How to start advising on climate risks...
Plus, climate groups sue NY over climate law backtracking
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.
There are always ways to advise climate-conscious companies and causes with the skills you already have.
Because everyone needs employment advice, contracting support, regulatory counseling, and all the other legal skills that we learn as lawyers.
But what if you want to directly address climate issues?
Where do you start?
To me, the best place to start is to understand the types of climate risks, and then look for ways to advise on mitigating those risks.
This can be a really thought provoking exercise, and help you to transition to a climate mindset.
Because there are a large number of legal tools that you can use to mitigate risks, but you first need to be able to identify the risks at play and how they impact your client.
According to The Chancery Lane Project, there are 3 types of climate risks.
Physical Risks, Transitional Risks, and Liability Risks.
Physical risks are the kinds of things you see on the weather channel, including extreme weather events like floods, hurricanes, and heatwaves, as well as gradual changes such as rising sea levels and shifting climate patterns.
Transitional risks are financial and operational risks that result from changing regulations and perspectives. As governments and economies embark on a low-carbon future, organisations face challenges in adapting to new regulations, market demands, and shifting investor expectations. These transitions can create financial and operational pressures.
Liability risks are specific legal exposures relating to climate risks, such as legal claims, regulatory fines, or reputational damage. Think about greenwashing litigation, shareholder suits, and other adverse actions arising from climate risks.
Think of this like an issue spotting exercise.
Providing legal advice on climate issues is a very nuanced and individualized process, and each business will face different issues and challenges in addressing climate risks.
Once you identify climate risks, what do you do next?
Well, we’re going to talk about that on Day 2 of our Climate Pro Bono Bootcamp coming up on April 22 and 23.
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, 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.
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, Energy + Telecomm. Robinson + Cole. Multiple Offices. https://lateralhub.com/job/140-0036. Robinson+Cole seeks an associate with 2 to 5 years of experience to join the Environmental, Energy + Telecommunications Practice Group in any of its East Coast offices. Salary range: $185,000 to $202,500
Associate, Energy & Project Development. Morgan Lewis. Washington DC, Chicago, Boston, New York, Houston. https://lateralhub.com/job/169-0048. Morgan Lewis is seeking a junior or midlevel associate with 2-5 years of large law firm experience to join its Energy & Project Development practice group. The successful applicant must possess transactional experience preferably in connection with energy and/or infrastructure, project development, finance and/or M&A. Salary range: $225,000 to $365,000.
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, Real Estate Energy & Infrastructure. Orrick - all US office locations. https://lateralhub.com/job/116-0060. Orrick currently has an opportunity for a real estate associate to join its market-leading Energy & Infrastructure practice, with 3 to 5 years of real estate experience, with a strong preference for experience in the energy and infrastructure sector. Salary range: $260,000 - $390,000.
Associate, Commercial and Energy Litigation. Norton Rose Fullbright. Los Angeles, CA. https://lateralhub.com/job/172-0014. Norton Rose Fulbright is seeking an Associate lawyer with 3-5 years of experience to join our Commercial and Energy Disputes team. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in all phases of litigation.
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.
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 Assistant. NextEra Energy. Juno Beach, FL. https://jobs.nexteraenergy.com/job/Juno-Beach-Legal-Assistant-FL-33408/1268350300/. No salary listed. 3+ years of experience. NextEra Energy, the world’s largest producer of renewable energy from wind and solar, seeks a Legal Assistant with expertise in commercial or residential real estate and title matters to support attorneys with legal research, document preparation, and transactional support.
Real Estate Paralegal. Pattern Energy Group. Houston, TX. https://careers-patternenergy.icims.com/jobs/2748/real-estate-paralegal/job. $80,000–$108,000. 2+ years of experience. Pattern Energy Group, a leading renewable energy company with a global footprint, seeks a Real Estate Paralegal to support project acquisitions and development through title review, document drafting, contractor management, and transactional due diligence.
Contract Attorney. ENGIE. Houston. https://www.engie.com/en/jobs/administrative-support-secretary/attorney. Pay Rate: $70.00 - $90.00/hr. Must have four to seven (4-7) years of law firm experience in positions relevant to wholesale U.S. power and gas markets. ENGIE North America isn’t just participating in the Zero-Carbon Transition, we’re leading it!
Sr Legal Assistant. NextEra Energy. Juno Beach, FL. https://jobs.nexteraenergy.com/job/Juno-Beach-Sr-Legal-Assistant-FL-33408/1276128300/. No salary listed. 8+ years of experience. NextEra Energy, the world’s largest producer of renewable energy from wind and solar, is seeking a Senior Legal Assistant to support its commercial legal team with administrative functions, legal document preparation, scheduling, and outside counsel coordination.
Engineering, Procurement, and Construction Attorney. Solar Landscape. Asbury Park, NJ. https://jobs.lever.co/solarlandscape/3d61bbd8-31c4-4bd8-b6db-2d31d892bcfc. No salary listed. 5+ years of experience. Solar Landscape, a leading developer of commercial and community solar projects across the U.S., seeks an EPC Attorney to oversee contract negotiation, regulatory compliance, and risk management for solar energy construction and development initiatives.
Senior Legal Counsel. Green Waste. San Jose, CA. https://workforcenow.adp.com/mascsr/default/mdf/recruitment/recruitment.html?cid=88c98010-aa81-453d-a520-789a95022ee5&ccId=19000101_000001&lang=en_US&jobId=580093. 6 years experience. GreenWaste has been an industry leader in recycling and waste diversion for more than 40 years and is on a growth trajectory after private equity investment in 2021.
Sr Legal Counsel. ENGIE. Remote. https://www.engie.com/en/jobs/legal-ethics/sr-legal-counsel. Minimum 7 years relevant experience as an attorney in complex commercial transactions and business operations; $108,800-182,850. ENGIE North America isn’t just participating in the Zero-Carbon Transition, we’re leading it!
Sustainability Counsel. HP. Texas. https://apply.hp.com/careers/job/26915904-sustainability-counsel-spring-texas-united-states-of-america?domain=hp.com. 7-10 years of legal work experience in the above-described subject matter areas covered by the Sustainability Legal team. The base pay range for this role is $146,650 to $255,850. We are a technology company born of the belief that companies should do more than just make a profit.
Counsel - ESG. McDonald’s. https://careers.mcdonalds.com/counsel-esg/job/28920028. McDonald’s Global ESG Legal Team is seeking a Senior Manager, Counsel to assist with a broad range of ESG matters! This role will focus on environmental-related compliance issues and will report to the Senior Counsel of Global ESG Legal.
General Counsel. Diamond Foundry Inc.. Bay Area, CA. https://careers.df.com/career-description/f52ec79e-721d-44e6-bafc-7a0e22d91b53. $200,000–$300,000. 8+ years of experience. Diamond Foundry, a rapidly growing and sustainability-focused tech manufacturer producing single-crystal diamond wafers, seeks a General Counsel to oversee legal strategy, compliance, contracts, and global expansion initiatives across its cutting-edge operations.
VP, General Counsel. energyRe. Houston, TX. https://www.energyre.com/career-listing/vp-general-counsel. No salary listed. 10+ years of experience. energyRe, a company focused on advancing clean energy infrastructure, is seeking a VP, General Counsel to lead its legal team, manage complex transactions and corporate matters, and provide strategic legal guidance across its growing renewable energy operations.
Government and Non-Profit
Fall 2025 Litigation Intern. Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). San Francisco, CA or Washington, DC (Hybrid). https://careers-nrdc.icims.com/jobs/5744/fall-2025-litigation-intern/job. Paid (or for academic credit if required by school). 0–2 years of experience. NRDC, a leading environmental advocacy organization, seeks Fall 2025 Litigation Interns to support impact litigation efforts with legal research, writing, and participation in case strategy meetings on behalf of communities and ecosystems affected by environmental injustice.
Associate Counsel, Strategic Legal Advocacy. Earthjustice. Washington, DC or Remote (U.S.). https://earthjustice.org/job/associate-counsel-strategic-legal-advocacy. $95,200–$131,900. 1–5 years of experience. Earthjustice, the nation’s largest public interest environmental law organization, seeks an Associate Counsel to support high-stakes appellate litigation strategy and legal advocacy, focusing on emerging judicial doctrines and serving as a resource for both internal litigation teams and the broader legal community.
Assistant Attorney General. State of New Jersey, Division of Law. Trenton, NJ. https://njlps.training.simpligov.com/training/portal/ShowWorkFlow/AnonymousEmbed/5bdb691f-9e86-4d47-bd3a-57392a3b3fe3?element22=25%2D048&element24=Assistant%20Attorney%20General&element424=Division%20of%20Law&element411=04%2F27%2F2025. $178,250. 2-4 years of experience. The State of New Jersey's Division of Law seeks an Assistant Attorney General to oversee legal representation, litigation, and counseling within the Environmental & Clean Energy Practice Group.
Attorney: Represent New York in Environmental Matters (3779). Office of the New York State Attorney General. Albany, New York. https://statejobs.ny.gov/public/vacancyDetailsView.cfm?id=183355. Salary Range: $81,159 – $173,265. The Environmental Protection Bureau plays a central role in protecting New York's environment and public health.
General Litigation Counsel for Climate/Special Attorney General. State of Rhode Island. Providence, RI. https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/rhodeisland/jobs/newprint/4891052. $80,114.00 - $90,691.00 Annually. The Environment and Energy Unit within the Civil Division develops and leads high-impact, cutting-edge advocacy efforts in the environment and energy sectors, counsels the Attorney General and other government officials on environmental and energy-related issues; performs a range of functions, including litigation, public comment, policy development, and provides oversight with respect to `state and federal agencies’ regulatory actions and responsibilities.
Supreme Court Counsel, Strategic Legal Advocacy. Earthjustice. Washington, DC (Remote eligible). https://earthjustice.org/job/supreme-court-counsel-strategic-legal-advocacy. $197,820–$258,500. 10+ years of experience. Earthjustice, the nation’s leading public interest environmental law organization, seeks a Supreme Court Counsel to guide high-stakes appellate strategy, support litigation teams, and lead advocacy before state high courts, en banc federal courts, and the U.S. Supreme Court. *This organization is hiring for lots of different roles!
Director and Senior Counsel, Commercial. Environmental Defense Fund (EDF). New York, NY or Remote (U.S.). https://www.edf.org/jobs/director-and-senior-counsel-commercial. $160,000–$170,000. 10+ years of experience. The Environmental Defense Fund, a leading nonprofit focused on global climate solutions, seeks a Director and Senior Counsel to advise on contracts, data privacy, employment law, and risk management while supporting compliance and strategic initiatives across its U.S. and international operations.
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