The only advice climate lawyers need...
The only advice climate lawyers need...
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.)
Normally, this is where I tell you about why I started this newsletter and how it can help you build a climate-friendly legal practice…
But how about I show you!
Join us NEXT WEEK on April 27 for a complimentary CLE webinar to learn about the intersection between climate lawyering and capital markets, including private equity, venture capital and impact investment.
We’ll be sharing perspectives from in-house lawyers, law firms, and even former-lawyers turned impact investors!
Do what makes you nervous.
That’s it.
That’s the only advice you need as a climate lawyer.
In the engaging and nascent field of climate law, you need to be willing to do what makes you nervous.
Time and again, I have stepped beyond my comfort zone and taken on new projects and new responsibilities, and my career has grown accordingly.
Matt Toto from Palmetto Solar has seen the same thing in his career.
Matt intentionally transitioned from a non-climate role to corporate counsel at Palmetto Solar, and has done some pretty amazing things in his career, including meaningful volunteering and writing a children’s book.
Matthew Karmel: You’ve spent most of your career in in-house roles in the finance and real estate sectors, and you joined Palmetto Solar in September 2022. Can you share with us your thoughts on the transition?
Matt Toto: It was definitely intentional. Prior to joining Palmetto Solar, I was with a finance company that focused on equipment leasing, operating as a subsidiary of a publicly traded bank. I was there for nearly five years, experiencing the excitement of building a startup within a larger organization. I gained a wealth of business and operations experience, alongside legal insights. However, my aspiration when I went to law school was to become an environmental lawyer. As much as I valued my time in the banking world, I felt a calling to do something more meaningful that aligned with my personal values.
When the opportunity at Palmetto Solar arose, it felt like the perfect fit. While Palmetto is a blend of technology and environmental focus, our mission to expand solar and alternative energy nationwide resonated deeply with me. It was intentional for me to join a company with environmental objectives. It’s a rare opportunity in one’s career to be able to work in a field that aligns so closely with personal values. Although I had an interest in environmental issues and had done my fair share of reading, diving into the practical aspects of it has been eye-opening. It’s been about a year and a half, and I’m still learning every day, surrounded by colleagues who have decades of experience in the field. Despite the steep learning curve, I feel fortunate to be part of a team that shares my ideals and to have a role that is philosophically aligned with what I care about. It’s a unique privilege, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to contribute to something meaningful.
Matthew Karmel: How did the opportunity to join Palmetto Solar come about? Was it something you actively pursued, or did it happen unexpectedly?
Matt Toto: Well, it’s an interesting story. The opportunity actually came about through a LinkedIn post. I wasn’t actively seeking a change in my career, but as we all know, opportunities often come across our screens on platforms like LinkedIn. So, when I stumbled upon the job posting, I found it intriguing. It wasn’t a situation where the job fell into my lap, but rather one that caught my attention as I scrolled through my feed. I decided to explore it further, submitted my application, and went through the interview process. Interestingly, I approached the interviews with an open mind, not necessarily intending to leave my current role. However, as I learned more about Palmetto and their mission, I became increasingly excited about the possibility of joining them. It was clear to me that they were genuinely committed to making a difference, and I felt compelled to be a part of that.
Matthew Karmel: Do you have any parting advice for lawyers aspiring to pursue passion-driven work, particularly in areas like climate change or volunteerism?
Matt Toto: It might sound cliché, but it’s about taking action. If you feel compelled to make a difference, whether it’s in climate work or any other field, the first step is to start. You won’t have all the answers, and that’s okay. Embrace the uncertainty and take the leap. Just like with my children’s book, it had flaws, but I took action because it was something I wanted to do. So, my advice is simple: Be brave, even if it’s just for 30 seconds. Start doing the things that make you nervous, and you’ll find that each step forward leads to new opportunities and growth. There’s no other way to make a difference than to try and keep going.
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Now onto this week’s opportunities.
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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.
Land Use Associate. Cos Castle & Nicholson LLP. San Francisco, CA. https://lateralhub.com/job/117-0007/ Cox Castle & Nicholson LLP is seeking a land use associate with 2 – 3 years of experience to join our San Francisco office. Our ideal candidate will have focused experience in land use (project entitlements, administrative proceedings, and litigation), natural resource law, and CEQA/NEPA. The anticipated base salary for this position is $205,000 – $215,000, dependent upon experience and other relevant factors. Admission to the California Bar is required.
Associate, Construction Litigation. Troutman Pepper. Atlanta, GA. https://lateralhub.com/job/110-0087/. Troutman Pepper’s Construction group is seeking an associate to be based in our Atlanta office. This is an opportunity to represent clients on sophisticated commercial matters, including complex construction projects in the energy and infrastructure sectors. Ideally, candidates will have 2 to 4 years of commercial or construction litigation experience. The salary range for this position is $225,000 – $275,000 dependent on relevant years of experience. Candidates must be in good standing and licensed to practice in the state of Georgia.
Junior/Mid-Level Associate, Environmental. Proskauer. New York, NY. https://lateralhub.com/job/146-0003/. $215,000-$415,000. Looking for an attorney with 2- 4 years of relevant experience. The position duties largely entail handling the environmental transactional aspects of complex M&A, private equity, financing, capital markets, bankruptcy, and real estate matters.
Associate, Public Finance - Energy/Infrastructure. Orrick. New York, NY. https://lateralhub.com/job/116-0033/. Orrick’s Public Finance Group is seeking an associate with 2-5 years of experience to join its New York office. The expected salary range for this position is between $235,000 and $365,000. Must be a member of the Bar in a U.S. State and satisfy any requirements of the Orrick office’s jurisdiction.
Junior/Mid-Level Associate, Environmental Litigation. Shartsis Friese LLP. San Francisco, CA. https://lateralhub.com/job/121-0007/. No salary listed, seeking 3+ years of experience. The attorney will work on environmental litigation, administrative enforcement matters, and counseling regarding environmental permitting, due diligence, and compliance.
Associate, Project Finance - Energy/Infrastructure. Mintz. Multiple Locations, Boston and DC preferred. https://lateralhub.com/job/125-0046/. At least 4 years of project finance experience. The salary range for this position is $310,000 to $365,000. Admitted or eligible for admission in MA, DC, NY or CA.
In-House
Junior Legal Counsel. TIER Mobility. Warsaw, Poland. https://boards.greenhouse.io/tiermobility/jobs/5154409004. No salary listed; must be admitted as an attorney in at least one European jurisdiction and have 2 years relevant working experience post-qualification. TIER Mobility is Europe’s leading shared micro-mobility provider, sponsoring a range of shared, light electric vehicles, from e-scooters to e-bikes and e-mopeds.
Legal Counsel. EcoVadis. Remote (New York, USA). https://jobs.smartrecruiters.com/ecovadis/743999978603623-legal-counsel. $65,000 – $75,000. 1-2 years of post-graduate experience. EcoVadis analyzes data and creates sustainability scorecards that give companies actionable insights into their environmental, social, and ethical risks.
Associate Counsel to Counsel. Mainspring. San Francisco. https://www.mainspringenergy.com/roles/?category=all-roles&jobId=3afe03a3-2f1a-04a3-ab28-80a580eae2c5. 3+ years of transactional experience in a global law firm and/or in-house legal department, contract drafting, and negotiating contracts; The Bay Area salary for this role is $150k-$185k base + pre-IPO stock options + benefits.At Mainspring we believe the fastest path to the net-zero carbon grid is vastly increasing the amount of solar and wind power while building a supporting clean energy system that ensures affordability and multi-day, cross-season resilience.
Senior Counsel. PowerFlex. NY, NJ, CA, Remote. https://careers-powerflex.icims.com/jobs/4132/powerflex---senior-counsel/job. The ideal candidate for this role would be someone with renewable energy background, who is adept at EPC, O&M, Power Purchase or other energy-related agreements. Ideally mid to early-senior (in the range of 5-10 years), and either local to NY, NJ, CA or remote for the right candidate. The heart of the job is independently drafting and negotiating a variety of commercial agreements in our exciting on-site renewable energy business, reporting to me directly and interfacing closely with leadership. The pay range for this position is $148,000 - $247,000 annually. **We can introduce you to this company. Please reply if you would like more information or an introduction.
Senior Counsel for Environmental, Health, and Safety. Stepan. Northbrook, IL. https://jobs.stepan.com/job/Northbrook-Senior-Counsel-for-Environmental%2C-Health%2C-and-Safety-IL-60062/1152111800/. 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. Stepan is a global specialty and intermediate chemical manufacturer that has been serving a broad range of industries for over 90 years.
Project Finance Counsel. FERVO Energy. Houston, TX. https://fervoenergy.com/career/project-finance-counsel/?utm_source=Breakthrough+Energy+Ventures+job+board&utm_medium=getro.com&gh_src=Breakthrough+Energy+Ventures+job+board. No salary listed, looking for an attorney with 8+ years of experience. Fervo Energy delivers 24/7 carbon-free energy through the development of next-generation geothermal projects.
Corporate Counsel. Lilium. Bayern, Germany. https://climatebase.org/job/48768160/corporate-counsel?utm_source=jobs_directory&queryID=c858be31d2be27db81a000ad342dab05. No salary listed, looking for 3-6 years of relevant experience. Lilium GmbH is a German aerospace company that is the developer of the Lilium Jet, an electrically powered personal air vehicle.
Director, Legal Counsel - Products, Technology and Privacy. SunPower. Hybrid, Richmond, CA. https://jobs.lever.co/sunpower/2e7e9c1d-568a-4be9-960c-02db78bea7b7. 10+ years of experience at a leading law-firm (or government agency) and in-house legal department; $184,800 - $277,200 a year. SunPower is changing the way our world is powered every day with a passionate and driven team in North America and the Philippines.
General Counsel. Xcimer Energy. Denver. https://jobs.lever.co/xcimer/5b7b8b0c-e4fb-4dde-9359-39a0c2f110d0. 10+ years of legal experience with a mix of law firm and in-house experience; $175,000 - $250,000 a year. Xcimer Energy leverages decades of research on Inertial Fusion Energy (IFE) combined with groundbreaking new laser architecture.
Head of Business Legal Affairs. Every. California. https://boards.greenhouse.io/theeverycompany/jobs/5143191004. Minimum of 10 years of legal experience, with a strong preference for candidates who have at least 4 years (some years of experience to have seen enough to do the job well); Pay Range: $230,000 - $250,000 + Stock Options. EVERY™ is a leading VC-backed food tech ingredient company and market leader using precision fermentation to create animal proteins without the animal for the global food and beverage industry.
General Counsel. Nine Dot Energy. New York. https://nine.energy/about-us/work-with-us/apply?gh_jid=4368640005. 15+ years of relevant experience within a growing startup and/or corporate legal department including the support of corporate finance, project finance, project development, project operations, procurement, human resources, and commercial operations teams; $250,000 - $275,000 plus bonus and incentive stock options. As a leading community-scale, clean energy developer with a growing portfolio of projects across a range of technologies, NineDot Energy is creating innovative energy solutions that support a more resilient electric grid, deliver economic savings and reduce carbon emissions.
Government and Non-Profit
Associate Attorney, California. Earthjustice. Los Angeles, CA. https://www.conservationjobboard.com/search/cat=15&kw=attorney/1. $90,200 - $111,200. 0-1 years of post-grad experience. Earthjustice is seeking an Associate Attorney to conduct legal advocacy, including litigation and administrative advocacy, with the California Regional Office.
Senior Sustainability Enforcement Attorney. DEPARTMENT OF BUILDINGS. NYC-ALL BOROS. https://cityjobs.nyc.gov/job/senior-sustainability-enforcement-attorney-in-nyc-all-boros-jid-22265.One year of satisfactory United States legal experience subsequent to admission to any state bar; or Six months of satisfactory service as an Agency Attorney Interne (30086); $87,003.00 – $100,053.00. DOB has an essential role in implementing and enforcing New York City’s ground-breaking climate policies, including Local Law 97, which significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions from the city’s largest buildings.
Associate Attorney. Center for Applied Environmental Law and Policy. Remote. https://www.conservationjobboard.com/search/cat=15&kw=attorney/1. $75,000 - $90,000. 0-3 years of relevant experience. The Center for Applied Environmental Law and Policy (CAELP) is seeking an attorney to support their work advancing strong climate and public health regulations. *This is a two-year position being filled on a rolling basis.
Special Assistant People’s Counsel. The Maryland Office of People’s Counsel. Baltimore, MD. https://opc.maryland.gov/Our-Office/Join-Our-Team. $112,403 – $160,000. 3+ years of experience. The Office of People's Counsel (“OPC”) is an independent Maryland State agency that advocates for Maryland’s residential utility consumers to ensure that utility service is reliable, safe, reasonably priced, and supportive of the State’s environmental and climate goals.
Corporate Counsel – Energy and Finance. The Energy Authority. Florida. https://workforcenow.adp.com/mascsr/default/mdf/recruitment/recruitment.html?cid=09dede8a-c0c9-4db8-a7e5-418d9ef9deb1&jobId=467732. 3 to 9 years of experience as a practicing attorney in a corporate in-house legal department, medium-to-large firm, or combination of both. The Energy Authority is a public power-owned, nonprofit corporation with offices in Jacksonville, Florida, and Bellevue (Seattle), Washington.
SPECIAL ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL/ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY UNIT. State of Rhode Island. Providence, RI. https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/rhodeisland/jobs/4281812/special-assistant-attorney-general-environment-and-energy-unit?pagetype=jobOpportunitiesJobs. At least 5 years of litigation experience is preferred but not mandatory; 8732 ($82,323 - $93,320). 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.
Staff Attorney – Policy Analyst. Save The Bay. Providence, RI. https://greenjobs.greenjobsearch.org/jobs/staff-attorney-policy-analyst/. No salary listed, looking for a candidate with 5+ years of experience. Save The Bay watches over the government and citizenry for proposals or activities that will degrade the environmental quality of the Bay, basin, and watershed, and we champion policies and legislation that maintain strong protections for our natural resources.
Managing Attorney, International Program. Multiple Locations. https://jobs.jobvite.com/careers/earthjustice/job/oWMFsfwz. Salary range in San Francisco or New York City: $225,900 - $251,000; Salary range in Washington, D.C.: $214,700 - $238,500. 10+ years of experience. Earthjustice seeks a Managing Attorney or Managing Director to lead its International Program, which works across borders to use U.S., non-U.S., and international law to protect the global environment.