Surviving Federal hiring freezes and other career setbacks

All lawyers face setbacks, in fact, climate lawyers may be...

Jan 27, 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’ve been hearing over the past week from lawyers and law students that have had their careers impacted by the election and the Federal hiring freeze.

If you don’t know, President Trump issued an executive order earlier this week freezing hiring for all governmental agencies for up to 90 days.

This has caused many rescinded offers, terminated interviews, and generally left some of our fellow lawyers without the future they had been counting on, which is tremendously scary.

Without diminishing what these lawyers are going through, I’m sure that all of us can think of a time in our careers where things looked bleak.

A time when things did NOT go your way, and you wondered how you would make ends meet or have the career you wanted…

Maybe you’re impacted by the current hiring freezes.

Maybe you didn’t get the job you were applying for, or the promotion you wanted.

Maybe you made a mistake, or just had a bad day on the job.

Maybe you had something happen in your personal life.

. . . .

If you are facing such a time now, or when you do in the future, I know how hard it can be.

If you’re open to some advice, as a first step you might take a step back.

What does it mean to step back?

It means to stop, really stop, sit down in a quiet space, and feel whatever comes up for you, be it anger, sadness, humiliation. Do this for however long it takes for those feelings to shift. The feelings may lessen, they may stop entirely, they might turn into other feelings, they may reveal some silver lining, they may just become “tolerable” rather than “soul crushing.”

Let it all come out.

I know when I have faced career setbacks, my first reaction is doom, gloom, and self-recrimination. But, after I go through a period of self-reflection and put the setback in perspective, I see it as a minor blip, even it felt really awful in the moment.

Even more, sometimes I find that the setback was really just a redirection, and that my career takes a turn I didn’t expect, and that turns out to be better than the path I had intended.

Like how when I applied to law schools, and didn’t get into my top choices, but instead got into Fordham. A redirection that I wouldn’t trade for any T14 law school diploma.

Like how when I couldn’t get a job in a bankruptcy practice, which believe it or not was my top choice coming out of law school, and ended up finding my way to environmental law.

Like when I had some major setbacks on my path to developing my own climate practice, and ended up switching firms and finding a home for myself among entrepreneurial lawyers that were interested in helping me meet my climate goals at Offit Kurman.

I’m not saying that every setback has led to something better, some of them just suck, but sometimes the detour is the path forward even if we don’t know it yet.

And if you’re impacted by the federal hiring freeze, head over to LinkedIn for some specific suggestions on how to move forward and find a new path forward.

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 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.

Litigation Junior Associate (Environmental, Product Liability & Mass Torts). Morgan Lewis. Los Angeles. https://lateralhub.com/job/169-0016. Morgan Lewis seeks to hire highly qualified associates with excellent academic credentials and one to three years of large law firm and/or judicial clerkship experience to join our product liability & mass torts and environmental teams within the litigation practice group. Salary Range: $225,000 to $260,000.

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, 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 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, 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.

Energy & Project Development Junior/Midlevel Associate (Nuclear Regulatory). Morgan Lewis. Washington, D.C.https://lateralhub.com/job/169-0037. The successful applicant must have an interest in the area of Nuclear Energy and be eligible to acquire a District of Columbia bar membership (or already be a member of the DC bar). U.S. nuclear regulatory experience and a background in science or engineering would be helpful, but are not required if the individual has a strong regulatory background. Salary range: $225,000 to $365,000. No minimum experience noted.

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, Oil & Gas/Energy & Infrastructure - Houston or Austin, TX. https://lateralhub.com/job/116-0062. Orrick is looking for an associate with 3 to 6 years of experience in energy and infrastructure including oil and gas. Salary range: $260,000 - $390.

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. 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, 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.

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

Law Clerk. Clean Harbors. Norwell, MA. https://epyc.fa.us2.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CLH-US/job/143329/?keyword=legal&mode=location. Clean Harbors is looking for interested Law Students to join our legal team located in Norwell, MA.Practice area will involve civil/commercial litigation, regulatory, environmental and employment/labor law. Applicants must be willing to work a minimum of 20 hours per week during a school semester, the schedule is flexible, and a minimum of 30 during the summer. A full semester is required, but one year is preferred. Clean Harbors is the leading provider of environmental, energy and industrial services throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico.

Litigation Attorney. Clean Harbors. Norwell, MA. https://epyc.fa.us2.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CLH-US/job/143322/?keyword=legal&mode=location. 1+ year experience. Clean Harbors is looking for a Litigation Attorney to sit in Norwell, MA. The Litigation Attorney provides legal advice and counsel on pending and potential claims, including matters covered by the Company’s insurance programs (Auto/General Liability/Property), arising out of the Company’s various business operations.Clean Harbors is the leading provider of environmental, energy and industrial services throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico.

Legal Counsel, Cambridge, MA. Inari Agriculture. Cambridge, MA. https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/inariagriculture/jobs/7781858002?gh_jid=7781858002. No salary listed. 5+ years of legal experience. Inari is a SEEDesign™ company revolutionizing agriculture with advanced technology and nature-positive solutions. This role involves drafting and negotiating contracts, advising on legal risks, and supporting corporate governance in a dynamic, collaborative environment. Experience in biotechnology, AI, and data governance is a plus.

Senior Project Manager, Legal Specialist, Juno Beach, FL. NextEra Energy. Juno Beach, FL. https://jobs.nexteraenergy.com/job/Juno-Beach-Senior-Project-Manager%2C-Legal-Specialist-FL-33408/1253387800/. No salary listed. 5+ years of experience. NextEra Energy is the world's largest producer of renewable energy from wind and solar, leading in battery storage. The Senior Project Manager, Legal Specialist, will work in the Law Department, improving work processes, deploying innovative technologies, and assisting attorneys with legal operations

General Counsel. Amentum. Ohio. https://www.amentumcareers.com/jobs/general-counsel-columbus-ohio-united-states. 7 years of legal experience.Amentum is looking for a General Counsel and Secretary to serve as a senior legal advisor in support of the Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant Decontamination and Decommissioning project in Piketon.

U.S. Legal Counsel, Corporate - U.S. Legal Affairs. Suncor. Commerce City, CO. https://suncor.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/Suncor_External/job/Commerce-City/US-Legal-Counsel--Corporate---US-Legal-Affairs_R0011215. 4 to 10 years practicing law with a transactional focus (law firm experience preferred); Annual Compensation Range: $190,000 to $220,000.At Suncor, we produce and provide energy.

Head of Legal. ZENOBE. NY. https://careers.zenobe.com/jobs/5445763-head-of-legal-us. 10+ years; Base salary per annum: USD$150,000 - USD$220,000. Our goal is to make clean power accessible, to accelerate the shift to zero carbon power and transport.

Head of Legal. Lithos. Washington. https://apply.workable.com/lithos/j/384E191E1D/. 10+ years of relevant experience. Lithos Carbon revolutionizes the carbon capture industry through enhanced rock weathering technology.

Government and Non-Profit

GWC Water Law Fellow. Getches-Wilkinson Center for Natural Resources, Energy and the Environment, University of Colorado Law School. Boulder, CO. https://www.colorado.edu/center/gwc/2025/01/21/now-hiring-gwc-water-law-fellow. $70,000. 1+ years of experience. The Getches-Wilkinson Center, dedicated to advancing sustainable management and conservation of natural resources with a focus on the American West, seeks a Water Law Fellow to address pressing water law reform issues, conduct research, collaborate on policy initiatives, and support public interest water law projects.

Policy Attorney (Policy Counsel), Hybrid (Washington D.C.). The Good Food Institute. Washington, D.C. https://gfi.org/job/?gh_jid=7787280002. $110,817.20 - $116,358.16. 2+ years of experience. The Good Food Institute is a nonprofit think tank advancing plant-based, fermentation-enabled, and cultivated meat to create a better food system. The Policy Attorney will analyze regulatory proposals, support litigation, draft policy briefs, and work on government relations initiatives.

Staff Attorney. Riverkeeper. Ossining, NY. https://riverkeeper.bamboohr.com/careers/29. $75,000–$90,000. 3–6 years of experience. Riverkeeper seeks an environmental attorney to advance clean water and ecological restoration goals through litigation, policy advocacy, and public education. The attorney will manage a docket of cases, enforce environmental laws, develop policy strategies, and collaborate with agencies and stakeholders to protect the Hudson River and New York City’s drinking water.

Clinical Supervising Attorney and Lecturer in Law. Environmental Law Clinic, Stanford Law School. Stanford, CA. https://careersearch.stanford.edu/jobs/clinical-supervising-attorney-and-lecturer-in-law-environmental-law-clinic-stanford-law-school-27604. $130,000–$170,000. 5–10 years of experience. Stanford Law School’s Environmental Law Clinic seeks a supervising attorney to manage litigation and policy advocacy on environmental, natural resource, and energy issues. The role involves supervising students, teaching lawyering skills, managing clinic cases, and engaging in professional development. On-site position starting no later than August 1, 2025.

Deputy Managing Attorney. Earthjustice, Northeast Regional Office. New York, NY. https://earthjustice.org/job/deputy-managing-attorney-northeast-regional-office. $211,950–$235,500. 10+ years of experience. Earthjustice, the nation’s leading environmental law organization, seeks a Deputy Managing Attorney to oversee litigation and staff management, mentor junior attorneys, and develop legal strategies to address climate change, safeguard public health, and accelerate clean energy transitions in the Northeast.

Senior Attorney, Hybrid (Denver, CO or Washington, D.C.) – Defenders of Wildlife. https://defenders.org/about/jobs?p=job%2Fojqevfwc. $160,000 - $180,000. 10+ years. Defenders of Wildlife is a nonprofit dedicated to protecting wildlife and wild places. The Senior Attorney will engage in litigation and legal advocacy to advance policies protecting biodiversity, including under the Endangered Species Act and NEPA.

Managing Attorney, Washington D.C. Regional Office. Earthjustice. Washington, D.C. https://earthjustice.org/job/managing-attorney-washington-dc-regional-office. $221,040 - $245,600. 10+ years of experience. Earthjustice is a nonprofit public-interest environmental law organization committed to advancing clean energy, preserving natural resources, and fighting climate change.

Senior Director, Legal. U.S. Energy Foundation. San Francisco or Remote. https://www.ef.org/about-us/careers/?gh_jid=6304305003#open-positions. Significant legal experience in U.S. corporate, nonprofit, government, and contract law; The target salary range for this position is $270,000 to $297,000 for a candidate based in the metro areas of San Francisco, New York City, Seattle, San Diego, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., Boston, or Sacramento, and $245,000 to $269,500 for candidates in other areas of the U.S. Our work accelerates the transition to a clean energy economy by supporting policy solutions that create robust, competitive markets and the benefits they bring.

Environmental and Energy Unit Chief / Special Assistant Attorney General. Rhode Island. https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/rhodeisland/jobs/4689666/environmental-and-energy-unit-chief-special-assistant-attorney-general?department[0]=OFFICE%20OF%20THE%20ATTORNEY%20GENERAL&sort=PostingDate%7CDescending&pagetype=jobOpportunitiesJobs. At least 10 years of litigation experience is preferred but not mandatory. PAYGRADE 8740 ($116,814 - $134,665). The Office is seeking an attorney to work with leadership and partners in the Civil Division to set the course for the work of this Unit.

Sr. Attorney-Public Interest Litigation. Environmental Law & Policy Center. Washington DC Office. https://environmentallawpolicycenter.applytojob.com/apply/Qp1gIRoqAV/Sr-AttorneyPublic-Interest-Litigation. 11+ years of complex litigation experience in federal courts, especially Courts of Appeals, and demonstrated knowledge and expertise with environmental laws. $170,000-$200,000. The Environmental Law & Policy Center is the Midwest’s leading environmental legal advocacy organization. We drive transformational policy changes with national impacts.

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