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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Environmental Attorney

💰 $150,000 - $250,000+

LegalEnvironmentalComplianceAttorneyLaw

🎯 Role Definition

Are you a passionate legal expert with a deep understanding of environmental law? We are actively searching for a talented and motivated Environmental Attorney to join our dynamic team. In this pivotal role, you will act as a strategic advisor, guiding clients through the complexities of environmental regulations, representing them in high-stakes litigation, and facilitating transactions with an eye for environmental risk. You will be at the forefront of challenging legal issues, from contaminated site remediation to emerging ESG standards. This is an exceptional opportunity for a legal professional to make a significant impact, protect client interests, and contribute to a practice dedicated to excellence in environmental law.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Junior Associate Attorney
  • Law Clerk (Environmental or Litigation)
  • Regulatory Compliance Specialist

Advancement To:

  • Senior Counsel / Senior Attorney
  • Partner (in a law firm setting)
  • General Counsel or Director of Environmental Compliance (in-house)

Lateral Moves:

  • In-House Counsel
  • Government Attorney (EPA, DOJ)
  • Environmental Policy Advisor or Lobbyist

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Advise a diverse portfolio of clients on compliance with federal, state, and local environmental laws and regulations, including the Clean Air Act (CAA), Clean Water Act (CWA), RCRA, CERCLA, and TSCA.
  • Represent clients in all phases of complex environmental litigation, administrative proceedings, and enforcement actions before federal/state courts and regulatory agencies like the EPA.
  • Conduct comprehensive environmental due diligence for corporate and real estate transactions, including mergers, acquisitions, and property sales, to identify, analyze, and quantify potential liabilities and risks.
  • Negotiate and draft sophisticated legal documents, including settlement agreements, consent decrees, access agreements, and environmental provisions within transactional contracts.
  • Provide strategic counsel on contaminated site remediation and brownfield redevelopment projects, guiding clients from the initial site investigation and risk assessment through regulatory closure.
  • Assist clients in obtaining, maintaining, and ensuring compliance with a wide range of environmental permits for air emissions, water discharges, and hazardous waste management.
  • Manage all facets of the litigation lifecycle, including fact investigation, discovery, motion practice, depositions, expert witness preparation, and representation at trial or administrative hearings.
  • Analyze and interpret complex technical and scientific data, hydrogeological reports, and environmental models to build robust legal arguments and advise clients effectively.
  • Counsel clients on emerging and evolving environmental issues, such as climate change regulation, ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) reporting standards, and corporate sustainability initiatives.
  • Serve as the primary liaison with federal and state environmental regulators on behalf of clients to negotiate permit terms, resolve compliance challenges, and respond to formal information requests.
  • Defend clients against toxic tort claims, citizen suits, and class action lawsuits related to alleged exposure to hazardous substances or environmental contamination.
  • Develop, audit, and implement corporate environmental compliance programs and management systems (EMS) to proactively minimize risk and ensure regulatory adherence.
  • Provide essential legal support for environmental impact assessments and reviews under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and state-level equivalents for major infrastructure and development projects.
  • Draft and file persuasive, high-quality legal briefs, motions, pleadings, and other court documents with a high degree of precision.
  • Advise on complex land use, zoning, and natural resource matters that intersect with environmental regulations and conservation laws.
  • Effectively manage outside consultants, including technical experts and environmental engineers, to build a cohesive team that supports litigation and compliance objectives.
  • Maintain up-to-date knowledge of developments in environmental law, regulations, and judicial precedent, and proactively inform clients of potential impacts on their business operations.
  • Participate in administrative rulemaking proceedings by preparing and submitting public comments on proposed environmental regulations on behalf of clients or industry associations.
  • Prosecute and defend cost recovery and contribution actions under CERCLA and state statutes to fairly allocate liability for cleanup costs among potentially responsible parties.
  • Provide critical legal oversight during crisis management and emergency response situations involving chemical spills, environmental releases, or industrial accidents.
  • Counsel clients on legal issues related to water rights, water quality standards, and natural resource damages (NRD) claims.

Secondary Functions

  • Mentor and provide guidance to junior associates and paralegals within the practice group.
  • Contribute to business development activities, including client pitches, networking events, and responding to RFPs.
  • Author articles, client alerts, and white papers on emerging environmental law topics for publication.
  • Participate in and present at legal and industry conferences to enhance firm visibility and personal expertise.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Deep substantive knowledge of major federal and state environmental statutes (CERCLA, RCRA, CWA, CAA).
  • Proven experience in environmental litigation, including discovery, motion practice, and trial preparation.
  • Expertise in conducting environmental due diligence for complex M&A and real estate transactions.
  • Superior legal research and writing skills, with proficiency in Westlaw, LexisNexis, and other legal research tools.
  • Experience in negotiating with regulatory agencies such as the EPA and state environmental departments.
  • Ability to draft and interpret complex contractual language, particularly environmental indemnities and representations.

Soft Skills

  • Exceptional analytical and strategic problem-solving abilities.
  • Outstanding verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to explain complex legal concepts to non-lawyers.
  • Strong negotiation, advocacy, and persuasion skills.
  • Excellent client relationship management and interpersonal skills.
  • High degree of professional ethics, integrity, and sound judgment.
  • Ability to work collaboratively in a team-oriented environment while also managing matters independently.
  • Strong project management skills, with the capacity to handle a large volume of concurrent matters and meet deadlines.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an ABA-accredited law school.
  • Active license to practice law and in good standing with at least one U.S. State Bar.

Preferred Education:

  • LL.M. in Environmental Law or Natural Resources Law.
  • Undergraduate or graduate degree in an environmental science, geology, or engineering field.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Law
  • Environmental Science
  • Public Policy

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 3-10 years of focused experience in environmental law.

Preferred:

  • Experience in the environmental practice group of a national law firm (Am Law 100/200).
  • Prior in-house experience at a company in the energy, manufacturing, chemical, or real estate development sector.
  • Experience serving as a clerk for a judge or an attorney for a relevant government agency (e.g., EPA, DOJ's Environmental and Natural Resources Division).
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