Do you have ZERO options to work on climate? Follow this secret formula.

What do you do? Where do you start? How can you make a difference anyway?

Nov 18, 2024

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.

What do you do when you have absolutely no options to work on climate, but you know you need to just do something?

I spoke recently to students at Cardozo Law School, and a student asked how to get more experience given that Cardozo only has a few environmental classes.

I hear this same question from junior lawyers that work in private practice, from senior inhouse lawyers looking for a change, and from pretty much everyone that comes to the planetary lawyer project.

These lawyers are looking at their current experiences and feeling like they aren’t able to make a difference, and they do not see any way to make a difference.

But, what if there was a way to do more climate work, for all of these lawyers?

Well, I’m really excited to be the one to tell you this: there is.

There are always ways to work on climate for lawyers; you just might need to think outside the box, or, more specifically, outside your employer or your law school curriculum.

Obviously, one step should be to ask: Are there any ways to work on climate within my current role that I’ve missed? Can I reframe the work I’m doing as building skills that would be helpful to climate businesses? Are there any businesses that I’m serving that are having an out-sized climate impact, either because they are in the energy, waste, transportation, or manufacturing industries or for some other reason? Is there any way I can advise my current clients on climate matters or support them as they do climate-friendly things? Is there anyone else among my colleagues that is doing climate-friendly work?

Alternatively, I have often looked outside of my current experience for ways to work on climate: Are there pro bono climate clients that I can serve either with my existing skills or with skills that I can develop? Are there topics that interest me that I can write about that would help businesses do something climate-friendly? Are there trade associations that I can get involved in so that I can better understand and/or advise a climate-friendly industry? Are there environmental nonprofits that I want to volunteer with that need my legal expertise or any other talents or time that I can offer?

The point is, you can get really creative in bringing climate work into your life, even if your employer or law school offers zero options at first glance.

Focus on what aspect of climate matters most to you, and go into the world to find opportunities. Trust me, there are so many out there.

It feels like this is a secret, but I started out focusing on food waste reduction, and volunteered with trade associations and NGOs focused on food waste.

It was incredibly rewarding, and helped me feel like I was making a difference.

At time, it felt like it was just a passion project, and it was, it had to be for me to commit to it as authentically as I did.

But, it also led me to represent large private equity funds, national companies, and other fantastic clients that still make up a part of my practice.

So, if you feel that you have no options to work on climate, or worry that your only options are not going to lead to anything, just drop those stories and start doing work that matters.

It will pay off as you pay it forward.

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Now onto this week’s opportunities.

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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, Energy/FERC. Thompson Coburn, Washington, DC. https://lateralhub.com/job/162-0008. Candidates should have 1-4 years of experience with FERC practice, knowledge of oil/natural gas pipeline regulation, and/or knowledge of the regulated energy markets, including ISO/RTO market stakeholder proceedings. Salary range: $185,000 – 220,000.

Associate, FERC. Blank Rome. Washington, DC. https://lateralhub.com/job/161-0005 Candidates should have 1-4 years’ experience, either exposure to federal energy regulatory laws affecting the natural gas, oil, or electric power industries, including Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and Department of Energy compliance, to energy transactions, or to energy enforcement and litigation involving the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission or Commodity Futures Trading Commission or an interest in developing that expertise in detail. Salary Range: $215,000 - $250,000.

Associate, Land Use. Cox Castle. Orange County. https://lateralhub.com/job/117-0010 Cox Castle is seeking a land use associate (2-4 yrs) with experience in land use (project entitlements, administrative proceedings, and litigation), including environmental review under CEQA, the Coastal Act, the Map Act. Salary range: $210,000-$240,000.

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, Environmental Litigation. Shartsis Friese, San Francisco. https://lateralhub.com/job/121-0007/ Shartsis Friese, a top midsize firm in San Francisco, is seeking an associate with 3+ years of solid environmental litigation and counseling experience. Candidates should have experience assisting clients in environmental matters involving state and federal environmental laws, including laws regulating hazardous and solid waste, water, air and endangered species, as well as California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) issues. Experience with land use litigation is a plus. Salary range: $ 235,000 - 265,000.

Associate, Environmental Litigation. Blank Rome. Any BR Office. https://lateralhub.com/job/161-0007. Candidates must have in-depth exposure (min 2-3 years’ experience) to state and federal environmental laws, including environmental compliance and regulations, environmental transactions, as well as environmental enforcement and litigation. The ability to manage representation of clients in connection with sites requiring remedial action under state and federal laws, particularly CERCLA, is required. Salary range: $225,000 - $250,000.

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.

Hydropower Energy (FERC) Associate. Troutman Pepper, DC or Portland. https://lateralhub.com/job/110-0117 The firm is seeking an associate with three to six years of experience in energy regulatory matters focused on hydropower matters. Salary range: $250,000-$345,000.

Associate, Environmental & Natural Resources. Troutman Pepper. Richmond VA. https://lateralhub.com/job/110-0113. Mid-level associate with 4-5 years’ experience. Ideal candidates will have knowledge of all aspects of environmental law, including regulatory compliance and enforcement defense. Additionally, experience in state energy regulatory proceedings before state public utility commissions (primarily Virginia and Maryland), including administrative litigation and related appeals to civil courts, is preferred. Salary Range: $275,000 - $305,000.

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.

Attorney, Energy & Utilities. Ice Miller. Indianapolis and Columbus. https://lateralhub.com/job/122-0044. Candidates must have 5-7 years of experience in either the public or private sector with experience in any of the following areas: energy law; utility regulatory law; and regulated industries. Experience with real property and/or contract law is preferred.

Water Litigation Sr. Associate. Downey Brand, Sacramento. https://lateralhub.com/job/164-0002. The firm seeks an attorney with 5-8 years’ experience to support its water litigation practice. Litigation experience including in both federal and state court related to a broad range of water issues is required. Salary Range: $185,000-215,000.

Sr. Attorney, Energy/FERC. Thompson Coburn, Washington, DC. https://lateralhub.com/job/162-0009. Candidates should have a minimum of seven years of experience with FERC practice, including FERC litigation and settlement, experience with and knowledge of the regulated energy markets, including ISO/RTO market stakeholder proceedings, background advising clients regarding energy and/or capacity market participation issues and power supply arrangements. Salary range: $240,000 – 280,000.

Sr. Associate, Renewable Energy Real Estate. Husch Blackwell, Any HB office, including fully virtual. https://lateralhub.com/job/159-0009. Candidates should have a minimum of seven years of experience with wind, solar, and/or battery storage real estate transactions. Salary range for select offices: $225,000 - $260,000.

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.

Sr. Associate, Environmental Litigation. Allen Matkins. SF, LA, Orange County, or San Diego. https://lateralhub.com/job/137-0026 . Allen Matkins is seeking a senior environmental attorney (7-10 yrs) with a wide range of regulatory defense and administrative enforcement matters, including CERCLA, RCRA, the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, and related California statutes. Salary range: $315,000 – 345,000.

In-House

Legal Counsel, Renewable Energy. Apex Clean Energy. Charlottesville, VA, USA. https://www.smartrecruiters.com/ApexCleanEnergy/744000019451077-legal-counsel-renewable-energy. 2-8 years of experience in regulatory, litigation, land-use, or environmental practice areas at a top-tier law firm, sophisticated corporate legal department or combination of the two. Since day one, the Apex team has been driven by a shared passion to accelerate the shift to America’s clean energy future.

Associate Counsel. Apex Clean Energy. Charlottesville, VA, USA. https://www.smartrecruiters.com/ApexCleanEnergy/744000019014127-associate-counsel. 2-8 years of experience in regulatory, litigation, land-use, or environmental practice areas at a top-tier law firm, sophisticated corporate legal department or combination of the two. Since day one, the Apex team has been driven by a shared passion to accelerate the shift to America’s clean energy future.

Contracts Manager. Scale Microgrids. Ridgewood, NJ (Hybrid). https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/4063817491/?refId=utjvcZ0hQAysMicZ8lsi0w%3D%3D&trackingId=utjvcZ0hQAysMicZ8lsi0w%3D%3D. No salary listed. 3+ years of experience. Scale Microgrids, a distributed energy platform, seeks a Contracts Manager to manage contract negotiations, oversee compliance, and support diligence activities in a fast-paced, growth-oriented environment. *We know this company. Reach out if you would like an introduction.

Legal Counsel, Climate. Stripe. South San Francisco, CA (Hybrid). https://stripe.com/jobs/listing/legal-counsel-climate/6379463. $191,200–$286,800. 3+ years of experience. Stripe, a leading financial infrastructure platform, seeks a Legal Counsel for its Frontier team to support carbon removal initiatives by negotiating complex offtake agreements and providing strategic legal advice to advance climate goals.

Regulatory Attorney - Energy and Water. Switch. Las Vegas. https://switchltd.hrmdirect.com/employment/view.php?req=3195890. Minimum 5 years’ experience in the energy, development, energy generation, water, and/or permitting and contracting sector. Switch innovates to sustainably progress the digital foundation of the connected world with a focus on enterprise class, emerging hybrid cloud technology solutions. Active Bar License in Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, and/or Texas.

Attorney. Intersect Power. Remote (Bay Area, CA; Houston, TX; Denver, CO; NYC; Calgary; Toronto; San Diego, CA). https://jobs.lever.co/intersectpower/09f850aa-e742-4a9f-acc9-b148764ae42b $200,000–$215,000 + 40–45% bonus. 5–7 years of M&A or renewable energy project finance experience required. The attorney will support transactional matters including project financing, M&A, tax equity, and capital markets. Intersect Power is a team of friends driven to preserve our planet for future generations through low-carbon energy and infrastructure solutions. This position is fully remote role with ~5 weeks of travel annually for team gatherings.

General Counsel. IFDC. Muscle Shoals, AL or Washington, D.C. https://ifdc.org/about-us/careers/. Minimum of 7 years' post admission experience in legal services, with at least 3 years in a senior management role. The salary grade for this position is BG 12 with an annual starting salary of USD 119,300. IFDC believes the key to global food security starts with the soil and ends at the supermarket.

Senior Legal Counsel. Enbridge Inc. Hybrid - North York or Chatham, ON (Canada). https://enbridge.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/enbridge_careers/details/Sr-Legal-Counsel_65539-1. Canadian law degree and 8+ years of experience required. The attorney will provide legal counsel on regulatory, litigation, and employment matters for the Gas Distribution & Storage business unit. Manage OEB proceedings, litigation strategies, and energy transition compliance. Hybrid work model with flexibility for remote work Wednesdays and Fridays. Application deadline: December 1, 2024.

Deputy General Counsel. FirstLight. Remote. https://firstlightpower.applicantstack.com/x/detail/a2zq0nr6y2og?pge=1&utm_source=ziprecruiter. 15+ years of experience. FirstLight is a leading clean power producer, developer, and energy storage company serving North America.

Government and Non-Profit

Associate Attorney. Sierra Club. Oakland, CA (On-site). https://jobs.lever.co/sierraclub/ae0b63dd-5089-45ea-844e-f973d446e9c2. $115,316–$147,710. 2–5 years of experience. Sierra Club seeks an Associate Attorney to support litigation and advocacy for its Environmental Law Program, focusing on transitioning from coal and gas to clean energy and advancing equity and justice in environmental policies.

Assistant Counsel – Transportation and Infrastructure. New York State Executive Chamber. Albany, NY (On-site). https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/4075794481/. $135,000–$175,000. 5+ years of experience. The associate counsel will serve as a legal expert and liaison for New York's transportation agencies, providing strategic legal counsel, managing legislation and litigation, and ensuring policy compliance in a fast-paced, high-impact role. Frequent travel between NYC and Albany required.

Attorney – Environmental Justice. Institute for Policy Integrity. New York, NY. https://policyintegrity.org/about/jobs/ejattorney2024. $93,600–$101,800. 3–6 years of experience. The Institute for Policy Integrity, a non-partisan think tank at NYU School of Law, seeks an attorney to support EPA Region 2 Environmental Justice TCTAC initiatives, providing legal, technical, and policy assistance to underserved communities.

Senior Attorney. Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). Remote or hybrid (US; NY, NY; Chicago, IL; San Francisco, CA; Santa Monica, CA; Washington, DC). https://careers-nrdc.icims.com/jobs/5627/senior-attorney/job. $160,000–$184,000. 8+ years of relevant experience. The senior attorney will lead complex environmental litigation, including large coalition cases, managing all aspects from development to appeals.

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