departments of Natural Resources and Agriculture in civil environmental, animal welfare, and food safety litigation. She served as counsel to the Missouri Natural Resources Trustee, leading negotiations on behalf of Missouri for multi-million-dollar restoration projects on public lands contaminated by heavy metals mining. She also prosecuted violations of the state Clean Water Act, Safe Drinking Water Act, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, and Clean Air Act. Her most notable cases involved an unpermitted organic composting operation located next to a sensitive geologic area, a collapsed wastewater treatment impoundment, and a landfill located in a residential area suffering from a “subsurface smoldering event,” or underground landfill fire.

Jessica left Missouri for Sonoma County, California in 2013 to accept a position as a Senior Staff Attorney with the non-profit Animal Legal Defense Fund. There, she represented citizen plaintiffs and non-profit groups in strategic impact litigation on behalf of domestic animals and wildlife. She led a team of litigators to victory against a roadside zoo in Iowa, securing the first-ever successful citizen prosecution of Section 9 of the Endangered Species Act against the owner of captive-held endangered species. Jessica also led a coalition of non-profit groups in the first-ever lawsuit striking down a federal contract with the United States Department of Agriculture’s Wildlife Services because it violated CEQA.

In 2016, Jessica became the Deputy Director of the San Francisco Ethics Commission, where she was responsible for the investigation and enforcement of the City’s campaign finance, government ethics, lobbying, and conflict of interest laws.

Jessica joined Greenfire Law in March 2018. She now represents public interest clients in environmental and animal welfare litigation. In 2019, she served as lead counsel in an Iowa state-court nuisance action that permanently shut down a roadside zoo. She is litigating an action against the City of Livermore for failing to adequately assess whether the City should use environmental mitigation funds to conserve sensitive alkaline wetland habitat, rather than develop it.

Experience

  • San Francisco Ethics Commission
  • Animal Legal Defense Fund
  • Missouri Attorney General’s Office

Education

  • J.D., University of Iowa College of Law
  • B.A., University of Northern Iowa, Communications & Ethics

Activities & Affiliations

  • Missouri Bar, Environmental & Energy Law Committee
  • California Bar Association, Public Law Group
  • Alameda County Bar Association
  • City of Berkeley Campaign Finance Commission
  • City of Berkeley Open Government Commission
  • Rosa Parks Elementary School Read-a-Thon Committee
  • Animal Place, Board Member

Awards & Recognition

  • Missouri Up & Coming Lawyer Award
  • Missouri Alliance for Animal Legislation Special Recognition
  • Missouri Attorney General’s Litigate Like a Champion Award
  • Missouri Attorney General’s Award for Extraordinary Contribution
  • Missouri Attorney General’s Award for Excellence in Client Service

Bar Admissions

  • State of California
  • State of Missouri
  • Supreme Court of Missouri
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California
  • U.S. District Court of the Western District of Missouri
  • U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
  • Supreme Court of the United States

Rae Lovko, Senior Associate

Rae Lovko practices in the areas of environmental, land use, and animal law. Her experience includes litigating complex civil cases, handling law and motion matters, and conducting trials. She represents a wide range of clients facing harm from environmental toxins and industrial pollution.

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Rae Lovko

Before joining Greenfire Law, Rae worked at Lovko & King, LLP and Paul, Hanley, & Harley, LLP. She earned her law degree from Golden Gate University School of Law, where she graduated as valedictorian, and also has an M.A. from the College of William & Mary. Prior to law school, Rae worked for the Florida Supreme Court's Office of the State Courts Administrator (OSCA).

In addition to her work as a litigator, Rae has taught legal writing and research for the University of California, Berkeley Law LL.M. Program and created and taught MCLE courses on legal ethics. She has co-authored/edited several CEB (Continuing Education of the Bar) legal resources.

Experience

  • Lovko & King, LLP
  • Paul, Hanley, & Harley LLP
  • Florida Supreme Court's OSCA

Education

  • J.D., Golden Gate University School of Law
  • M.A., College of William & Mary
  • B.S., Old Dominion University

Bar Admission

  • State of California
  • State of Georgia

Susann M. Bradford, Associate

Susann Bradford’s work includes environmental, land use, and water law. She represents citizens and organizations facing harm from poorly planned developments and industrial pollution.

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Susann M. Bradford

Before joining Greenfire Law, Susann was a Graduate Fellow at the Environmental Law and Justice Clinic at Golden Gate University where she focused on environmental justice and public interest law. Susann represented community and public interest organizations in water quality litigation before the California Court of Appeals and advocated for marginalized communities of color by developing CEQA, Clean Air Act, and Title VI complaints. Prior to this, Susann was a law clerk for Earthjustice and interned at the City Attorney of San Francisco’s Office in the Energy Division.

During Law School Susann served as Editor in Chief of the Golden Gate University Environmental Law Journal, volunteered for the California Water Law Symposium, and competed in the 2020 National Environmental Law Moot Court Competition. Susann is also a Doctor of Education and taught community college at The University of Montana for ten years prior to Law School. Before that she earned a master’s degree in environmental studies and worked on projects in the nonprofit sector as an advocate for ecological restoration, biodiversity preservation, and inclusive decision-making.

Experience

  • Environmental Law and Justice Clinic
  • Earthjustice, California Regional Office
  • City Attorney of San Francisco, Energy Division

Education

  • J.D., Golden Gate University School of Law
  • Ed.D., University of Montana, Curriculum & Instruction
  • M.S., University of Montana, Environmental Studies
  • B.A., St. John’s College, Santa Fe

Awards & Recognition

  • Alameda County Bar Association
  • San Francisco Bar Association
  • Queen’s Bench Bar Association
  • California Women Lawyers
  • St. John’s College Alumni Association

Bar Admission

  • State of California

Lily A. Rivo, Associate

Lily A. Rivo’s work primarily focuses on environmental, land use, and animal law. Her current projects include assisting clients with claims under the state open government laws, civil enforcement statutes, and state and federal environmental laws.

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Lily A. Rivo

Before joining Greenfire Law, Lily worked at the Department of Justice, representing the State of California and its employees in civil litigation before California state and federal courts, including the Northern District of California and the Eastern District of California. Lily also worked in an environmental and land use firm, focusing on USTs as well as pollution and contamination matters. Recently, Lily founded a legal writing business to provide content and legal articles for practitioners across a variety of practice areas. Lily performs pro bono work for the San Francisco Justice and Diversity Clinic Center and has provided legal services for Marin Legal Aid.

During law school, Lily served as an extern for Magistrate Judge Joseph C. Spero and taught legal writing and research. She wrote for the Communications and Entertainment Law Journal and interned at the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office and California Lawyers for the Arts, a nonprofit providing legal assistance to the creative community.

Experience

  • Department of Justice, Office of the Attorney General
  • Justia
  • California Lawyers for the Arts
  • San Francisco District Attorney Office

Education

  • J.D., University California San Francisco
  • B.A., University California, San Diego

Activities & Affiliations

  • San Francisco Justice and Diversity Center
  • Marin Legal Aid
  • Marin County Boys Team Charity, Newsletter Editor

Gina Tomaselli, Associate

Gina Tomaselli practices in the areas of animal, environmental, open government, and land use law. Gina assists individuals, grassroots organizations, and national non-profit organizations with constitutional and environmental claims and focuses on projects that advance protections for animals, preserve the environment, and secure justice for marginalized communities.

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Gina Tomaselli

Before coming to Greenfire Law, Gina worked at a Staff Attorney for The Humane Society of the United States, where she pursued legal action against puppy mills, drafted legislation to prevent the sale of puppies and kittens in pet stores, and filed a petition with the USDA that resulted in increased protection for veal calves under the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act. Gina also practiced environmental law at Terris, Pravlik, and Millian, LLC, and worked as a litigator and regulatory attorney for federal and state governmental agencies.

Outside of work, Gina is active in dog rescue, fostering senior and disabled pitbull-type dogs. Gina also engages in education and advocacy efforts to overturn breed-specific legislation and reform policies that make it difficult for people with dogs of certain breeds to secure housing and insurance.

Experience

  • California Department of Consumer Affairs
  • California Department of Justice, Office of the Attorney General
  • Social Security Administration
  • The Humane Society of the United States
  • Terris, Pravlik & Millian, LLC

Education

  • J.D., University of California, Berkeley School of Law
  • B.A., University of California, Berkeley (summa cum laude), Spanish

Bar Admission

  • State of California
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California
  • U.S. District Court for the Central District of California
  • U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California
  • U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada

Richard A. Brody, Of Counsel

Richard "Rick" Brody practices in the areas of complex civil litigation, products liability, environmental and land use law. His experience includes trial, law and motion, settlement negotiations, appellate practice, and bankruptcy.

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Richard A. Brody

Rick was co-counsel of record in six published opinions, including two opinions issued by the California Supreme Court. He has extensive experience prosecuting and managing multi-party litigation.

Community service is important to Rick. He has served as a commissioner on the City of Sebastopol Planning Commission and the City of Rohnert Park Rent Appeals Board. He was also a member of the Board of Directors of the Gravenstein Unified School District Magnet Program Foundation and the Rohnert Park Chamber of Commerce.

Experience

  • Shingler Law
  • Brent Coon & Associates
  • The Wartnick Law Firm
  • Casey, Gerry, Reed & Schenk
  • Brayton Purcell

Education

  • J.D., U.C.L.A. School of Law
  • B.A., University of California, Santa Cruz, Religious Studies

Activities & Affiliations

  • Consumer Attorneys of California
  • Sonoma County Bar Association Intellectual Property and Technology Law Section (1997 to 1998), Fee Arbitrator (1993)
  • Sonoma County Superior Court, Judge Pro Tem, Settlement Conference Program (2002 to 2004)
  • Marin County Superior Court, Judge Pro Tem, Settlement Conference Program (1997)
  • City of Sebastopol Planning Commission, Commissioner (1999 to 2003), Chairperson (2002-2003)
  • Street Smart Sebastopol Committee (2000 to 2003), Street Smart Sebastopol Symposium, Participant (2000), Sebastopol Commons, Participant (1999)
  • Sebastopol Chamber of Commerce (1998 to 2015)
  • City of Rohnert Park Rent Appeals Board, Commissioner (1991 to 1995), Chairperson (1993 to 1994)
  • Rohnert Park Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors (1996 to 1998), Governmental Affairs Committee (1996 to 1997)
  • Leadership Rohnert Park, Chairperson (1996 to 1998), Graduate (1993), Coordinator, History and Government Day (1996); Transportation, Public Safety and Criminal Justice Day (1994)
  • Leadership Rohnert Park Alumni Association, Vice-Chairperson (1995 to 1996)
  • Rohnert Park Community Summit, Participant (1997)
  • Gravenstein Unified School District, Magnet Program Foundation, Board of Directors (2016-2019)
  • Featured Speaker, West Coast Asbestos Litigation Crash Course Seminar (HB Litigation Courses), Effective Deposition Practices, December 7, 2010
  • Moderator, A.M. Rohnert Park Candidates and Issues Forum (November 2000)
  • Guest speaker, Year 2000 Legal Issues, Intellectual Property and Legal Issues for Graphic Artists

Bar Admission

  • State of California
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California
  • U.S. District Court for the Central District of California

Ariel Strauss, Of Counsel

Ariel Strauss is an experienced public law and real estate attorney. Ariel represents community groups and individuals in connection with land use entitlements, California Public Utility Commission regulatory proceedings, and wireless facility siting and policy issues.

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Ariel Strauss

Ariel previously assisted owners, operators, and lenders navigate HUD regulations and close over $500m in affordable, elderly, Section 8, and multifamily real estate transactions. Ariel also served as assistant general and special counsel to several cities and districts in the areas of municipal law, real estate, zoning and public contracting. In 2014, Ariel clerked for Justice Uzi Vogelman of the Supreme Court of Israel and during law school externed for Judge Kim M. Wardlaw of the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Experience

  • Small Business Utility Advocates
  • Levy, Levy & Levy, P.C.
  • Justice Uzi Vogelman, Supreme Court of Israel
  • Meyers, Nave, Riback, Silver & Wilson, P.L.C.
  • Integrated Recovery Network
  • Los Angeles City Attorney, Airports Division
  • Los Angeles County Counsel, Real Property Division
  • Judge Kim M. Wardlaw, U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals

Education

  • J.D., UCLA School of Law
  • M.A., UCLA School of Public Affairs, Urban Planning
  • B.A., Brandeis University

Bar Admission

  • State of California
  • State of New York
  • State of Washington

Staff

Carla Barraez, Executive Assistant

Carla Barraez is a remote administrative assistant at Greenfire Law. Her work involves business administration as well as general firm management.

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Carla Barraez

Carla holds a BA in Photography and a Minor in Art History from Florida International University. Carla has worked in a variety of fields she's passionate about including education, film, and law. Her main area of environmental concern is ocean conservation and is passionate about policy that protects the ocean from pollutants like plastic. She is aiming to earn an MA in Global Affairs.


Nuria de la Fuente, Office Manager

Born in Mexico, Nuria de la Fuente is a long-time Berkeley resident who values multicultural diversity and is a fluid Spanish/English speaker.

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Nuria de la Fuente

Nuria has many years of experience working for the City of Berkeley Parks, Recreation & Waterfront Department in different capacities. She was also an Environmental Sciences and Resource Management major at Contra Costa Community College with a special interest in mycoremediation.

Nuria is passionate about preserving our environment and takes a hands-on approach to environmental stewardship through community education and involvement. She currently enjoys taking a lead role volunteering for a local school's "Green Team" where she has been helping to implement a zero-waste policy and environmental curriculum.



About Us

Greenfire Law was created to provide the highest quality legal representation to assist our clients in advancing matters of important public policy. The firm’s lawyers hail from prominent national law firms, government agencies, and respected advocacy groups, combining decades of top-level litigation and transactional experience with an unwavering dedication to the firm’s clients and to advancing their causes.

Our ethic of respecting the wisdom and mystery of the natural world is the driving force behind Greenfire Law’s work. The great Aldo Leopold, upon turning away from his job as a trapper for the federal government, once observed:

We reached the old wolf in time to watch  a fierce green fire  dying in her eyes. I realized then, and have known ever since, that there was something new to me in those eyes—something known only to her and to the mountain. I was young then, and full of trigger-itch; I thought that because fewer wolves meant more deer, that no wolves would mean hunters’ paradise. But after seeing the green fire die, I sensed that neither the wolf nor the mountain agreed with such a view.

— Aldo Leopold, A Sand County Almanac

Greenfire in the News

"Top Verdicts: Lee V Amazon.com"
Daily Journal

"District court issues 11th-hour temporary injunction on Roof Depot demolition"
Star Tribune

"Judge revives limits on wolf killing near Yellowstone park"
Miami Herald

"SF Jail Inmates Get So Little Sunlight They’re Prescribed Vitamin D Supplements"
The San Francisco Standard

"The fight to stop Republicans from killing wolves and grizzlies"
The Intercept

"Wildlife Advocates Score a Victory in Plumas and Sierra Counties in Restricting USDA's 'Wildlife Services' Killing Program"
Sierra Booster

Courts must "show why they aren't instead using available funds to preserve land for plants and animals"
San Francisco Chronicle

"Court: Amazon customers can sue over lack of toxic warnings"
Yahoo! Finance

"Plastic pollution policy: California leads, but the crisis requires national and international action"
American Bar Association Trends

"Judge issues injunction blocking Wisconsin fall wolf hunt."
AP News

"Contra Costa County sued over controversial open-space housing plan."
The Mercury News

"Appeals court sides with judge who ordered animals rescued from Cricket Hollow Zoo."
Des Moines Register

"Court Rejects USDA’s Attempt to Kill Lawsuit Challenging Weakened Pig-Slaughter Rules."
The Center for Biological Diversity

"Cannabis in Mendocino County: Planning Commission hears from the public."
The Willits News

"Groundbreaking Court Case Argues U.S. Climate Denial Policy Violates Americans’ Right to Be Free."
EcoWatch

"A Battle To Protect The Environment When Housing Is In High Demand"
KoriSuzki.com (for KALW Radio)

"Settlement Ends Nestlé’s Expired 'Zombie' Permit to Siphon Water From San Bernardino National Forest."
The Center for Biological Diversity

Featured Clients

Careers

Greenfire is looking to hire an Associate Attorney with a minimum of 4 years of litigation experience in California.

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Job Description: Greenfire Law, PC is a public interest law firm handling litigation and policy work on behalf of citizen plaintiffs or non-profit groups specializing in environmental law, animal law, land use, open government, and telecommunications. Though located in Berkeley, California, we regularly litigate state and federal court cases and administrative proceedings in California and across the United States. We are seeking an associate attorney with a minimum of four years of litigation experience in California for immediate hire. The ideal candidate will be enthusiastic about the opportunity to work for a small firm, which provides a certain level of independence. Candidates should be mature enough to work independently but also ask for help when needed.

Responsibilities

  • Develop new cases in close collaboration with citizen and non-profit clients, which include responsibility to conduct factual investigations; develop legal theories; draft pleadings and briefs; and otherwise manage new and existing cases in state or federal courts and administrative agencies.
  • Assist in representation of clients in complex cases involving the full range of litigation tasks, including factual investigation, legal research, discovery, briefing, witness preparation, trials, and oral advocacy, and otherwise manage new and existing cases in state or federal courts and administrative tribunals from beginning to end.
  • Collaborate in team problem solving, litigation strategy, project management and trial work.
  • Supervise the work of fellows, interns, and litigation assistants
  • Cultivate new allies and engage in partnerships with, and representation of, community groups, workers, organizations, coalitions, and others.
  • Support and contribute to a positive, respectful, supportive, and collegial work environment.
  • Participate in training and professional development opportunities appropriate to the role and the organization.

Qualifications

  • Admitted to the Bar of the State of California with at least four years of experience litigating cases, one or more of which can include clerkship experience.
  • Willing and able to work in Berkeley, though remote applicants will be considered.
  • Attorneys with substantial litigation experience and the ability to litigate cases from beginning to end, independently if necessary are also welcome to apply. We expect that in most cases a candidate meeting this requirement would have at least six years litigation experience, but candidates with fewer years of experience are welcome to apply so long as they meet this functional requirement.
  • Excellent litigation skills, including legal research, writing, analytical, and oral advocacy skills.
  • Ability to manage a litigation docket effectively, including ability to work independently and to prioritize tasks and deadlines.
  • Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to work well collegially both inside and outside the organization.
  • Ability to work independently and in collaboration with client partners and in leading a litigation team.
  • Strong and demonstrated initiative, good judgment, creativity, flexibility, and work ethic.
  • Ability and willingness to travel as needed, including for case work, court appearances, and meetings with clients and partners.
  • Commitment to serving the public interest and a passion for the role of public interest litigation in the environmental movement.
  • An ability and commitment to help create a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work culture that encourages and celebrates differences.
  • Willingness and ability to effectively supervise and mentor early career staff in connection with litigation and advocacy projects, and to help foster an inclusive and nurturing work environment.

Compensation: Salary within the range of $90,000 to $130,000 and includes payment of bar dues and CLE allowance. The firm offers health insurance and a retirement plan.

Applications submitted through recruiters will not be considered.

To apply, please send a cover letter and resume to us at administrative@greenfirelaw.com and include “Associate Position Applicant” in the subject of the email. Please be prepared to provide a writing sample and references upon request.


Greenfire is looking to hire a Senior Paralegal with 5 years of experience.

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Job Description: Under general supervision, a Senior Paralegal is responsible for complex cases, legal and factual research, and supporting attorneys in complex litigation. The Senior Paralegal must be able to draft and analyze legal documents and perform tasks that require advanced legal knowledge of specific subject areas, such as conducting client interviews, researching legal and factual information, collecting, compiling, and reviewing voluminous records, and utilizing technical information. The Senior Paralegal may also be responsible for organizing office procedures relating to other support staff. The Senior Paralegal will work independently to support at least five attorneys and will supervise a legal secretary who does handles office mail and the firm litigation calendar.

Distinguishing Characteristics: This is an experienced, advanced, journey level classification performing legal assignments with a high degree of autonomy. The Senior Paralegal will be assigned to more complex cases in different courts and other judicial and quasi-judicial forums (i.e. trial and appellate levels of state and federal court, tribal court, other state courts, mediation, arbitration, and others). The Senior Paralegal will also be responsible for legal and factual research and will be supporting attorneys in advancing case strategy. The work performed requires knowledge of advanced legal concepts, principles, terminology, procedures and the extensive use of legal reference material.

Examples of Essential Duties

Duties may include, but are not limited to the following:

  • Performs legal research, including statutory analysis, review of case law and legislative history, and cite checking.
  • Performs factual research, including analysis of public records and secondary sources to support attorneys handling complex litigation.
  • Managing data in large spreadsheets under supervision of attorney in charge of case.
  • Prepares initial drafts of pleadings incorporating legal and factual research.
  • Drafts legal documents including notices, subpoenas, interrogatories, declarations in support of motions, proposed orders, research memoranda, proposed rules, proposed orders, proofs of service, and correspondence.
  • Filing pleadings in various tribunals, including directing in person filing (rare) and electronic filing (common).
  • Assists with locating and contacting witnesses, arranges for the interview and evaluation of witnesses, drafts witness declarations in proceedings and pretrial statements and assists with the preparation of witness testimony.
  • With the assistance of legal secretary, compiles and organizes trial notebooks, exhibits, files and other materials and documents.
  • Coordinates the scheduling of witnesses, answers witness questions, communicates with witnesses regarding the status of their case/trial, coordinates witness travel and expenses, and assists with witness issues, exhibits and note taking.
  • Prepares initial drafts of formal discovery requests and responses, including special interrogatories, requests for admissions, production demands, deposition notices and motions to compel for the attorney, and organizes information in order to respond to such discovery requests.
  • Prepares summaries of depositions, court transcripts and witness testimony.
  • Monitors and tracks criminal and civil cases in California and other jurisdictions; and investigates, gathers and reviews case documentation and information.
  • Performs a number of other similar or related duties, which may not be specifically included within this job description, but which are consistent with the general level of the job and the responsibilities described.

Employment Standards

Knowledge of:

  • Advanced principles, concepts and methodology of legal proceedings and legal research.
  • Principles of legal writing and legal terminology.
  • Structure and procedural rules of state and federal courts at the trial and appellate levels.
  • The State Bar Act, State Bar Rules, Rules of Conduct and other relevant laws as they apply to the performance of major duties and responsibilities of the position (to be obtained during the introductory period).
  • Problem identification, analysis, and evaluation.
  • Advanced principles of effective writing and verbal presentation.
  • Business math for completing non-technical calculations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
  • Modern office practices and procedures, including the use of standard computer software such as Microsoft Office and case management system applications. The successful applicant will have a high level of proficiency in using Microsoft Word, including Styles and Table of Authorities, Excel, as well as Adobe Acrobat pdf editing software.
  • Computerized legal research system(s), such as Westlaw, Lexis Nexis, and CEB.
  • Clio case management software with Google Drive integration.

Ability to:

  • Prepare legal documents including discovery requests, motions, and summary dispositions.
  • Extract and organize information from a variety of sources and software platforms.
  • Organize work, set priorities, and meet deadlines.
  • Maintain confidentiality of firm documents and records.
  • Carry out duties in accordance with policies, procedures, and scope of responsibility.
  • Gather, analyze, and interpret data and information.
  • Review and analyze complex written documents and problems.
  • Establish and maintain effective and productive work relationships.
  • Communicate clearly and effectively in person, telephone, and in writing.
  • Write effectively, in a clear, concise, and well-organized manner, using proper grammar, vocabulary, and punctuation.
  • Travel by air and automobile as required.

Requirements

Education: Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience in a field that develops the skills required for the functions and responsibilities of the position.

Experience: Five (5) years’ experience as a paralegal.

License, Certificate, Registration Requirements:

  • Certification of completion of an approved paralegal program.
  • Mandatory continuing legal education: completion of four hours of legal ethics classes and four hours of general law classes every two years.

Physical Requirements:

  • Visual capability and digital dexterity to operate a computer and other standard office equipment.
  • Make fine visual distinctions upon proofreading written documents and viewing information on a computer screen.
  • Digital dexterity to assemble, retrieve, and replace files.
  • Frequent repetitive motion; frequent writing; frequent grasping, holding and reaching.
  • Frequent hearing and talking, in person and on the phone.
  • Sit for extended periods of time.

* Upon demonstrated satisfactory performance, the Senior Paralegal may work remotely one day per week.

Benefits

Greenfire Law offers a competitive salary within the range of $85,000-$120,000, 401(k) matching plan, health insurance, and paid time off.

Application

Send cover letter, reference list, and resume or CV to jblome@greenfirelaw.com. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered.


Greenfire Law, PC
P.O. Box 8055
Berkeley CA 94707

510.900.9502
administrative@greenfirelaw.com