Week of 9/2 - 8 lessons from 8 years
After 8 years in my current position, I’m leaving for an exciting new role that will allow me to continue building a practice that focuses on saving the planet.
(And also writing this newsletter.)
I’ve learned so much from my colleagues and mentors.
That’s why I started this newsletter in the first place.
To share what I’ve learned so that we can grow together and do even more for the climate.
So I’m honoring my transition by sharing 8 tips, one for each year I’ve spent in my current role.
Take ownership. I often heard in annual reviews that I “take ownership” of the matters I’m working on. I didn’t realize there was any other way to work, but I now see that some people wait for permission to act. Instead, act as if you are in charge, make plans, consider carefully, and take ownership of your matters, your career and your life. Sure you still need to obey hierarchical structures but you can take ownership at any level, and taking ownership will lead to more opportunity to shoulder responsibility.
Be yourself. It is common advice that young lawyers should strive to be forgettable. Kinda like that old advice about children being seen and not heard? But this is a new era. We can use our uniqueness to connect with our clients and colleagues. We can have a voice. How are you supposed to get clients if nobody remembers you or if you sound just like everyone else?
Be cautious but brave. Some lawyers believe that their only job is to avoid mistakes. They live in fear of doing or saying the wrong thing. I fear making mistakes, sure. But I’m not going to let that stop me from taking action. Look your fear right in the face, take precautions, and then leap anyway.
Don’t wait for an invitation. Unless your in a Disney movie or get really lucky, nobody is going to give you an invitation to…write an article, speak at a conference, go after that client, take on that pro bono matter, or anything else you might want to do. You’ll have supporters, but, although I’m not religious, I do believe the adage that god helps those who helps themselves. The same is true for partners (who also think they’re god sometimes).
Follow a compass, even if you don’t have a plan. I don’t have a business plan. I’ve tried to write one a dozen times. I just can’t. But I know where I want to go, and I take the opportunities that will get me there. This used to worry me endless, but now I see that it kept me open to adjusting and experimenting. The next right action will show itself if you are patient and present.
First impressions matter, but second ones do to. I can be off-putting sometimes. I can be direct and pushy and perhaps a little arrogant. I like to think of it as enthusiastic and intelligent… Over the years, I’ve met people and seen them recoil from my eagerness… but in most cases, as long as I’m willing to see things from their perspective, I’ve been able to overcome a “bad” first impression. Sometimes these people even later become close friends, who didn’t understand why they found me irritating at first…
Go your own way. You have a unique set of skills and interests. Sure, you could do what worked for the attorneys you work with, but that might not work for you. Finding your own path is critical, but you are allowed to borrow from others. Try their way. Try my way. Then try your way. See what works best. If you don’t like to speak, don’t book yourself into presentations. Write articles instead. But find what you truly love and make it part of your practice. You’ll know it’s your way when it feels like you were born to do it.
Go where your clients are. Go to industry groups. Go to business conferences. Go anywhere you want, but if there are more competitors than clients you might be in the wrong place. I have gone to events where I was outnumbered by other more senior lawyers, and i have gone to events where I was the only lawyer. Guess which was better for my practice?
Now onto this weeks opportunities.
Have a lead on a job opening? Share it here.
Associate Attorney. Environmental Law & Policy Center. Multiple States. https://environmentallawpolicycenter.applytojob.com/apply/KnJTBMUGxO/Associate-Attorney?source=Our%20Career%20Page%20Widget. $80,000 – $88,500. 0-3 years of experience. The Environmental Law & Policy Center is the Midwest’s leading environmental legal advocacy organization.
Staff Attorney. Our Children’s Trust. https://oct.bamboohr.com/jobs/view.php?id=49. Salary range: $61,755 - $75,407. 1-4 years of litigation experience in state, federal or tribal courts. Our Children’s Trust is a non-profit public interest law firm that provides strategic, campaign-based legal services to youth from diverse backgrounds to secure their legal rights to a safe climate.
Litigation Staff Attorney. Chesapeake Bay Foundation. Annapolis, MD. https://www.cbf.org/about-cbf/jobs-internships/jobs/litigation-staff-attorney.html. $65,000 - $92000, based on experience. Two to five years’ experience in litigation. The Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) is the largest regional nonprofit conservation organization dedicated to saving the Chesapeake Bay.
Policy and Advocacy Lead (Remote). May Mobility. https://maymobility.com/careers/. Minimum of 3 years of policy and advocacy experience. May Mobility is transforming cities through autonomous technology to create a safer, greener, more accessible world.
Illinois Government Affairs Representative. Environmental Law & Policy Center. Chicago or Springfield - Hybrid, IL. https://environmentallawpolicycenter.applytojob.com/apply/KA1t5po672/Illinois-Government-Affairs-Representative?source=Our%20Career%20Page%20Widget. 3+ years of professional workplace experience in government, public policy advocacy, or government affairs (background in issue advocacy preferred).The Environmental Law & Policy Center is the Midwest’s leading environmental legal advocacy organization.
Policy Associate. Capture 6. New York/Remote. https://capture6.breezy.hr/p/de089dd83e92-policy-associate. 3+ years of professional experience in climate and/or environmental policy. Capture6 develops and commercializes highly-scalable approaches to permanently removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere in a way that is easy to verify and audit.
Staff Attorney / Senior Staff Attorney. Utah Clean Energy. Salt Lake City. https://utah-clean-energy.hiringthing.com/job/457149/staff-attorney-senior-staff-attorney. 4+ years’ experience. Salary range for the Staff Attorney position is $70,000 to $85,000. Depending on the experience and qualifications of the candidate, this position may be filled at the Senior Staff Attorney level with a salary range of $85,000 - $105,000. Utah Clean Energy is a nonprofit advocacy organization based in Salt Lake City that serves Utah and the West.
Assistant General Counsel - Energy Regulatory, State. Constellation Energy Generation, LLC. Texas. https://jobs.constellationenergy.com/jobs/10219900-assistant-general-counsel-energy-regulatory-state. 5 to 8 years of professional experience in a specialized area of law. At Constellation, a freshly independent and soon-to-be Fortune 200 company, we're providing the energy and services to transform our future.
Clean Energy Attorney. Environmental Law & Policy Center. Chicago. https://environmentallawpolicycenter.applytojob.com/apply/UD5CBJkcQX/Clean-Energy-Attorney?source=Our%20Career%20Page%20Widget. 4+ years of relevant legal experience, 2+ years of administrative litigation. The Environmental Law & Policy Center is the Midwest’s leading environmental legal advocacy organization.
Federal Regulatory Affairs Manager (Attorney). WEACT For Environmental Justice. https://www.weact.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/WE-ACT-Federal-Regulatory-Affairs-Manager-Attorney-August-2022.pdf. Description says 7+ but open to 0-3 years as well. WEACT is a non profit, community-based advocacy organization that works to build healthy communities by ensuring that people of color and/or low income residents participate meaningfully in the creation of sound and fair environmental health and protection policies and practices. WE ACT is a nationally recognized leader in the environmental justice (EJ) movement. Reply and I can provide an introduction!
Clean Air & Water Policy Director (Attorney). WEACT For Environmental Justice. https://www.weact.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/WE-ACT-Policy-Director-Clean-Air-Water-Attorney-August-2022.pdf. Description says 7+ but open to 0-3 years as well. WEACT is a non profit, community-based advocacy organization that works to build healthy communities by ensuring that people of color and/or low income residents participate meaningfully in the creation of sound and fair environmental health and protection policies and practices. WE ACT is a nationally recognized leader in the environmental justice (EJ) movement. Reply and I can provide an introduction!
Sr. Litigation Attorney - Natural Resources. Environmental Law & Policy Center. Chicago. https://environmentallawpolicycenter.applytojob.com/apply/Ur2fGdsQTH/Sr-Litigation-Attorney-Natural-Resources?source=Our%20Career%20Page%20Widget. 10+ years of major litigation experience, preferably with a practice including environmental and natural resources legal and policy issues. The Environmental Law & Policy Center is the Midwest’s leading environmental legal advocacy organization.
That’s all for this week. See you next time!