Am I optimistic about climate pro bono?

Plus, transparency is key for Europe in tackling the climate crisis

May 05, 2025

Hi! I’m Matthew Karmel, founder of the planetary lawyer project and Chair of the Environmental and Sustainability Law Group at Offit Kurman. (Any views expressed are my own. Nothing here is legal advice.)

I started my career as an associate with a single pro bono climate client and am now the head of a cutting edge climate-focused practice group at a full-service AMLaw 200 law firm.

I started this newsletter to help you build your own climate-friendly legal career by sharing hard-won lessons from my own career, short interviews with other climate-focused lawyers, legal developments, and relevant job opportunities.

We just wrapped up the 2025 Climate Pro Bono Bootcamp.

Welcome to the 300+ readers who joined the newsletter through the Bootcamp!

We got many questions during the Bootcamp from people feeling hopeless…

afraid…

alone…

But, the Bootcamp was incredible…

Sure, I’m exhausted, but I’m also incredibly inspired and grateful.

If you missed the event, but want to catch the recording shoot us an email by clicking here.

What exactly did you miss though?

We learned how to support climate-focused policies and push back against governmental attacks on climate.

We learned about how specific attorneys got involved in climate pro bono, and how they used it to advance their career.

We learned what climate litigation really looks like, and how to get involved even if you are worried about conflicts and other barriers.

We learned how to help non-profits remain compliant while doing non-profit work.

We learned about climate contracts, both in general and in the real estate context.

We learned that climate-related legal work, including pro bono, is not limited to environmental litigators but requires a broad range of expertise across virtually all practice areas.

We learned that climate-conscious lawyering is becoming an integral part of a lawyer's professional duty of competence, and climate pro bono is a great way to train the necessary skills in this context.

We learned that, for the most part, lawyers already possess the necessary skills to contribute to climate work and there are numerous practical entry points.

We learned that lawyers can make a significant collective and personal impact through climate pro bono.

But most importantly…

…

We learned that we’re not alone.

We learned that we can make a difference.

We learned that every lawyer can do climate pro bono, no matter their skills, role, or experience level.

We learned to hope.

This newsletter is now at 1650+ readers.

We’ve already heard several stories of lawyers from the Bootcamp going out into the world and making a difference, and it’s barely been two weeks.

If you’re like those lawyers, let us know what you’re doing by emailing us here. We can help and your stories will help motivate others.

If you’re still finding your way, that’s great! Please feel free to reach out if you’re stuck.

We can do this together.

Insights and Sponsors

This week’s issue is sponsored by Green Pro Bono, a nonprofit that matches lawyers with climate-related pro bono work. There are such a wide range of opportunities for lawyers that want to have an impact to collaborate with Green Pro Bono. Click here to get involved and start doing pro bono climate work.

Now, look no further for insights on all things climate, as well as resources from our sponsors!

Now onto this week’s job opportunities.

Have a lead on a job opening? Share it here.

Did you miss an issue? Want to see all the current job postings? Check out our job board here!

Private Practice

Lateral Hub powers this week's private practice opportunities! Lateral Hub is the online lateral job board for where top-tier large, midsize, and boutique law firms publish openings so you can browse and apply directly - it's free to use, no account required.

You can even get SMS job alerts from Lateral Hub tailored to your practice area and location.

Associate, Environmental Transactional. Proskauer, New York. https://lateralhub.com/job/146-0003. Proskauer is seeking a jr./mid-level associate (2-4 yrs) with experience at a large firm in handling the environmental transactional aspects of complex M&A, private equity, financing, and real estate matters. Experience with environmental regulatory compliance matters, brownfield clean-up and other remedial matters, and matters relating to sustainability, climate change and renewable energy is preferred. Salary Range: $215,000- 415,000.

Associate - Environmental, Regulatory and Legislative. Jackson Walker. Austin, TX. https://lateralhub.com/job/124-0030. Jackson Walker is seeking an Administrative Litigation Associate with 2-5 years of experience in regulatory litigation and/or electric utility law. No salary range provided.

Associate, Land Use. Downey Brand LLP. Sacramento or San Francisco, CA. https://lateralhub.com/job/164-0007. Downey Brand, one of California’s leading law firms in water, environmental, and natural resources law, is seeking a talented mid-to-senior level associate attorney with 2 to 7 years of experience to join our Natural Resources Department. Salary range: $160,000 – $239,000.

Associate, Energy Transactions. Akin. Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston. https://lateralhub.com/job/165-0017. Akin’s corporate practice group seeks class of 2018-2021 energy associates to be resident in the Houston, Dallas or Fort Worth offices. Ideal candidates will have at least 3 years of experience in upstream or midstream energy transactions. No salary noted.

Associate, Energy Regulatory & Markets Group. Latham & Watkins, Washington DC. https://lateralhub.com/job/143-0033/. Latham is seeking an associate with a minimum of 3 years of federal energy regulatory experience, including experience practicing before FERC with respect to power and/or natural gas. Salary range: $260,000 – 365,000.

Associate, Land Use, Coblentz. SF. https://lateralhub.com/job/173-0009. Coblentz is seeking an associate with 3-6 years of experience in land use law to join the firm's practice. Salary range: $235,000-$300,000

Associate, Energy & Infrastructure. Orrick. SF, DC, NYC, Austin, Houston. https://lateralhub.com/job/116-0036. Orrick is seeking an associate with 3-6 years’ experience in energy and infrastructure joint ventures and/or M&A. Salary Range: $235,000 - $390,000.

Jr./Mid-Level Associate, Environmental. Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner. Multiple Offices. https://lateralhub.com/job/102-0055. Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner is seeking a highly motivated, exceptionally qualified associate (at least 3 to 7 years of experience) to join its nationally recognized Energy, Environmental and Infrastructure practice in one of our US offices. Salary range: $215,000 to $290,000.

Associate, Energy FERC. Troutman Pepper Locke. Washington DC (preferred). https://lateralhub.com/job/110-0132. Troutman Pepper Locke’s Energy Regulatory Practice Group is seeking to add an associate with 3 to 7 years of experience in energy regulatory matters to join our FERC team. The position will be focused on electric matters; candidates with experience with FERC’s electric program are strongly preferred. Salary Range: $275,000 - $370,000.

Associate, Renewable Energy Project Development. Troutman Pepper Locke. Washington, DC, Atlanta, or New York. https://lateralhub.com/job/110-0021 . 4-7 years of project finance and development experience, including experience with M&A, EPCs, O&M, development, supply agreements, power purchase agreements, and project finance, ideally with renewable energy and/or infrastructure projects. Salary Range: $275,000 - $370,000.

Associate, Transactional Tax (Energy). Troutman Pepper Locke. Multiple Offices. https://lateralhub.com/job/110-0146. Troutman Pepper’s Tax Practice subgroup of its Tax & Benefits practice group seeks a mid- to senior level associate to join its transactional tax team, with a focus on the energy industry. Salary range: $305,000 - $380,000.

Associate, Land Use. Allen Matkins. Orange County. https://lateralhub.com/job/137-0031. Allen Matkins is seeking a land use attorney (4-7 yrs) with experience in land use due diligence, processing entitlements, and environmental review under CEQA. Salary range: $250,000 - 315,000.

Associate, Renewable Energy Tax. Husch Blackwell. Multiple Offices/Remote. https://lateralhub.com/job/159-0029. Husch Blackwell has an immediate opening for a Renewable Energy Tax Credit Associate with five to seven years of experience preferred. We will consider candidates for any of our offices including our virtual office, The Link. Salary Range: $225,000 - $265,000.

Associate, Water Litigation. Downey Brand LLP. Sacramento, CA. https://lateralhub.com/job/164-0007. Downey Brand LLP is seeking a talented attorney with 5-8 years of experience to join its esteemed Water Litigation Practice Group. This is a unique opportunity to represent both public and private sector clients , tackling complex and impactful legal matters that shape water policy, rights, and environmental protection. Salary range: $185,000 – $215,000.

Energy & Infrastructure/PPA Projects Associate. Orrick - all US office locations. https://lateralhub.com/job/116-0045. Orrick currently is seeking an associate for its market-leading Energy & Infrastructure practice, with experience in the areas of energy projects work relating to renewables and energy storage, and specifically focused on energy offtake. Salary range: $260,000 - $435,000.

In-House

Paralegal. Redwood Materials. San Francisco, CA. https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/redwoodmaterials/jobs/5527223004?gh_jid=5527223004. $73,000–$110,000. 6+ years of experience. Redwood Materials, a circular supply chain innovator for electric vehicles and clean energy products, seeks a Paralegal to support corporate governance, commercial contracts, financings, equity administration, and regulatory compliance in a dynamic, sustainability-focused startup environment.

Assistant General Counsel, Finance. Nexamp. Chicago. https://www.nexamp.com/careers/job/7964473002. At least 5 years legal experience, preferably in a law firm setting.  At Nexamp we’re tapping into a natural source of energy and powering communities and businesses across the country.

Senior Corporate Counsel. Recology. San Francisco. https://phg.tbe.taleo.net/phg03/ats/careers/v2/viewRequisition?org=RECOLOGY&cws=43&rid=6442. 5 years experience. $190,880 - $215,000; Wage dependent on experience and geographic location. Recology: A World Without Waste We seek to eliminate waste by developing and discovering sustainable resource recovery practices that can be implemented globally.

Claims Counsel. Waste Connections. Texas. https://careers.wasteconnections.com/us/en/job/R-86441/Claims-Counsel. 5 years experience. Waste Connections, Inc. (TSX/NYSE: WCN) is an integrated solid waste services company that provides non-hazardous waste collection, transfer and disposal services, including by rail, along with resource recovery primarily through recycling and renewable fuels generation.

Senior Counsel, Project Development - Brisbane, CA or Houston, TX. Heirloom. https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/heirloomcarbon/0607ec4a-9696-4f8d-be66-b029bc6c8d47?departmentId=e28a86ea-850c-4a78-87b9-d321305da0a9&utm_source=vrMJrWO2aM. 7 years practicing law. At Heirloom we use the natural carbon capture properties of abundant minerals to pull CO2 from the air, and store it permanently underground.

Senior Legal Counsel. Vermont Electric Power Company (VELCO). Rutland, VT (Hybrid). https://velco.breezy.hr/p/2f229cd8abab-senior-legal-counsel. $156,890–$188,270. 8+ years of experience. VELCO, the nation’s first transmission-only electric utility, seeks a Senior Legal Counsel to provide regulatory and transactional legal support across energy policy, compliance, and business strategy as Vermont’s grid undergoes transformational change.

Senior Contracts Manager. Environmental Resources Management (ERM). Philadelphia, PA or any U.S. ERM office. https://erm.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/ERM_Careers/details/Senior-Contracts-Manager--ERM-Legal-Department--US-Canada-Latin-America---the-Caribbean_R00026652?q=counsel. No salary listed. 10+ years of experience. ERM, a global sustainability consultancy, seeks a Senior Contracts Manager to oversee commercial contract review, team management, and legal support across the U.S., Canada, and Latin America for high-profile clients in industries such as tech, energy, and healthcare.

Director, Legal – Operations Services. Republic Services. Phoenix, AZ (Hybrid). https://jobs.republicservices.com/us/en/job/R-150737/Director-Legal-Operations-Services. No salary listed. 10+ years of experience. Republic Services, a leading environmental services provider, seeks a Director of Legal to oversee legal support for nationwide operations, manage litigation and compliance matters, and lead a team of attorneys and paralegals in a dynamic, multi-state corporate environment.

General Counsel. Voltera. Denver-LA. https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/volterapower/jobs/4713092007. 15 years experience. Base salary ($275,000 to $325,000). Voltera develops, owns, and operates strategically located, fit-for-purpose charging facilities enabling you to deploy and operate EVs at scale.

Government and Non-Profit

Executive Assistant, Energy Transition. Environmental Defense Fund (EDF). New York, NY (mostly remote, must be based in NY or NJ). https://www.edf.org/jobs/executive-assistant-energy-transition. $72,000–$78,000. 5+ years of experience. The Environmental Defense Fund, a leading nonprofit working to address climate change and promote sustainability, seeks an Executive Assistant to support senior leaders in the Energy Transition team with high-level scheduling, communication, travel logistics, and strategic operations for a three-year fixed-term role.

BR-2503 General Counsel Undergraduate Intern. WWF. DC-Washington. https://careers-wwfus.icims.com/jobs/3864/br-2503-general-counsel-undergraduate-intern/job. Paid - $20.50 per hour (full-time, 35 hours per week). For 60 years, WWF has worked to help people and nature thrive.

Associate Attorney (SG-28). New York Department of Environmental Conservation. Office of General Counsel, Bureau of Minerals and Materials Management, Environmental Permitting Section. Albany, NY. https://statejobs.ny.gov/employees/vacancyDetailsView.cfm?id=185871. From $112528 to $138203 Annually. The Associate Attorney serves as program counsel to the Division of Environmental Permits, which administers DEC’s permit management system.

Senior Attorney (SG-25). New York Department of Environmental Conservation. Bureau of Climate, Air, and Energy in the Office of General Counsel in the Energy Section. Queens, New York. https://statejobs.ny.gov/public/vacancyDetailsView.cfm?id=186656. From $66951 to $121413 Annually. The Senior Attorney's duties will include participating in proceedings related to the (i) siting and permitting, (ii) construction, and (iii) operation of major energy generation, transmission and battery storage projects throughout the State, including those related to wind (both onshore and offshore), solar, hydroelectric power, as well as natural gas.

Staff Attorney. Defenders of Wildlife. Denver, CO or Washington, DC. https://defenders.org/about/jobs?p=job%2Fosqevfwl. $116,000–$125,000. 3+ years of experience. Defenders of Wildlife, a national nonprofit dedicated to conserving biodiversity, seeks a Staff Attorney to litigate under federal environmental laws, support conservation policy, and provide legal guidance on wildlife protection and public lands issues.

Senior Energy and Biodiversity Policy Specialist. Defenders of Wildlife. Washington, DC; Denver, CO; or Remote. https://defenders.org/about/jobs?p=job%2FopGZvfwj. $101,000–$115,000. 6+ years of experience. Defenders of Wildlife, a national nonprofit focused on protecting imperiled species and habitats, seeks a Senior Energy and Biodiversity Policy Specialist to lead strategies that ensure energy development avoids harm to wildlife and ecosystems.

Senior Attorney. Earthjustice. Bozeman, MT (hybrid) or remote from MT, ID, or WY. https://earthjustice.org/job/senior-attorney-northern-rockies-office. $144,400+. 6+ years of experience. Earthjustice, a leading nonprofit environmental law organization, seeks a Senior Attorney to lead litigation and advocacy efforts protecting wildlife, public lands, and tribal interests across the Northern Rockies.

Associate Vice President of Strategic Litigation. Conservation Law Foundation (CLF). Boston, MA (preferred), or Providence, RI/New Haven, CT with hybrid flexibility. https://secure6.saashr.com/ta/6181430.careers?CareersSearch=&lang=en-US. $110,000–$143,000 (Boston) / $99,000–$128,000 (outside MA). 9+ years of experience. Conservation Law Foundation, a leading environmental advocacy nonprofit in New England, seeks an Associate VP of Strategic Litigation to help lead impact litigation on climate accountability, pollution reduction, and environmental justice, while managing attorneys and advancing program strategy.

General Counsel. Ocean Conservancy. 15 locations. https://workforcenow.adp.com/mascsr/default/mdf/recruitment/recruitment.html?cid=4786a4ca-9800-4db8-98cb-8bc9baad2b0d&ccId=19000101_000001&lang=en_US. A minimum of 10+ years of relevant work experience and years of legal practice as an attorney, preferably with US tax-exempt entities or international nonprofits. The expected minimum salary is $185,300. Ocean Conservancy works to protect the ocean from today’s greatest global challenges.

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