Week of 4/22 - Earth Day! (And showing your climate expertise)

Welcome to the planetary lawyer project, a newsletter for lawyers that want to do more for the planet. 

In honor of Earth Day, I want to share one of my favorite tips for getting climate-friendly clients.

Show yourself to be a climate expert…

Now you can’t CALL yourself an expert without running afoul of lawyer advertising rules in many states.

But you still want to be seen as having deep climate insight, right? 

In his book “The 4-Hour Work Week,” Tim Ferris proposes a 5-step process for becoming an expert that he claims can be completed in only 4 weeks.

I like Tim’s process, and he’s certainly a lot more famous and influential than I am.

And his process is more about being SEEN as an expert than actually BECOMING an expert…

But once you develop your climate knowledge and skills, there is NOTHING wrong with enhancing public perception of your skills and knowledge as long as you focus on developing your skills as well.

Here’s my version of Tim’s process:

• Join two or three trade organizations.  When first starting my journey, I joined the US Composting Council, the Solid Waste Association of North America, and other organizations focused on composting and waste management.  (I also helped to form the NJ Composting Council, because New Jersey did not have a local composting industry group.)  But the key is joining committees or otherwise being visible within the organizations. I’m active on legislative affairs committees in all of these organizations, but sometimes those committees are jammed with lawyers so consider the programming or membership committees if that’s the case.

• Set up a google alert for key topics and then connect with journalists that write on these topics.  Initially, you’ll be benefiting by staying informed and expanding your network, but over time the journalists will turn to you for quotes and background.  Using your google alert (or your own experiences and ideas), you should also be posting regularly on social media.  I’ll go into more detail another time on journalist relationships, but this is a great way to get your name out there in authoritative ways.

• Write articles for targeted publications.  Most accept unsolicited submissions if you know where to look, and I’ve had the opportunity to write about composting and waste management for Waste360, BioCycle, and many others on composting and organics recycling issues. And if you don’t feel qualified to write about a specific topic, team up with someone more experienced, even a non-lawyer. It’s a great way to get to know that person better, and it will expand the reach and value of your article

• Give presentations to trade organizations or universities.  Again, trade organizations often have open calls for presentations.  That’s how I have spoken at national and regional waste management conferences before I had any clients in those industries.  I also find that college professors love having professionals talk to their students, but that can be harder to come by.  The key here is being willing to put yourself out there.

• Keep track of all your efforts and summarize them in your attorney bio.  This is where you get to show the world that you’re an expert.  You HAVE to get maximum value from the other steps. Plus, 83% of in-house counsel ranked lawyer bios as important when researching outside lawyers and law firms.  So if you want clients to think you’re an expert, this is where to show it.

At one point, this is how I summarized my activities in my bio:

Matthew has experience with issues relating to renewable and solar energy projects, environmental compliance and sustainability plans, waste management and recycling, environmental justice, greenhouse gas emissions limits, environmental advertising, and more.  He also writes and speaks regularly on topics relating to sustainability, including through Waste Dive, Waste360, Rutgers University, the Montclair State University Institute for Sustainability Studies, and Fordham University School of Law, and provides pro bono legal support to important environmental causes.

It reflects all the work I’ve done with composting and more, and it will probably change tomorrow as I continue my efforts. 

Oh and I’ve had new clients comment on the strength of my bio, so I know it works.

What does your summary look like?  What do you want it to look like?  What are you waiting for?

Now onto this weeks opportunities!

DO GOOD

Pro bono projects are excellent opportunities for you to learn new skills and meet new people, all while doing more for the planet.  

We don’t have any pro bono opportunities to share this week, but check out this resource to find (and develop) your own green pro bono opportunities!

Know a pro bono project that needs assistance?  Submit it here.

DO WELL

Job opportunities with planet-aligned employers allow you to get paid to do more for the planet.  From certified B corporations to NGOs to companies with real impact, there are lots of ways to work for the planet.  

Have a lead on a job opening?  Share it here.

ICRRL Fellow (Postdoc Research Scholar). The Sabin Center for Climate Change Law. New York. https://apply.interfolio.com/105449. 1 - 3 years of professional legal experience with a government agency (including through a clerkship), NGO, law firm, corporation, or law school center.  The Sabin Center develops legal techniques to fight climate change, trains students and lawyers in their use, and provides up-to-date resources on key topics in climate change law and regulation.

Open-Rank: Postdoctoral Research Scholar/Associate Research Scholar. The Sabin Center for Climate Change Law. New York. https://apply.interfolio.com/105453. 1 - 3 years of professional legal experience with a government agency (including through a clerkship), NGO, law firm, corporation, or law school center. The Sabin Center develops legal techniques to fight climate change, trains students and lawyers in their use, and provides up-to-date resources on key topics in climate change law and regulation.

Legal Operations Specialist. Grove Collaborative. San Francisco. https://jobs.lever.co/grove/f79931a2-4bd2-4684-90bd-a2c7c83967c6. At least 3 years of relevant, progressively complex experience. Grove Collaborative creates innovative natural products and offers a curated selection of healthy home essentials like cleaning supplies and personal care products.

Associate Corporate Counsel. Bird. Remote. https://www.bird.co/careers/?gh_jid=5054122003. An experienced attorney with 3-5 years of transactional experience, and superior drafting and negotiating skills. Bird is on a mission to bring environmentally-friendly transportation to everyone.

Environmental Sustainability  & Real Estate Attorney. Southwest Airlines. Dallas, Texas.https://careers.southwestair.com/job/38946/Environmental-Sustainability-Real-Estate-Attorney.  4 years of experience with a mid-sized to a major law firm and/or in-house legal department as a practicing attorney with a focus on environmental matters. Southwest will provide a stable work environment with equal opportunities for learning and personal growth.

Senior Legal Counsel. Lancium.  The Woodlands, TX. https://boards.greenhouse.io/lancium/jobs/4009677005. 3-7 years of relevant legal experience at a reputable law firm or in-house legal department. Lancium is a technology company creating software and technical solutions that enable the faster growth of renewable energy.

Open-Rank: Postdoctoral Research Scholar/Associate Research Scholar. The Sabin Center for Climate Change Law. New York. https://apply.interfolio.com/105451. 2-8 years of professional legal experience with a government agency, NGO, law firm, corporation, or law school center. The Sabin Center develops legal techniques to fight climate change, trains students and lawyers in their use, and provides up-to-date resources on key topics in climate change law and regulation.

ICRRL Fellow (Associate Research Scholar). The Sabin Center for Climate Change Law. New York.https://apply.interfolio.com/105447. 3-8 years of professional legal experience with a government agency, NGO, law firm, corporation, or law school center. The Sabin Center develops legal techniques to fight climate change, trains students and lawyers in their use, and provides up-to-date resources on key topics in climate change law and regulation.

Deputy General Counsel. Rubicon Global. Telecommute. https://recruiting.ultipro.com/RUB1004RUGH/JobBoard/b65b7a3c-d3fb-4185-85d4-ac59fac2f527/OpportunityDetail?opportunityId=c95b462b-acf6-42af-98f2-5ab03f0ca62c. 6-10 years of experience at a law firm and/or company with a focus on securities and compliance matters. Rubicon is a digital marketplace for waste and recycling, and a provider of innovative software-based solutions to businesses and governments worldwide.

Senior Corporate Counsel, Employment. Farmer`s Business Network, Inc. Telecommute. https://boards.greenhouse.io/farmersbusinessnetwork/jobs/3907483. 7+ years of labor and employment law experience, including a combination of law firm and in-house; or equivalent combination of education and experience & 3+ years in a leadership role (direct or indirect), with the potential to manage. Farmers Business Network®  (FBN®) is on a mission to power the prosperity of family farmers and rural communities around the world, transforming how the world farms with an integrated, technology-enabled agricultural platform.

Compliance Counsel. NIO. San Jose, California. https://jobs.lever.co/nio/efb87e22-7736-4672-af0f-bec67a66147a. 7+ years of relevant legal experience, a combination of law firm and in-house preferred. NIO Inc. is a pioneer in China’s premium smart electric vehicle market. Founded in November 2014, NIO’s mission is to shape a joyful lifestyle.

Director of Legal. Digital Green. Telecommute. https://digitalgreen.applytojob.com/apply/B86Jk76G3P. 7-10 years of progressively responsible legal experience, preferably in-house with an international nonprofit organization or corporation, or an international law firm. Digital Green is a global development organization that empowers smallholder farmers to lift themselves out of poverty by harnessing the collective power of technology and grassroots-level partnerships.

Managing Counsel, Privacy. Cruise. San Francisco. https://www.getcruise.com/careers/jobs/3819005/?search=counsel. Senior-level attorney with 8+ years experience in well-regarded law firm and/or in-house legal department. Cruise is building the world's most advanced self-driving electric vehicles to safely connect people with the places, things, and experiences.

Product Counsel. Planet. Remote. https://climatebase.org/job/63889/product-counsel?source=jobs_directory  8+ years of experience - in-house experience required; product counsel experience required; some law firm experience preferred. Planet designs build and operate the largest constellation of imaging satellites in history.

Associate General Counsel. Sensata Technologies. Attleboro, Massachusetts. https://sensata.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/es/Sensata-Careers/jobs/details/Associate-General-Counsel---M-A_IRC84638?q=counsel. A university degree required (i.e. Bachelors degree) with at least 7 or more years of experience, or equivalent relevant work experience of at least 12 or more years. Sensata Technologies is a global industrial technology company striving to create a cleaner, more efficient, electrified, and connected world.

Associate General Counsel Supply Chain Transactions. Sensata Technologies. Attleboro, Massachusetts.  https://sensata.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/es/Sensata-Careers/jobs/details/Associate-General-Counsel--Supply-Chain-Transactions_IRC86356?q=counsel. Licensed attorney with a minimum of 10-12 years in-house technology transactions experience, including the procurement of hardware, software, and services for a global technology manufacturing business. Sensata Technologies is a global industrial technology company striving to create a cleaner, more efficient, electrified, and connected world.

Associate General Counsel Transactions. Sensata Technologies. Attleboro, Massachusetts.https://sensata.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/es/Sensata-Careers/jobs/details/Associate-General-Counsel--Transactions_IRC86326?q=counsel.Licensed attorney with a minimum of 10-12 years in-house technology transactions experience, including hardware, software, and service contracts. Sensata Technologies is a global industrial technology company striving to create a cleaner, more efficient, electrified, and connected world.

Senior Counsel, Consumer Products - Inclusion & Sustainability. Mastercard. New York, New York. https://mastercard.jobs/purchase-ny/senior-counsel-consumer-products-inclusion-sustainability/1323AD216C2D4E799FDC00CD680C0B43/job/. Must be licensed to practice in New York, or be willing to register in New York as in-house counsel. Experience working on complex legal transactions at a reputable law firm, or as an in-house counsel for a multinational company, preferably in the financial services, banking, or technology sector.

Assistant Corporation Counsel - Environmental Law. NYC Law Department.  https://a127-jobs.nyc.gov/psc/nycjobs/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM_FL.HRS_CG_SEARCH_FL.GBL?Page=HRS_APP_SCHJOB_FL&Action=U. Applicants must be graduates of ABA approved law schools and either admitted to practice law in the State of New York or be in the process of becoming admitted to the New York State Bar. Applicants must have a demonstrated interest in environmental and land use law.

DO IT TOGETHER

We all will go further together, whether that means collaborating on passion projects, pro bono opportunities, or referring a potential client to our network of planetary lawyers. 

Collaboration opportunity! I’m looking for someone who would like to collaborate on an article about environmental regulation of bitcoin mining. If you’re interested, reply and we’ll find a time to chat.

Sign up for our referral network here.

Make a referral to our network!

That’s all for this week. See you next time!