Director of Legal Strategy

## Clean Wisconsin – Director of Legal Strategy

Clean Wisconsin is a nonprofit organization with offices in Madison and Milwaukee and a mission to combat climate change and pollution in our air, water and land. We are seeking a motivated **Director of Legal Strategy**.

The Director of Legal Strategy leads Clean Wisconsin’s Legal Department, serves as the organization’s senior legal strategist, and counsels the President & CEO on legal strategy decisions made on behalf of the organization. The position is responsible for developing and implementing legal strategy, directing litigation and administrative proceedings, supervising staff attorneys, providing strategic legal counsel to organizational leadership, and providing legal support to important organizational initiatives such as Clean Wisconsin’s Environmental Health Initiative.

In this role, the Director of Legal Strategy identifies opportunities where legal action can advance Clean Wisconsin’s priorities. Legislative advocacy and non‑advocacy legal counsel remain outside the Legal Department. The Director of Legal Strategy reports directly to the President & CEO and serves on the senior leadership team, while also working closely with the Vice President and Board of Directors.

Clean Wisconsin is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion in our work and in our hiring practices. We value a team with different perspectives, educational backgrounds, and life experiences, and we prioritize diversity within our team. If you are not sure whether you might be qualified for this position but you think you have something special to contribute, we encourage you to apply. Please also see our statement on diversity, equity and inclusion.

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## Responsibilities

– **Long‑term legal strategy** — Develop and implement the organization’s long‑term legal strategy.
– **Department work plans** — Establish work plans for the Legal Department based on organizational priorities.
– **Staff supervision** — Supervise, mentor, recruit, and evaluate legal staff, interns, and fellows.
– **Department development** — Build the long‑term strength and reputation of the Legal Department.
– **Risk identification** — Identify emerging legal risks and opportunities.
– **Litigation advising** — Advise the President & CEO on litigation.
– **Litigation oversight** — Oversee litigation in state and federal courts.
– **Administrative proceedings** — Direct administrative proceedings before state and federal agencies.
– **Legal filings** — Prepare briefs, motions, petitions, comments, testimony, and appellate filings.
– **Outside counsel management** — Manage outside counsel, experts, and litigation budgets as appropriate.
– **Grant collaboration** — Collaborate with grants manager, program and communications departments on funding applications.
– **Legal support** — Oversee legal support to communities facing environmental health risks through the Environmental Health Initiative.
– **Legal research** — Oversee legal research to support program departments.
– **Program collaboration** — Collaborate with program staff to ensure initiatives are supported by sound legal analysis.
– **Partnerships** — Maintain relationships with law firms, universities, and partner organizations.
– **Representation** — Represent Clean Wisconsin in legal forums and professional associations.
– **Impact communication** — Help communicate the impact of the Legal Department to institutional funders and major donors when appropriate.

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## Required Skills and Traits

– **Strategic judgment**
– **Communication skills**
– **Complex litigation management**
– **Collaborative leadership**
– **Interpersonal skills**
– **Organization**
– **Independent work**
– **Discretion**
– **Accuracy**
– **Flexibility**
– **Creativity**
– **Sense of humor**
– **Mission commitment**
– **DEI commitment**

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## Working Conditions

This position is based in our Madison, WI office. We offer a hybrid environment with periodic travel throughout Wisconsin, occasional evening meetings, and court or administrative appearances.

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## Required Education

**Required:** J.D.; Wisconsin Bar admission or eligibility; 10+ years of litigation experience; demonstrated experience leading an organization, program or initiative (including fundraising responsibilities); exceptional legal research, writing, and analytical skills.

**Preferred:** Environmental, administrative, energy, public utility, natural resources, or appellate practice.

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## Compensation and Benefits

Salary range: **$130,000–$150,000**, commensurate with skills and experience.
Benefits include health and dental insurance, a 403(b) retirement plan with a 6% employer match, life and disability insurance, commuter benefits, a flexible hybrid work environment, paid time off, and holidays.

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## To Apply

Please submit a cover letter and resume describing your qualifications to **[email protected]**.
Include **“Director of Legal Strategy”** as the subject line of your email.