Week of 12/31 - Overcoming impostor syndrome to share something new
I'm coming down with a MAJOR case of impostor syndrome as I write this because I'm about to share something new with you…
I've written a lot about building a climate-friendly legal practice, but in 2023 I'm going to try and show you in real time.
When I did my 2023 business planning, I identified a new climate-friendly industry that I can serve. I’m going to try and do more work for this industry in 2023, and I’m going to share my experience with you as I go, reporting my successes and failures.
My hope is that I'll be able to make my advice come alive for you and empower you wherever you are in your journey.
However, my fear is that I'll fail or lose your trust and interest. What if I don't bring in a single client in this new area. What if I come across as pedantic or blustering? What if I come across as silly or inexperienced?
I guess those are just risks I'll have to take.
So what am I going to do in 2023?
I'm going to work to expand my support of compostable and sustainable packaging companies.
Why does this niche have value to me? As you might expect, this industry is rather large and is expected to grow significantly over the next ten years. That makes this a good time to "get in on the ground floor." Plus, I firmly believe that aspects of consumerism are here to stay and we need better packaging to keep up with our climate goals.
Why do I have value to this niche? I think I have a unique perspective on this industry as I sit at the intersection of the waste and recycling industry, and especially the composting industry, and environmental law. I understand both the legal framework and what's happening on the ground. I'm also well connected and recognized in the composting industry. But I'll need to translate that reputation into authority in the packaging industry.
What can I do for the niche? I can advise on environmental advertising, regulatory compliance, and policy trends, and I can bring in colleagues that can help with more traditional packaging issues such as intellectual property, commercial contracting, or business disputes. I know that these are things the industry needs because I've asked some of my contacts in the industry: "What do you need from lawyers?"
How can I break into this niche? I'm still working on this but I have some good leads. If you’ve read my other issues, you know that I do a lot of LinkedIn marketing, I also write and present frequently, but my secret weapons are industry-focused pro bono work and industry groups. I have contacts in the industry from my work on composting as well as some targeted (but mostly casual) LinkedIn networking, so I’ll keep up on that front. I also just wrote an article on the topic and will likely write more when the mood strikes. I have a really exciting opportunity to join an industry podcast early in January, which will introduce me to a new audience, and I'm also exploring how I can get involved with a relevant industry group, to get exposure to their membership as well. I have not been able to think of a good pro bono project relating to the industry, but if anyone has any ideas I’m totally open. One of the trends that I’ll try and ride over the next year is that the FTC is updating the Green Guides, which are relevant to the industry and this only happens once every 10 years. There will be lots of opportunities to write and speak about the Green Guides. So, as you can see, I’m not starting from scratch, and I’m approaching this from a bunch of different angles.
How much work do I hope to get from this niche in 2023? I’m a little reluctant to put this into numbers, both because I’m scared of setting an unreachable goal and limiting my upside. For context, in 2022 I did about $10,000 worth of work for one very happy client (my success) and missed out on a few other projects for different reasons (my failures, although some of these failures may still turn into successes, that’s just how it goes). If I had to pick a number, I would like to provide $50,000 worth of service to this industry in 2023; that means bringing in between 5-8 clients. But at the same time, there are a lot of other factors that would make me consider this experiment to be a success, including establishing a strong industry presence with a steady pipeline of future work, or just making some more meaningful contacts at packaging companies.
I'll write about this experiment again in March 2023, stay tuned…
Have questions or suggestions? Want to let me know your target for 2023? Just hit reply. I would love to hear from you.
Now onto this weeks opportunities.
Have a lead on a job opening? Share it here.
Attorney/Staff Counsel. Department of Food & Agriculture, State of California. CA. https://www.calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Jobs/JobPosting.aspx?JobControlId=329780. $6979.00 - $9209.00. The California Department of Food and Agriculture Legal Office advises and represents the Department on a wide range of issues; supports the development and implementation of the Department’s programs by providing legal services to the Secretary, Executive Office, nine Divisions, and the 52 District Agricultural Associations (DAAs); and directs the State Attorney General in representing the Department and DAAs in litigation matters.
Communications and Policy Manager. Antora Energy. CA. https://boards.greenhouse.io/antora/jobs/4760204004. 2+ years of experience in relevant fields (e.g., communications, public policy, management consulting). Salary Range: $80,000 USD - $120,000 USD. Antora Energy turns sunshine and wind into zero-carbon 24/7 heat and power, cheaper than fossil fuels, accelerating the world’s pathway to decarbonize industry and electricity.
Real Estate Counsel. AES. Two Locations. Salt Lake City, UT-Louisville, CO. https://aes.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/AES_US/jobs/details/Counsel_R1050460-1?q=counsel. At least 2 years of real estate transactional or title experience, preferably at a law firm, sophisticated in-house legal department, or title company. At AES, we raise the quality of life around the world by changing the way energy works.
Renewable Energy Counsel. AES. Two Locations. US, Salt Lake City, UT- US, Louisville, CO. https://aes.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/AES_US/jobs/details/Renewable-Energy-Counsel_R1050461-1?q=renewable%20energy%20counsel. Two to three years of transactional or litigation experience at a major law firm. At AES, we raise the quality of life around the world by changing the way energy works.
Associate Attorney, Community Partnerships. EarthJustice. NY. https://earthjustice.org/about/jobs/42774/associate-attorney-community-partnerships-program-nyc. Law school graduate with 1-5 years of legal experience. Salary range in New York City: $97,500 - $121,000. Earthjustice is the premier nonprofit environmental law organization.
Associate Attorney, Community Partnerships. EarthJustice. Los Angeles. https://earthjustice.org/about/jobs/42771/associate-attorney-community-partnerships-program. Law school graduate with 2-5 years of legal experience and admitted to, or willing to apply for admission to, the regionally appropriate Bar. Salary range in Los Angeles, CA: $97,200 – $115,000. Earthjustice is the premier nonprofit environmental law organization.
Fossil Fuel Policy Advocate. NRDC. US-NY-New York | US-DC-Washington. https://careers-nrdc.icims.com/jobs/5066/fossil-fuels-policy-advocate/job. At least 5 years of relevant professional experience in effectively developing, managing, and sustaining advocacy campaigns.or this position, the salary is $96,000 to $120,000. NRDC is a non-profit environmental advocacy organization.
Policy Advocate Midwest Regional. EarthJustice. Michigan. https://earthjustice.org/about/jobs/42821/policy-advocate-midwest-regional. At least 5 years’ demonstrated experience working with legislative service, lobbying, and/or government relations. Salary Range for Michigan: $103,400 - $114,900. The Midwest Regional Office partners with tribal communities and other impacted communities to fight for clean air, drinking water, and soil.
Assistant General Counsel (Construction). Blue Ridge Power. North Carolina/Remote. https://boards.greenhouse.io/blueridgepower/jobs/5457571003. At least 5 years’ experience. Blue Ridge Power is a clean infrastructure construction company for projects across the United States. Blue Ridge Power currently oversees more than 1 GW of operational assets and has 1.3 GW under construction, with 4.8 GW in the pipeline for construction in 2022 - 24.
Counsel - Real Estate. Illinois. https://acciona.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/ACCIONA_Employment_Channel/job/Illinois/Counsel--Real-Estate_20042127. 5+ years of corporate legal experience. Fluency in Spanish a strong plus. ACCIONA Energa is the biggest 100% renewable energy company with no fossil legacy in the world. With more than 30 years of experience and operations in 20 countries on five continents, ACCIONA Energa offers a wide portfolio of tailored energy solutions so that its corporate and institutional clients can meet their decarbonisation goals.
Senior Counsel - Climate, Environmental, Sustainability and Regulatory. OXY. Texas-Houston. https://oxy.taleo.net/careersection/2/jobdetail.ftl?job=00029684&tz=GMT-06%3A00&tzname=America%2FCosta_Rica. Minimum 6 years of legal experience. Occidental (NYSE: OXY) is an international energy company.
Associate General Counsel, Corporate Securities. AES. US, Dayton, OH. https://aes.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/AES_US/jobs/details/Associate-General-Counsel--Corporate-Securities_R1050806?q=counsel. 6 to 10 years of relevant experience at a large law firm or comparable in-house corporate environment with a sophisticated corporate practice.At AES, we raise the quality of life around the world by changing the way energy works.
Senior Legal Counse. Novelis. Atlanta, GA/Hybrid. https://careers-novelis.icims.com/jobs/41600/senior-legal-counsel. 10-15 years of experience. Novelis is the world leader in aluminum rolling and recycling.
Lead Counsel - Climate & Sustainability. Pfizer. Flexible Location. https://pfizer.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/InternalJobs/job/United-States---New-York---New-York-City/Climate---Sustainability-Lead-Counsel_4874889. 15+ years of legal practice in environmental and sustainability matters. The annual base salary for this position ranges from $191,800.00 to $319,700.00
Hi! I’m Matthew. I’m an environmental lawyer at a full-service AMLaw 200 law firm, and the founder of the planetary lawyer project.
Reach out by email or LinkedIn if you’re interested in any of the following:
Sharing a job tip
Sponsoring the newsletter
Mentoring/coaching
Collaborating on anything
Referring a legal matter
Any views expressed are my own. Nothing here is legal advice.