Lawyers for Climate Justice (L4CJ) is seeking practicing and non-practicing lawyers with a wide range of experience and expertise – plus a passion for climate justice – to join our Board of Directors.
Background
L4CJ is a multi-disciplinary group of lawyers that is focused on advancing climate justice within the legal profession in Canada. Our main goals are to:
Engage with the legal profession in Canada to build climate competency in recognition of the wide-ranging implications of climate change for the rule of law, for justice, and for justice system actors, by conducting educational and informational events and disseminating climate change information within the legal system;
Strive for climate competency and resiliency in the legal profession in Canada through education by and cooperation with law schools and law societies across Canada; and
Assist those who work within the justice system to recognize and adapt to climate change and its justice implications, including the links between adaptation, decarbonization, decolonization, and equality, by providing information and resources.
L4CJ is governed by a Board of Directors. We are currently looking to fill up to three open volunteer positions. The Board provides governance, leadership, and administrative oversight and plays a pivotal role in the functioning of the organization.
Qualifications
In particular, we are seeking the following qualifications, skills, and experience:
Member relations;
Website Development;
Accounting;
Search Engine Optimization and communications;
Organizational management; and
Board governance experience.
Even if your skills and experience do not fall within these categories, we welcome and encourage you to submit an expression of interest. Enthusiasm, a willingness to learn, and the energy to take on new initiatives are also very valuable.
Expectations
L4CJ expects its Directors to commit to the following:
Attend and participate in regular Board meetings (held approximately every two months) over a two-year term;
Take on additional Board roles, such as secretary or treasurer, and undertake those duties in a timely manner;
Assist in work between meetings, including preparing meeting agendas and background documents/research and responding to emails in a timely way;
Use your personal and professional skills, relationships, and experience to advance the interests of L4CJ; and
Represent L4CJ within the legal community and your spheres of influence.
Diversity of Experience
The Board of Directors is committed to recruiting and supporting skilled candidates for the Board that reflect the diversity of the legal profession in Canada. We encourage applications from women, persons of colour, persons with disabilities, and members of Indigenous, 2SLGBTQI+, cultural, religious, and linguistic communities. At this time, we are only accepting applications from lawyers who are called to the bar in a Canadian province or territory.
To Apply
Please send an expression of interest (maximum 300 words) by June 30, 2023 to christie.a.mcleod@gmail.com. This is a space for you to tell us a little bit about who you are, why you are interested in joining the L4CJ Board, and about your background and experiences.
Please do not include a resume or CV.
Depending on the level of interest, L4CJ may schedule an interview with potential candidates and its current Board members.
Please note that based on the information you submit, as well as the interview, the current Directors will develop a slate of its endorsed candidates to provide to the members, who will vote in new Board members by majority vote of those members who participate.
If you have any questions about the application process or the Board itself, please contact christie.a.mcleod@gmail.com.