Week of 5/20 - Pro bono for world domination

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

We have our first pro bono opportunities for you! Check them out below.

But first…

Are you using pro bono as a tool for world domination….

Or at least to make a real difference on your career?  

No?

You should be asking these 4 questions when evaluating any pro bono opportunity.

1. Will you get experience you need to expand your practice? This could be in an area of law or a specific skillset.

1. Can you work closely with regulators, politicians, potential clients, or others that can advance your career? It is still about who you know…

1. Will people want to hear about the project? Publicity is important, for causes and your future, and awards are nice too.

1. Will you be making a real difference?  Go big or go home, right?

I don't mean to disparage every day pro bono work, but you can have more impact on the planet and your life if you pick your projects using these questions.  

Take one of my projects as an example. I've been working for years to revise regulations limiting composting in New Jersey.  I can't even begin to describe how meaningful the work has been or everything I've gained professionally. 

I’ll try of course though..

I've sharpened my knowledge of composting regulations and learned tons of new skills, I'm on a first name basis with regulators and local politicians, I've won several awards because of these efforts thereby getting myself and the cause real publicity, I've earned the trust of new clients easily, all because I'm also making a real difference…

So start thinking about how you can use pro bono for maximum impact.  

I'm also currently looking for my next big project… but that's a story for another time. 

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.  

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

We have two pro bono projects for you this week!

A cleantech startup needs pro bono assistance with intellectual property protections.

A community-directed climate investment group needs assistance with formation and governance.

Just reply if you’re interested and I’ll supply some more information.

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.

Legal Intern.  Sila Nanotechnologies. California. https://www.silanano.com/careers/job-application/4227687. Current law school student or new graduate (2022). Sila Nanotechnologies is an electronics company that offers new battery materials chemistry.

Staff Attorney. AppHarvest. Lexington, KY. https://www.appharvest.com/careers/?gh_jid=5121091003. 2+ years in a corporate in-house counsel role. AppHarvest is redefining American agriculture by developing modern, large-scale controlled environment agriculture facilities in Central Appalachia.

Renewable Energy Attorney. EnergeiaWorks. Denver. https://energeiaworks.catsone.com/careers/7303-General/jobs/14678884-Renewable-Energy-Attorney?title%5B0%5D=attor. 2 - 3 years experience. As Renewable Energy Attorney you will join our client's forward-focused legal group to assist in contract review for EPC, O&M, and Development contracts within Wind and Solar.

IP Litigation Legal Counsel. NIO. California. https://jobs.lever.co/nio/be5e8527-2319-442e-8c8b-97c82cf82543.  3 - year patent/IP professional experience, experience in overseas IP litigation, or NPE negotiation/litigation is 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.

Permitting/Real Estate Counsel. 8minute Solar Energy. Remote. https://www.8minute.com/careers/?gh_jid=6013585002. 4 years minimum of experience in greenfield or other energy-related development required. 8minute Solar Energy (8minute) is championing the clean energy transition in the United States and shaping the future of energy through its next generation of smart solar power plants.

Attorney, Climate Clean Air, and Equity. Environmental Defense Fund. Remote - US, Boulder, Washington, D.C. https://www.edf.org/jobs/attorney-climate-clean-air-and-equity. At least 4+ years of professional experience in the practice area and a history of achieving policy reforms through litigation, administrative advocacy, and legislative efforts. Environmental Defense Fund, e delivers game-changing solutions that cut climate pollution and strengthen people’s ability to thrive despite the effects climate change is already having.

Corporate Legal Specialist. AMP Robotics. Louisville. https://www.amprobotics.com/careers-open-positions?gh_jid=5121682003. Minimum of five years of relevant experience supporting legal and/or compliance professionals in a law firm or corporate legal department setting, preferably both. AMP Robotics is a pioneer and industry leader in artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, and infrastructure for the waste and recycling industry.

Intellectual Property Attorney. Arc Institue, Palo Alto. https://boards.greenhouse.io/arcinstitute/jobs/4404337004. 5 or more years of patent law experience in the pharmaceutical/biotechnology field, or an equivalent combination of patent and pharmaceutical/biotechnology industry experience. The Arc Institute is a new scientific institution that conducts curiosity-driven basic science and technology development to understand and treat complex human diseases.

Senior Counsel (Corporate, Securities, Business Transactions) - Remote Opportunity. First Solar, Inc. https://fa-esbv-saasfaprod1.fa.ocs.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_1/job/1011413/?utm_medium=jobshare.  Five or more years at a law firm or recognized in-house legal department. First Solar: A leading global provider of comprehensive PV solar solutions which use its advanced module and system technology.

Senior Counsel, Regulatory and Compliance. Cruise. San Francisco, CA. https://www.getcruise.com/careers/jobs/4219595/?search=counsel. An experienced attorney with 8+ years doing regulatory and/or compliance work in a top law firm and/or in-house legal department. Cruise is building the world’s most advanced, self-driving vehicles to safely connect people to places, things, and experiences.

Climate Policy Advisor. Aspen Institute-Aspen Digital. https://aspeninstitute.hrmdirect.com/employment/view.php?req=1968784&jtsrcid=25393. 7+ years of professional experience - 2+ years of professional experience or the equivalent working in climate policy, climate tech, greentech, clean energy, or related field. The Aspen Institute is a global nonprofit organization committed to realizing a free, just, and equitable society.

Senior Counsel. (Corporate Equity). Generate Capital. San Francisco. https://generatecapital.com/career-opportunitites/senior-counsel-corporate-equity/. 10+ years at a law firm and/or in-house experience representing investors making corporate equity investments in privately held sponsors, developers, or IPPs developing and operating sustainable energy assets. Generate invests in sustainable solutions spanning the infrastructure technology set, including solar, fuel cell, CHP, microgrid, smart cities, and mobility sectors.

General Counsel. Arc Institue. Palo Alto. https://boards.greenhouse.io/arcinstitute/jobs/4349088004. 15+ years of academic / healthcare/life sciences in-house and/or reputable law firm experience with expertise in healthcare regulatory, general corporate, nonprofit, transactional, research and development, intellectual property, employment, general commercial, and compliance issues. The Arc Institute is a new scientific institution that conducts curiosity-driven basic science and technology development to understand and treat complex human diseases.

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. 

Sign up for our referral network here.

Make a referral to our network! 

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