Senior Environmental Associate

Houston, TX, Austin, TX, San Antonio, TX, Dallas, TX, Chicago, IL, Denver, CO, Los Angeles, CA, New York, NY or San Francisco, CA

Summary

Our client is a global law firm with a powerful strategic focus and real momentum. Their industry-focused strategy is seeking to take on pioneering work in places that others have yet to reach. Their shared values define our culture and their workplace. You will find them to be unusually collegial, team-oriented, and ready to innovate. They work seamlessly across practices, offices and around the world. This elimination of boundaries has allowed them to evolve into a law firm that works as hard for its culture as it does for its clients.

Our client is seeking an experienced environmental lawyer with at least 8 years of practice experience to join their Environmental & Mass Tort team. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in environmental, energy, and natural resources law, with substantial experience advising clients on complex, high-profile, and high-value matters involving infrastructure, renewable energy, and power development projects. This role plays a critical part in supporting project finance and M&A transactions, including work with developers, sponsors, and lenders. While the position is open to any U.S. office, California and Texas experience is preferred.

This is an excellent opportunity for a lawyer who thrives at the intersection of law, policy, finance, and innovation-including emerging areas such as carbon markets and energy transition projects.

Key Requirements

Candidates should have at least 8 years of experience with U.S. federal and state environmental regulatory programs and demonstrated expertise in the following areas:

• Project and Facility Permitting: Proficiency in securing environmental permits, including those related to air, water, wetlands, underground injection control (UIC), and offshore facilities. Experience with utility-scale renewable energy and power projects is highly valued.
• Environmental Review Processes: Deep understanding of NEPA and CEQA, with experience managing environmental reviews, coordinating with consultants and regulatory agencies, and supporting project development timelines.
• Contaminated Site Management: Familiarity with site assessment and remediation under CERCLA, RCRA, and relevant state waste management and remediation programs, particularly as it relates to real estate and project development risk.
• Transactional Due Diligence & Environmental Risk Allocation: Significant experience supporting project finance and M&A transactions, including conducting diligence, drafting and negotiating environmental terms in financing and purchase agreements, and advising on environmental representations, warranties, indemnities, and compliance covenants.
• Lender and Sponsor Coordination: Ability to work seamlessly with project finance counsel, developers, and lenders on environmental issues that impact bankability, including permitting status, compliance assessments, and risk mitigation strategies.

Additional Qualifications

• Experience reviewing and analyzing third-party environmental reports (e.g., Phase I/II ESAs, biological assessments, wetlands delineations, cultural resource surveys).
• Familiarity with title and survey review as it relates to environmental conditions, use restrictions, and institutional lender requirements.
• Knowledge of land use law, the Endangered Species Act (ESA), habitat conservation planning, and state Public Utilities Commission processes.
• Experience with carbon markets, carbon capture and storage (CCS), and broader energy transition technologies.
• Exposure to cross-border energy or infrastructure projects and international environmental compliance frameworks is a plus.

​Top 5 Reasons to Join the law firm

They’re committed to your professional and personal growth. Here’s what sets them apart:

 Well-Being & Inclusion

Thrive in a workplace that values a people-first culture, work-life balance, and overall well-being. Enjoy:

• Carrot Fertility: Inclusive family-forming benefits for all full-time employees.
• Vacation Award: Earn a $2,500 vacation stipend after meeting billable thresholds.
• Wellness Perks: Free Peloton app membership, Lyra mental health support (8 free therapy or coaching sessions), and Spot Pet Insurance for your furry companions.​​

Growth & Career Development

Advance your career with hands-on experience, sector-specific expertise, and leadership opportunities.

• Business Development Support: Reimbursement for relationship-building activities.
• Executive Coaching: Eligible lawyers with 250+ BD hours receive firm-sponsored coaching.

Global Reach, Local Impact

Work on cross-border deals, international clients, and high-profile projects while making a difference in your local community.

• Pro Bono & Volunteer Time: All non-partner lawyers receive 8 hours of firm time per year for community service.

Collaborative Culture, World-Class Talent

Join a team that fosters mentorship, innovation, and professional excellence.

• Referral Bonus: Earn $50,000 for referring top-tier legal talent who join the firm.

​Commitment to Innovation

Stay at the forefront of the legal industry with cutting-edge technology and innovative solutions that enhance your practice and drive success.

Compensation
Employees are entitled to compensation commensurate with skill and experience. The full time base annual salary for this position in the Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, New York City and San Francisco market is expected to range between $250,000.00-$450,000.00, plus bonus. This range represents the firm’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting for a position in Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, New York City and San Francisco. Salaries in other markets will vary depending on market data. Bonus opportunities are non-guaranteed and are dependent upon individual and firm performance.

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