Getting over climate impostor syndrome...

Plus, Trump's first 100 days as reviewed by Columbia's Sabin Center

Jun 02, 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.

I started this newsletter when I was still in transition.

I was a senior associate with a few climate-focused clients.

But not enough to sustain my own practice.

I even joked to one recruiter who asked if I had a “book of business” that I only “had a few sentences.”

(I like dumb jokes, and I like to laugh at myself.)

But, even though I didn’t have all the answers, I felt like it was important to start sharing the lessons that I was learning even though I was still building my career.

Because, incomplete as they may be, I would have loved to be able to send these thoughts to my younger self.

While most of you know me as an outgoing and confident person, that’s not how I felt starting out.

I have plenty of stories of being absolutely crushed by shyness and insecurity.

It was difficult walking into client meetings, job interviews, conferences, board retreats, etc. as part of my regular work!

So, it was incredibly difficult to get on here and start sharing advice without feeling like an impostor.

I so often felt like an impostor.

But I kept putting myself out there, because the only solution for feeling like an impostor is to have courage, continue to put yourself out there, and make sure that you’re doing the work to back up your efforts with real knowledge and expertise.

It can also be really helpful to wrap yourself in a supportive community.

That’s why when I started this newsletter, I was really excited to share my story, as well as those of my community.

There are a lot of great interviews in our archives, showing how other lawyers carved out climate-focused careers with grit, determination, creativity, and will.

We’re restarting the interview series this year, and as we start to record new interviews, I wanted to share some of our old ones with you too.

So, the next time you feel like an impostor, you can read and feel confident that others have come before you and that you will find your way through as well.

Here are all of the interviews we’ve conducted (in alphabetical order):

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, 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, 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.

Senior Attorney, FERC/Energy. Thompson Coburn, DC. https://lateralhub.com/job/162-0020. Thompson Coburn is seeking a FERC Energy Attorney with a minimum of seven years of experience, including FERC litigation and settlement, ISO/RTO market stakeholder proceedings, energy and/or capacity market participation issues and power supply arrangements. Salary Range: $240,000 - $280,000.

Senior Attorney, Environmental, Torts & Regulatory. Norton Rose, Any US NRF office location (SF, LA, Houston, Dallas, Austin Preferred). https://lateralhub.com/job/172-0019 . NRF is seeking an experienced environmental regulatory lawyer with at least 8 years of practice experience in complex, high-profile matters involving infrastructure, renewable energy, and power development projects. No salary range provided.

In-House

Compliance Manager. Kate Farms. Goleta, California. https://apply.workable.com/kate-farms/j/2E39CB5D42/. Minimum 2 years of business experience including participation in cross-functional projects, preferably in food/beverage. $90,750 - $110,000 Annual Base Salary. Kate Farms is a company with heart. Our company was founded on the belief that good nutrition leads to good health, and good health opens the door to endless possibilities.

Associate General Counsel. Nautilus Solar Energy’s. Chicago. https://apply.workable.com/nautilus-solar-energy/j/F90E94B629/. 3+ years of legal experience in the renewables industry; solar DG or community solar experience preferred. Competitive Salary: $165,000 - $180,000. Sunshine may power our solar farms, but it is the 40,000+ environmentally-committed Solar Pioneers that power Nautilus Solar Energy.

Legal Counsel. Tomra. Shelton, CT. https://jobs.smartrecruiters.com/Tomra/744000048579089. 3+ years of relevant experience preferably in an in-house role. Salary: $110,000 to $120,000. TOMRA is on a mission to develop a circular economy—one where waste is treated as a valuable resource. TOMRA is on a mission to develop a circular economy—one where waste is treated as a valuable resource.

Corporate Counsel. Kate Farms. Massachusetts. https://apply.workable.com/kate-farms/j/C1CE5C721F/. Minimum of 3 years of relevant legal experience, with a focus on transactions, contracts, FDA regulatory matters, and privacy. $113,275 - $162,300 USD. Kate Farms is a company with heart. Our company was founded on the belief that good nutrition leads to good health, and good health opens the door to endless possibilities.

Employment & Commercial Counsel. Rent the Runway. Brooklyn. https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/renttherunway/jobs/6819941. 4+ total years of practicing law, including 2+ years experience in employment law and 2+ years of work as in-house counsel for an operating company. The anticipated base salary for this position is $154,170 to $192,712. As the ultimate destination for circular fashion, the brand now offers infinite points of access to its shared closet via a fully customizable subscription to fashion, one-time rental or ownership.

Real Estate Counsel. Catalyze. Purchase, NY. https://jobs.lever.co/catalyze/36bac73a-cfb2-4535-9b54-303997716ccb. $135,000-$170,000. 4+ years of experience. Catalyze, a national renewable energy developer and independent power producer focused on solar and battery storage integration, seeks a Real Estate Counsel to manage project real estate due diligence, support business development, and oversee transactional and compliance matters in renewable energy projects.

Intellectual Property Attorney. Xylem Inc. Charlotte, NC or Morrisville, NC (Hybrid). https://xylem.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/xylem-careers/details/Intellectual-Property-Attorney_R42160?jobFamilyGroup=823e9825b1ac01f8db95e47ace162228. $146,100–$263,000. 5+ years of experience. Xylem, a global water technology company, seeks an Intellectual Property Attorney to lead patent portfolio management, IP strategy, trademark protection, and legal support for R&D and business teams worldwide in support of sustainable water solutions.

Transactional Attorney. Pacific Fusion. Fremont, CA. https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/pacificfusion/058a139f-1e8a-41fb-91bf-027c1624b488. $175,000–$250,000. 5+ years of experience. Pacific Fusion, a clean energy startup developing pulsed magnetic fusion systems, is hiring a Transactional Attorney to lead procurement and commercial transactions, support complex legal agreements, and help scale contracting operations across engineering and business teams.

Global Lead Patent Counsel – Sustainable Products. Hitachi Energy. Solna (Stockholm) or Västerås, Sweden. https://www.hitachienergy.com/us/en/careers/open-jobs/details/JID3-131246. No salary listed. 5+ years of experience. Hitachi Energy, a global technology leader advancing sustainable energy solutions, is seeking a European Patent Attorney with a technical background to lead the Sustainable Products patent team, managing patent portfolios, prosecuting applications, and driving IP strategy for transformers and high voltage products.

Vice President of Legal, Project Financing. Electra. Boulder, CO. https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/electrasteel/jobs/4570055005. $235,000-$257,000. 5+ years of experience. Electra, a climate tech company revolutionizing iron production with a patented, clean process, seeks a VP of Legal to lead complex international project finance transactions, including equity and debt financing, regulatory compliance, and legal strategy for large-scale manufacturing projects.

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 at an AmLaw 200 firm as a corporate/business lawyer.$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.

Senior Counsel. Gotion Inc. Illinois. https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/gotion/jobs/7754766002. Minimum of 5 years of relevant legal experience in a law firm or in-house counsel role, preferably in a manufacturing, energy, or high-growth environment.The U.S. base salary range for this full-time position is $180k –$250k. Gotion Inc. is based in Silicon Valley, CA, currently building a Manufacturing facility in Manteno, IL and has R&D centers in Ohio, China, Japan and Europe. We innovate in the next generation electric vehicle and energy storage technologies.

Corporate Counsel. Archive. Remote. https://jobs.lever.co/Archive/64592232-7f97-44ed-8a10-dc455b855120. 4-7 years proven legal experience in a business environment, such as working within a law firm or a corporation, preferably with experience in technology, where a variety of legal topics were part of regular work, including corporate, contract, intellectual property, privacy, and/or tax laws. Join Archive in our mission to change consumer shopping behavior for the better. If you think humans buy too much stuff and throw too much away, then this problem is for you.

Director, Associate General Counsel. Shoals. Portland. https://www.paycomonline.net/v4/ats/web.php/jobs/ViewJobDetails?job=309730&clientkey=BBC98E01F1F27C80A5FDE6ABEECA4271. Minimum of 5 years of legal experience, preferably in a manufacturing or industrial setting. Shoals Technologies Group (NASDAQ: SHLS), a global leader in electrical balance of systems (EBOS) for solar, energy storage, and eMobility solutions.

VP Corporate Governance & General Counsel. Energy Northwest. Richland, WA. https://energynorthwest.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/External/job/VP-Corporate-Governance---General-Counsel_REQ25_151. A minimum of 10 years as a licensed attorney. $300,000.00 - $400,000.00 Annual. As a regional leader in clean energy generation and public power solutions, Energy Northwest develops, owns and operates a diverse mix of electricity generating resources, including hydro, solar, battery storage and wind projects.

Director - General Counsel. MonoSol. Chicago. https://www.paycomonline.net/v4/ats/web.php/jobs/ViewJobDetails?job=297174&clientkey=36E39642F3B792D80A70C85CCF70A88D. 10+ years of experience as a practicing attorney, with 5+ of prior in-house experience, and previous firm tenure. Compensation range - $200,000.00 – $275,000.00. Join a fast-growing, global team that works with some of the world’s biggest and most respected brands — transforming everyday products, making them simpler, safer and more sustainable.

Legal Director/General Counsel. Gotion Inc. Fremont, California. https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/gotion/jobs/6580239002. 10+ years of experience as a practicing attorney, with at least 3 years of experience in a leadership or management role. $200,000 - $250,000 USD. Gotion Inc. is based in Silicon Valley, CA, currently building a Manufacturing facility in Manteno, IL and has R&D centers in Ohio, China, Japan and Europe. We innovate in the next generation electric vehicle and energy storage technologies.

Government and Non-Profit

Program Manager. Yale Center for Environmental Justice (YCEJ). New Haven, CT. https://bit.ly/ycejpm. $73,000+. 6+ years of experience. The Yale Center for Environmental Justice, a collaborative initiative across Yale’s schools and centers supporting frontline EJ communities and students, seeks a Program Manager to oversee operations, community partnerships, student engagement, event planning, and development initiatives.

Advocacy & Policy Coordinator. Riverkeeper Inc. Ossining, NY (Hybrid). https://riverkeeper.bamboohr.com/careers/37. $50,000–$60,000. 1–3 years of experience. Riverkeeper, a leading environmental nonprofit dedicated to protecting the Hudson River and regional drinking water supplies, seeks an Advocacy & Policy Coordinator to organize community coalitions and advocate for policies that advance clean water, habitat restoration, and climate resilience across the Hudson Valley.

Assistant City Attorney, Senior (Natural Resources/Environmental). City of Bellingham. Bellingham, WA. https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/cobwa/jobs/4942879/assistant-city-attorney-senior-natural-resources-environmental. $129,276-$157,152. 4+ years of experience. The City of Bellingham seeks a Senior Assistant City Attorney to provide legal counsel on environmental law, water rights, and infrastructure matters for the Public Works’ Natural Resources Division, including litigation, contract review, and real estate transactions.

Director, Collaborative Clinic for Non-Profit Viability. Yale Center for Environmental Justice (YCEJ), Yale University. New Haven, CT. https://apply.interfolio.com/167400. $105,000–$130,000. 3–5 years of experience. The Yale Center for Environmental Justice seeks a Director to lead a cross-institutional legal clinic providing transactional and organizational legal support to environmental justice and Indigenous organizations, with responsibilities in clinical supervision, curriculum development, legal advocacy, and strategic leadership.

Public Lands Counsel. National Wildlife Federation. Washington, DC (Hybrid or Remote). https://recruiting.ultipro.com/NAT1047NWF. $90,000–$115,000. Join the National Wildlife Federation’s Public Lands Team as lead legal advisor on federal land policy, energy development, conservation planning, and litigation strategy. J.D. required with at least 3+ years’ experience in public lands or environmental law. Deep familiarity with NEPA, FLPMA, and related federal statutes preferred. Applications reviewed on a rolling basis.

Program Manager, Legal Strategies. Sequoia Climate Foundation. Irvine, CA (Hybrid) or Washington, DC (Remote). https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/4220923673. $185,000–$190,000. 8+ years of experience. Sequoia Climate Foundation, a global philanthropy focused on decarbonizing the world economy, seeks a Program Manager to lead and manage legal strategy grantmaking, support cross-sector collaboration, and drive strategic initiatives that advance climate-related legal and policy change.

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