How early in your career can you do work that matters?
A law student recently asked me how long before I felt the freedom to do climate-friendly legal work...
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 very rarely answer questions from law students one on one, as I usually prefer to maximize the impact by meeting with law student groups.
(If you represent a law student group, please feel free to reach out and we can set something up.)
But in a recent meeting with a student, I was asked a really thought-provoking questions:
How long into my career before I was able to start doing climate-friendly work?
But what the student was really asking was: How long until I could do work that matters?
For me, I realized that I wanted to do climate-friendly legal work when I was about 4 years out of law school.
At that time, I did not have any of my own clients and my network was pretty limited, but I had earned a lot of trust and support from the firm I was working at.
When I decided to start doing climate-friendly legal work, I was able to do so immediately.
Initially, that meant taking on pro bono clients, posting on LinkedIn, writing articles, speaking at conferences, and really putting myself out there as a climate-conscious lawyer (or rather a lawyer interested in specific climate industries and issues, because it is easier to start more narrowly and expand). I considered these things to be doing climate-friendly work, and I still do. Because what i was doing mattered.
I do not believe that you need paying clients to call yourself a climate lawyer. Sometimes that's not even the work that matters…
I didn’t really have a great answer to the law student’s questions because I could have started doing climate work earlier in my career, but I didn’t know that I wanted to yet.
I know lawyers that started doing climate-friendly work from the moment they graduate law school. They do not have some special formula that others lack. They are just looking at their circumstances and finding some way to do climate-friendly work. I’m sure if you look at your situation, there is something you could do, however, small to feel like you were doing climate-friendly legal work. If not, please, send me an email and I’ll shoot you back some suggestions based on your position/experience.
So, don’t think that you need to wait until a certain time to do climate-friendly work. Just get out there and start doing it.
Announcement: Green Pro Bono, Offit Kurman and the planetary lawyer project are planning a second Climate Pro Bono Bootcamp in Spring 2025.
Building on last year’s success, which drew more than 700 attorneys from across the world, this virtual training series will equip attorneys with the skills to support climate-focused organizations and businesses.
How You Can Get Involved: We are looking for attorneys to present and share their expertise on a variety of topics ranging from balancing pro bono with billable work to climate-contracting for nonprofits. If you have an idea for a training or would like to join our event planning committee, please let us know using this form! We are also looking for firms and organizations to act as sponsors and partners, and we welcome any support or suggestions!
Now onto this week’s 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, 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.
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. 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. https://lateralhub.com/job/122-0044
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
Corporate Attorney. Exponent. Menlo Park, CA. https://careers-exponent.icims.com/jobs/1840/corporate-attorney/job. $185,000 - $260,000. No minimum experience listed. Exponent is an engineering and scientific consulting firm looking for a Corporate Attorney with experience in privacy laws.
Legal Counsel. Octopus Energy. Houston. https://jobs.lever.co/octoenergy/d4209f37-d93a-433a-ad25-b9147dd5557d. 2-3 years of experience and be capable of managing your own workload. We are both an electricity retailer and a tech platform and we think there is no better way to address our greatest challenge, climate change, than with the combination of those two.
Junior Legal Counsel. Repsol. Houston. https://repsol.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/Repsol/job/Junior-Legal-Counsel_75344?utm_source=repsolcom-all&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=rep-empleo-all_2404_corp-buentrabajar. A minimum of 3 years’ experience in legal matters relating to renewable power generation (wind experience is a plus). Repsol S.A. is a Spanish multinational energy and petrochemical company based in Madrid.
Regulatory Attorney - Environmental. Susquehanna Steam Electric Station. Remote. https://talenenergy.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/TalenCareers/details/Regulatory-Attorney---Environmental_R0003342?jobFamilyGroup=5f854898b88010c954ed066cfe85ddbe. $185,000 to $200,000. 3-6 years of relevant experience. This role will focus on environmental compliance, regulatory rule tracking, litigation support, and partnership with internal technical teams and external industry groups, outside counsel, and consultants.
Legal Counsel, Sustainability. Apollo. New York City, NY. https://athene.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/Apollo_Careers/job/New-York-New-York/Counsel--Sustainability_R240454?source=LinkedIn. $225,000-$250,000. 4+ years of relevant experience. The Sustaiinability team is responsible for providing day-to-day legal support and strategic advice to Apollo’s Sustainability team, and to the business in connection with transactional and regulatory matters, including but not limited to new and emerging federal and state regulations in the US.
Sustainability Compliance Counsel. Thermo Fisher Scientific. Massachusetts. https://jobs.thermofisher.com/global/en/job/R-01275569/Sustainability-Compliance-Counsel?rx_a=0&rx_c=&rx_ch=jobp4p&rx_group=123525&rx_job=R-01275569-1&rx_medium=cpc&rx_r=none&rx_source=indeed&rx_ts=20241016T060604Z&rx_vp=cpc&utm_medium=ppc&utm_source=recruitics_indeedorganic&codes=INDEED&rx_p=WZERDOF5SO&rx_viewer=56f335b88b8711ef8b4d9bd23272460334853e7b215243d9ad0e89e994f2355d. 5+ years’ experience with demonstrable experience with sustainability-related matters or corporate disclosure within complex, matrixed, global organizations. Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. is an American-headquartered life science and clinical research company.
Legal Counsel, Renewable Energy. APEX CLean Energy. Charlottesville, NC. https://www.smartrecruiters.com/ApexCleanEnergy/744000019451077-legal-counsel-renewable-energy. No minimum salary listed, 2-8 years of relevant experience. The attorney will work closely with our team of attorneys to provide full legal services to internal clients in connection with the acquisition, development, financing, and construction of utility-scale renewable energy projects.
Senior Counsel for Environmental, Health, and Safety. Stepan Company. Remote. https://jobs.stepan.com/job/Remote-Senior-Counsel-for-Environmental%2C-Health%2C-and-Safety/1152111800/. A minimum of 7 years of legal experience primarily focused on environmental and workplace safety and health issues, preferably within the chemical, heavy manufacturing or energy industry. Established in 1932, Stepan Company is a major manufacturer of basic and intermediate chemicals.
Chief Environmental Counsel. Lubrizol Corporation. OH. https://jobs.lubrizol.com/job/Wickliffe-Chief-Environmental-Counsel-OH-44092/1213036200/. 8 years experience. The Lubrizol Corporation, a Berkshire Hathaway company, is a specialty chemical company whose science delivers sustainable solutions to advance mobility, improve wellbeing and enhance modern life.
Project Development Attorney. Antora Energy. San Jose, CA. https://www.antora.com/job/project-development-attorney. $217,000-$260,000. 8-10 years of relevant experience. The ideal candidate will have a background in project development within the renewable energy or oil & gas sectors, or extensive construction experience, particularly with large-scale infrastructure projects.
General Counsel. Radial Power. Houston. https://recruiting.paylocity.com/Recruiting/Jobs/Details/2689565. A minimum of 10 years of legal experience, with at least 5 years in a senior legal role. Radial Power focuses on providing distributed energy and sustainability solutions to commercial and industrial real estate asset owners across their regionally dispersed and diverse asset class portfolios.
Government and Non-Profit
Environmental Justice Law Fellow - Staff Attorney / Staff Attorney Trainee. Bay Area Air Quality Management District. San Francisco. https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/baaqmd/jobs/4679145/environmental-justice-law-fellow-staff-attorney-staff-attorney-trainee. Salary: $102,720.40 - $186,655.57 Annually. The Bay Area Air Quality Management District is launching a new Environmental Justice Law Fellowship Program to provide new attorneys with experience in the Air District’s equity and Environmental Justice work.
Attorney-Advisor (Environmental). Air Education and Training Command. AZ. https://www.usajobs.gov/job/812569400. Salary: $108,012 - $140,419 per year. The mission of the United States Air Force is: To fly, fight, and win ... Airpower anytime, anywhere. To achieve that mission, the Air Force has a vision of Global Vigilance, Global Reach and Global Power.
Associate Attorney. The Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC). Atlanta, GA. https://www.southernenvironment.org/career/associate-attorney-2/. $79,000-$92,300. 0-3 years of relevant experience. The associate role is an entry-level position open to recent law school graduates, attorneys completing clerkships, and practicing attorneys.
Clean Energy & Climate Attorney – Vermont. Conservation Law Foundation. Vermont. https://secure6.saashr.com/ta/6181430.careers?rnd=CDB&ShowJob=587633937&%40rtm=1&lang=EN. At least 2 years of experience practicing law for Staff Attorney I, 5 years for Staff Attorney II and 7 years for Senior Attorney, preferably in the areas of environmental and/or energy law and preferably in Vermont; The starting salary range for Staff Attorney I is $72,000-$84,000, for Staff Attorney II is $79,000-$92,000 and for Senior Attorney $88,000-$111,000. Conservation Law Foundation is an environmental advocacy organization based in New England.
Associate Attorney, Northeast Regional Office. Earthjustice. New York City, NY. https://earthjustice.org/job/associate-attorney-northeast-regional-office. $117,000 - $131,900. 2-5 years of relevant experience. The Associate Attorney will support and collaborate with our team of lawyers and scientists working to support healthy communities and speed the transition from dirty fossil fuels to clean energy solutions in the Northeast region.
Assistant Attorney General. Environmental Protection Division. Seattle, WA. https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/washington/atg/jobs/4667306/assistant-attorney-general-environmental-protection-division-seattle. $76,752 - $149,508. 5+ years of relevant experience. This position would be a great fit for applicants with familiarity and experience with pollution-related torts such as nuisance, citizen suits under federal environmental law, and the Consumer Protection Act.
Associate Director – Hubbell Environmental Law Initiative. University of Iowa. Iowa City, IA. https://uiowa.referrals.selectminds.com/jobs/associate-director-of-the-hubbell-environmental-law-initiative-36617?et=12YFgrsWT. Pay level: 6A. 5+ years of relevant experience with 2+ in educational experience. The HELI’s Associate Director will work closely with the Faculty Director and the Program Director. This position has funding for 7 years with possibility of continuation if additional funding can be identified.
Enjoying the newsletter? Wondering how you can contribute?
As climate champions, we often have big hearts and feel best when we’re part of the solution. If that sounds like you, don’t feel guilty or left out! Here are a few ways you can help us…
Refer a legal matter (because every client, no matter the industry or practice area, helps me to write this newsletter)
Reply with a message of support and appreciation (because I love hearing from readers)
Share this newsletter with a friend or on social media (because the best way to help the planet is to get more people involved in climate-friendly work)