The most important legal skill for climate lawyers?

A climate lawyer needs to know how to...

Mar 10, 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.

A climate lawyer needs to know how to…

What?

What legal skill does you need to know if you want to do more climate-friendly work?

Well, what does climate lawyering mean to you?

Here, we have a broad definition of climate lawyering, including: employment lawyers at electric vehicle manufacturers, IP counsel at sustainable consumer good companies, and any lawyer that helps a person, cause, or business to do something that benefits the planet.

So, if I wanted to be cheeky, I would say that you already have the skills to be a climate lawyer, you just need to find someone that needs that skill.

But I know that you’re looking for a different answer.

What you’re really asking is: what skill do you need to have a more direct impact s on climate issues.

And, again, most people also think about ESG or international climate law, but I don’t think that is accessible to 99% of the legal world, so I encourage people to think differently.

I encourage lawyers to think about having an Impact.

Yes, I just randomly capitalized “Impact” because that’s how I think of it.

I know when it feels like I’m making the world a better place, and when I’m not.

So, what is the most important skill for having an Impact as a climate lawyer?

I’m still not going to give you a simple answer…

But I can give you some options.

For instance, so far in my career, some of the most direct Impact I’ve been able to have has been through advocacy efforts.

Those advocacy efforts required me to understand how administrative agencies work, and involved working at the state and local level, rather than the federal level.

And they’re been incredibly rewarding, building relationships, credibility, and a client base.

Plus, unlike ESG and international law, advocacy is available to everyone.

There are literally infinite opportunities for advocacy…

…if you understand the legislative process, administrative law, how policies are made and implemented, and how to influence those policies at the agency level.

I’ve come across a 100 or so advocacy opportunities in my career, and have only had time to take on a few of them.

In fact, I’m still sad about not being able to help createa policy for schools to create “share tables” that allow students to leave uneaten and safe food for food-insecure students.

But you can’t do everything.

If, instead of being sad that you can’t do everything, you’re wondering where to start…

You should join us for the Climate Pro Bono Bootcamp in April 2025. (On 4/22 and 4/23 to be exact.)

It’s a virtual conference where we will teach you skills that you can use to do climate pro bono and/or expand your practice to focus on climate issues.

(It’s free and we’re going to give you CLE in many jurisdictions.)

And the first day is focused on advocacy and impact litigation.

The second day is focused on corporate and transactional skills that support climate.

Some would argue corporate skills can have an even greater climate impact.

Because here’s the thing…

There isn’t just one skill set that is going to help you have an Impact.

There are many different skills that you can use to make a difference.

I told you I wasn’t going to give a simple answer.

So, come learn with us, and then go out into the world and make it better.

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.

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 1 to 3 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, Tax/Energy Project Finance, Norton Rose Fulbright. SF, LA, Denver, Chicago, DC, NYC, Austin, Houston, Dallas. https://lateralhub.com/job/172-0003. Norton Rose Fulbright is seeking a tax associate (2-3 years experience) with a strong interest in renewable energy and other aspects of the energy transition to work with its project finance group. NYC and DC Salary Range: $260,000- $235,000.

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.

Environmental Associate (Mid-Level). Greenberg Traurig. Washington, D.C. https://gtlaw.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/GTLAW/job/Environmental-Associate--Mid-Level-_JR202500350. $235,000-$325,000. 2+ years of experience. Greenberg Traurig, a leading global law firm, seeks a mid-level environmental associate with experience in regulatory compliance, administrative law, and environmental issues related to chemicals, consumer products, and litigation, to join its Washington, D.C. office in a hybrid role working with a wide range of clients across industries.

Associate, Environmental, Energy + Telecomm. Robinson + Coyle. 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, 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.

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. Orrick - 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.

Counsel, Environmental & Mass Torts, Norton Rose Fulbright. SF, LA. https://lateralhub.com/job/172-0002 Norton Rose Fulbright is seeking an experienced lawyer with 6+ years of practice in environmental, energy, and natural resources law to advise clients on complex, high-profile, and high-risk issues at both national and international levels. Salary Range: $225,000 - $275,000.

Sr. Associate/Counsel, Project Development. Norton Rose Fullbright. Multiple Offices. https://lateralhub.com/job/172-0010. Norton Rose Fulbright is seeking a senior projects lawyer with 7+ years of experience in construction, procurement, and project development, ideally with prior in-house legal experience at a developer, energy company, or infrastructure firm. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in project development within the renewable energy, energy transition, or oil & gas sectors, with substantial experience managing complex transactions and advising on risk allocation in large-scale infrastructure projects. Salary range: $250,000 - $450,000.

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

Senior Corporate Paralegal. Enviri. Philadelphia, PA. https://careers.enviri.com/job/senior-corporate-paralegal-in-philadelphia-jid-2310. No salary listed. 4+ years of experience. Enviri, a global leader in environmental services and sustainability solutions, seeks a Senior Corporate Paralegal to support corporate governance, board logistics, SEC filings, and global subsidiary management, while assisting with corporate transactions, executive compensation matters, and maintaining corporate records.

General Counsel. Bio Ferm. Madison, WI. https://workforcenow.adp.com/mascsr/default/mdf/recruitment/recruitment.html?cid=cbcd14bc-49bb-457d-a989-634dbf0d827a&ccId=9201107833417_2&lang=en_US&jobId=543389. Must have 3+ years of experience gained in law firm and/or in-house setting. BIOFerm is an experienced provider of turnkey renewable energy systems for biogas upgrading and anaerobic digestion.

Counsel – General Corporate/Finance. Solar Landscape. Asbury Park, NJ. https://jobs.lever.co/solarlandscape/76be72bd-da12-4e56-a271-1999dc8d7ecf. No salary listed. 2+ years of experience. Solar Landscape, a leading commercial and community solar developer, seeks a Counsel to provide legal support across corporate governance, project finance, regulatory compliance, and project development, helping facilitate solar project transactions and ensuring compliance with evolving renewable energy regulations.

Senior Legal Operations Analyst. Duke Energy. Charlotte, NC. https://dukeenergy.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/search/details/Senior-Legal-Operations-Analyst_R34023?jobFamilyGroup=161f83deb8ca019e6b1dcd59a74c4d0e. No salary listed. 3+ years of experience. Duke Energy, a leading energy provider, seeks a Senior Legal Operations Analyst to support the Office of General Counsel by managing financial processes, budgets, corporate governance compliance, and special projects, serving as a primary contact for legal business operations and ensuring effective internal controls and processes.

Corporate Counsel, Ethics and Compliance. Lucid Motors. Newark. https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/lucidmotors/jobs/4603213007. 4-6 years total of related work experience, with at least 2 years of experience in Ethics and Compliance or Investigation programs. $153,000 - $210,430 USD. At Lucid, we set out to introduce the most captivating, luxury electric vehicles that elevate the human experience and transcend the perceived limitations of space, performance, and intelligence.

Attorney. Kairos Power. CA. https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/kairospower/jobs/5385182004. 5 + years of legal experience, demonstrating progressively increasing responsibilities. The salary range for this position is $144,900 to $181,200 for employees working onsite at our Alameda, CA headquarters. Kairos Power is a new nuclear energy technology and engineering company whose mission is to enable the world’s transition to clean energy, with the ultimate goal to dramatically improve people’s quality of life while protecting the environment.

Corporate Counsel. Renewable Properties. San Francisco, CA (Hybrid). https://www.renewprop.com/careers?bzid=ae7fbd7dea3b. No salary listed. 5-8 years of experience. Renewable Properties, a leading developer and investor in small-scale utility and community solar projects, seeks its first in-house Corporate Counsel to manage legal functions across real estate, project finance, EPC contracts, M&A transactions, and corporate governance, supporting the company’s rapid growth in the renewable energy sector.

Senior Director, ESG & Product Regulatory Counsel. Various Locations. Wabtec. https://wabtec.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/es/wabtec_careers/job/Senior-Director--ESG---Product-Regulatory-Counsel_R0093516. Minimum of seven (7) years of experience. $161,300.00-$229,800.00. Wabtec Corporation is a leading global provider of equipment, systems, digital solutions, and value-added services for freight and transit rail as well as the mining, marine, and industrial markets.

Managing Counsel, Labor and Employment. Lucid Motors. AZ. https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/lucidmotors/jobs/4669060007. 7 years experience. At Lucid, we set out to introduce the most captivating, luxury electric vehicles that elevate the human experience and transcend the perceived limitations of space, performance, and intelligence.

Managing Counsel, Corporate and Securities. Lucid Motors. Newark, CA. https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/lucidmotors/jobs/4623671007. $205,600-$301,510. 9+ years of experience. Lucid Motors, a leading luxury electric vehicle manufacturer, seeks a Managing Counsel for Corporate and Securities to advise on corporate governance, SEC compliance, public company reporting, and strategic transactions, providing business-focused legal solutions to support the company’s growth and innovation in sustainable transportation.

Senior Vice President and General Counsel (onsite/hybrid). Agribank. https://agribank.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/1/home/requisition/36?c=agribank. 15+ years’ legal practice or related experience. $239,000 - $392,000. As a key member of the Legal team and a senior leader at AgriBank, you will be part of AgriBank's mission to support the people who feed the world.

Government and Non-Profit

Litigation Paralegal. Earthjustice. Anchorage or Juneau, AK. https://earthjustice.org/job/litigation-paralegal-alaska-regional-office. $82,700-$91,900. 4+ years of experience. Earthjustice, the premier nonprofit environmental law organization, seeks a Litigation Paralegal for its Alaska Regional Office to provide litigation and administrative support to attorneys working to protect Alaska’s environment, defend Indigenous communities, and advance the transition to clean energy through federal and state court advocacy.

Wildfire Policy Legal Fellow, Stanford Law School. Stanford. https://careersearch.stanford.edu/jobs/wildfire-policy-legal-fellow-stanford-law-school-28005?src=JB-10064. The expected base pay for this position is $80,000. The Environmental and Natural Resources Law & Policy Program (ENRLP) of Stanford Law School and the Climate and Energy Policy Program (CEPP) of Stanford’s Woods Institute for the Environment invite applications for a Wildfire Policy Legal Fellow.

Staff Attorney. Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy (MCEA). St. Paul, MN. https://www.mncenter.org/staff-attorney. $88,000-$93,000. 3-6 years of experience. Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy, a nonprofit environmental law and policy organization using science and law to protect Minnesota’s environment and public health, seeks a Staff Attorney to litigate in state and federal courts, engage in administrative and legislative advocacy, and collaborate with partners, communities, and policymakers to advance environmental justice and sustainability.

Law & Policy Program Director (Senior Attorney). Puget Soundkeeper. Seattle, WA. https://pugetsoundkeeper.org/about-us-main/employment/. $90,000-$105,000. 7+ years of experience. Puget Soundkeeper, a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting and enhancing the waters of Puget Sound, seeks a Senior Attorney to lead its legal and policy program, overseeing environmental enforcement litigation, policy advocacy, and community lawyering to advance clean water and environmental justice across the Puget Sound region.

Co-Director, Environmental Law Clinic (Assistant Professor of Law - Teaching). Stanford Law School. Stanford, CA. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/pace-haub-environmental-law-program-9b25461a3_elc-co-director-activity-7303124299391922176-6tfK?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAADBN8LIBEsY09zj-EPKgQ9zWerJeLoUPP4s. $238,000-$265,000. 8-10+ years of experience. Stanford Law School seeks a Co-Director for its Environmental Law Clinic, a leading clinical program providing law students with hands-on experience in environmental litigation, administrative proceedings, and policy advocacy on behalf of nonprofit organizations, tribes, and indigenous communities, with a docket spanning issues from climate policy to species conservation.

CEO. Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy (MCEA). St. Paul, MN. https://www.mncenter.org/leadership-search. $160,000-$190,000. No specific experience range listed. Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy, a leading nonprofit using law and science to protect Minnesota’s environment and public health, seeks a CEO to lead its legal, policy, and advocacy work, foster an inclusive and collaborative organizational culture, and build strong relationships with community partners, donors, and policymakers to advance environmental justice and climate solutions across the state.

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