Hi! I’m Matthew Karmel, chair of the Environmental and Sustainability Law Group at Offit Kurman, P.A. and founder of the planetary lawyer project.
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 with a thriving book of climate-related clients.
Now, I want to help you build your own climate-friendly legal career through bi-weekly newsletter sharing job opportunities, career advice, and interviews with lawyers working on climate.
Any views expressed are my own. Nothing here is legal advice
You need to prepare yourself.
. . .
While there are many people who will understand your passion for the planet, there are some who will not.
And some of the people who judge your efforts may be in positions of authority…
“But is this a paying client?”
A well meaning mentor once asked me whether a new climate-focused client was a “paying client” or just another of my “pro bono projects."
Now, in fairness, I do a good bit of pro bono work, but the client in question was a large private equity fund with ambitious climate goals.
This was a paying client.
I’ve also been pejoratively called the “trash lawyer” by some lawyers.
Again, I am heavily involved in the waste and recycling industry, but they did not understand why or what I do.
They just knew that I was different, and I was on LinkedIn talking about compost and food waste A LOT.
It can be hard to be misunderstood.
But, over the years, I have realized a few things about this dynamic…
I like being misunderstood.
It lets me know that I’m doing something unique and exciting. You know who likes that I’m a “trash lawyer”? All the clients who want an industry insider representing them
It pushes me to succeed.
It also is the reason why I started this newsletter.
I know that there is a community of like-minded lawyers, and I am writing to you, no matter where you are or what you do currently.
I am telling you, and myself, that we are not alone; that we can do this together!
I’ve gotten several requests recently to nurture this community beyond the newsletter, so we’re doing an experiment.
We’re hosting a virtual meetup later this month where I’ll talk for a little bit about my pro bono experience and the 4 ways I use pro bono to accelerate my career and impact, and then we’re going to talk to each other. We’ll exchange stories, about pro bono or just trying to do more climate-friendly work.
Because we understand.
So join us on February 21st at 12:30 PM ET. Click here to register!
Insights and Sponsors
Look no further for insights on all things climate, as well as resources from our sponsors!
50K NYC buildings need climate law compliance reviews; 11 DOB staffers have to do it
Across America, clean energy plants are being banned faster than they're being built
Now onto this week’s opportunities.
Have a lead on a job opening? Share it here.
Attorney Advisor. The District of Columbia Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE). Washington, D.C. https://careers.dc.gov/psc/erecruit/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM_FL.HRS_CG_SEARCH_FL.GBL?Page=HRS_APP_JBPST_FL&Action=U. $91,673 - $119,195. 1+ years of experience needed. The Attorney Advisor provides legal advice and assistance to Department management and staff on the implementation, administration, and enforcement of District and federal environmental and energy laws, regulations, and programs.
Assistant Counsel, NS-M1. New York State Department of Public Service. Albany, NY. https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/3820767964/?refId=dtdmIva7Rs2Z%2BGkFoxD7xw%3D%3D&trackingId=dtdmIva7Rs2Z%2BGkFoxD7xw%3D%3D. $88,283 - $111,592. 2+ years of experience, and admission to the New York State Bar. The Assistant Counsel, NS-M1, in the Office of General Counsel (OGC), is an entry-level position under the direct supervision of the General Counsel and would be related to providing legal research and analysis for the benefit of each member of the Public Service Commission (Commission).
Associate Corporate Counsel - Agricultural Regulatory & Compliance. JBS.Greeley, CO, Greeley. https://jobs.jbsfoodsgroup.com/us/en/job/53568/ASSOCIATE-CORPORATE-COUNSEL-AGRICULTURAL-REGULATORY-COMPLIANCE. Minimum 2-5 years of administrative/regulatory law or other applicable legal experience. 1-2 years compliance and regulatory experience preferred.Base salary range of $90,000 - $120,000. Pilgrim’s is the second largest chicken producer in the world, with operations in the U.S., Puerto Rico, Mexico and the U.K.
Assistant General Counsel (ID: 24038). World Wildlife Fund (WWF). Washington, D.C.. https://careers-wwfus.icims.com/jobs/3579/assistant-general-counsel---24038/job. No salary listed, looking for an attorney with 3+ years of experience. The attorney will provide a full range of in-house legal services to WWF-US, with emphases in non-profit legal matters, data privacy, contracts and grants, corporate governance, charitable giving, litigation, technology, employment, intellectual property, and other relevant areas.
Public Interest Environmental Attorney. Environmental Law & Policy Center. Columbus, OH. https://environmentallawpolicycenter.applytojob.com/apply/rWnb86IlkO/Public-Interest-Environmental-Attorney?source=Our%20Career%20Page%20Widget. Minimum 3-5 years experience in public interest litigation and advocacy, additional experience a plus. SALARY: $93,000 to $105,700. The Environmental Law & Policy Center is the Midwest’s leading environmental legal advocacy organization. We drive transformational policy changes with national impacts.
Counsel (DSP). EDF Renewables Distributed Solutions, Inc. Columbia, MD. https://careers-edf-re.icims.com/jobs/4008/counsel-%28dsp%29/job. No salary listed, seeking an attorney with 4+ years of experience. The counsel will work closely with the head of the legal department of EDF Renewables Distributed Solutions, Inc. (DS or the Company) to support the legal needs of the Company and specifically, the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) team.
Intellectual Property Attorney. Commonwealth Fusion Systems (CFS). Devens, MA. https://jobs.lever.co/cfsenergy/c997e707-4460-4a42-ab22-1e3530f0f6d0. 5+ years practicing IP law, including foreign and domestic patent preparation and prosecution. CFS has the fastest, lowest cost path to commercial fusion energy.
Staff or Senior Attorney. Chapel Hill, NC (preferred, but other locations available). https://www.southernenvironment.org/career/staff-or-senior-attorney-environmental-justice/. $103,283 (minimum salary). 5+ years of experience. The attorney will work to help develop new cases, advise, or add strategic litigation capacity on behalf of grassroots organizations, communities, and established non-profits that seek to rectify environmental injustices.
Corporate Counsel, ESG Reporting and Sustainability, AWS Sustainability and ESG Reporting. Amazon Web Services (AWS). Arlington, VA. https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/3812056562/. No salary listed, seeking 5+ years of experience. The attorney’s responsibilities will include providing advice to AWS business partners to meet regulatory and customer requirements for sustainability and ESG reporting.
Associate Director, State Climate Policy. The Center for American Progress. Hybrid (on-site two days per week, Washington, D.C., office). https://www.americanprogress.org/job/associate-director-state-climate-policy/. $77,000 (minimum salary). 6+ years of experience. The Associate Director will work to advance state and local climate action throughout the country and will lead American Progress’ State-Federal Climate Initiative (SFCI) as part of the Energy and Environment Department’s Domestic Climate team.
Head of Agriculture. The [Chancery Lane] Project. United Kingdom. https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/3814803010/. GBP 60,000 - 80,000. 6+ years of experience. The [Chancery Lane] Project is a UK-based network of sustainable environmental lawyers; they are seeking an attorney to be the ‘directing mind’ for the forestry, land and agriculture strategy, and sector team. *We can introduce you to this employer! Reply if you would like us to connect you.
Assistant General Counsel. OhmConnect. Remote (US - West Coast). https://apply.workable.com/ohmconnect/j/044A2CD400/. $215,000 - $240,000. 6+ years of experience, with 3+ years in climate-focused work. OhmConnect is seeking an experienced lawyer to provide sound, practical and actionable legal advice on commercial agreements, strategic partnerships and other transactions.
General Counsel. Electriq Power. West Palm Beach, FL. https://electriqpower.com/company/. 5-7 years of legal experience, including in-house experience in a responsible generalist position (a combination of in-house and external counsel experience preferred). We passionately believe in distributed energy storage solutions to shape our world’s environmental and economic future that are prudent, panoramic, and serve all demographics with parity.
Head of Legal. Heritage-Crystal Clean. Hoffman Estates, IL. https://www.crystal-clean.com/careers/. At least 8 years of professional experience is required, including 3 years of experience as a legal professional.For more than 20 years, Heritage-Crystal Clean has led the environmental services industry as the smart alternative.
Sr Corporate Counsel (Operations). Republic Services. Phoenix. https://jobs.republicservices.com/us/en/job/R-112691/Sr-Corporate-Counsel-Operations. Minimum of 8 years of experience performing the types of legal work listed above (preferred). Republic Services is a leader in Environmental Services, partnering with customers to create a more sustainable world.
Vice President, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary. Bolthouse Fresh Foods.Bakersfield, California. https://careers.mlaglobal.com/us/en/job/185429/Vice-President-General-Counsel-Corporate-Secretary. The successful candidate will have at least 10+ years' legal experience, ideally from a mix of law firm and in-house positions. The range will be $350k to $392k depending on experience.Bolthouse Fresh Foods is headquartered in the California Central Valley community of Bakersfield and is one of the largest growers and distributors of fresh carrots in the U.S. for cooking and snacking.
Head of Legal. Water.org. US Remote. https://water.org/careers/head-of-legal/. 10years or more of legal experience in U.S. corporate and/or contract law. This position offers a base salary range of $165k-$200k. We are Water.org. We’re here to bring water and sanitation to the world.
Public Interest Litigation Sr. Attorney- Natural Resources. Environmental Law & Policy Center. Chicago, IL. https://environmentallawpolicycenter.applytojob.com/apply/Ur2fGdsQTH/Public-Interest-Litigation-Sr-Attorney-Natural-Resources?source=Our%20Career%20Page%20Widget. 11+ years of litigation experience, with significant environmental and natural resources legal and policy issue expertise. $145,000 - $172,000. The Environmental Law & Policy Center (ELPC) is the Midwest’s leading environmental legal advocacy and policy innovation organization.
Legal Counsel - International Contracts & Corporate Affairs. PUR. Paris, France. https://pur.recruitee.com/o/legal-counsel2024. No salary listed. 8 - 12 years of relevant experience, graduation from French Law School at least equivalent to a Master II in International Business Law. The attorney will report to the Legal Director and play an active role in strengthening the Group International Legal affairs especially for Europe, Africa and Asia regions with the objective to support a strong growth while securing and minimizing the legal risk of operations.