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Environmental Lawyer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

K2 Ascend

Environmental Attorney

Detroit, MI · Hybrid

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Environmental Attorney Location: Detroit, Troy, Ann Arbor, Lansing, or Grand Rapids Compensation: Flexible depending on experience, practice focus, and portable book of business Type: Full-Time, ...

Trueseek

Environmental Attorney

Newark, NJ

$150K - $200K/yr

The firm is expanding and seeking an experienced Environmental Attorney to join a growing team handling sophisticated environmental remediation transactional and litigation matters. This role is ...

Direct Counsel

Sr. Environmental Attorney

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$315K - $435K/yr

Sr. Environmental Attorney Location : California Offices (Century City, Downtown LA, Orange County, San Diego, San Francisco) Practice Area : Environmental and Natural Resources Direct Counsel is ...

Trueseek

Environmental Attorney

Morristown, NJ

$150K - $200K/yr

The firm is expanding and seeking an experienced Environmental Law Associate Attorney to join a growing team handling sophisticated environmental regulatory and litigation matters. This role is ideal ...

Direct Counsel

Sr. Environmental Attorney

San Diego, CA · On-site

$315K - $435K/yr

Sr. Environmental Attorney Location : California Offices (Century City, Downtown LA, Orange County, San Diego, San Francisco) Practice Area : Environmental and Natural Resources Direct Counsel is ...

Direct Counsel

Sr. Environmental Attorney

Orange, CA

$315K - $435K/yr

Sr. Environmental Attorney Location : California Offices (Century City, Downtown LA, Orange County, San Diego, San Francisco) Practice Area : Environmental and Natural Resources Direct Counsel is ...

Aionios LLC

Environmental Attorney

Torrance, CA · On-site

$145K - $200K/yr

Environmental & Toxic Tort Attorney Location: Los Angeles, CA Experience: 2-7 Years Our client, a nationally recognized Am Law 100 law firm, is seeking Environmental & Toxic Tort Attorneys to join ...

redShift Recruiting

Environmental Attorney

Albany, NY · Hybrid

$160K/yr

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Senior Environmental & Commercial Real Estate Attorney Locations: Multiple offices throughout New York State (Hybrid Work Options Available) Salary: Starting at $160,000+ (commensurate with ...

redShift

Environmental Attorney

Albany, NY · Hybrid

$160K/yr

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Senior Environmental & Commercial Real Estate Attorney Locations: Multiple offices throughout New York State (Hybrid Work Options Available) Salary: Starting at $160,000+ (commensurate with ...

redShift

Environmental Attorney

Albany, NY · On-site

$160K/yr

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Senior Environmental & Commercial Real Estate Attorney Locations: Multiple offices throughout New York State (Hybrid Work Options Available) Salary: Starting at $160,000+ (commensurate with ...

Direct Counsel

Environmental Associate Attorney

Parsippany, NJ · Hybrid

$180K - $200K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Environmental Associate Attorney Direct Counsel is seeking an Environmental Associate Attorney to join a highly regarded national law firm in Parsippany, NJ . This is an excellent opportunity for an ...

Nursing and Midwifery Council

$77K - $101K/yr

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

About the team and what we do The NMC's largest team of lawyers and paralegals prides itself on its collegiate and supportive environment. Lawyers are supported by a head and senior lawyers who ...

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Environmental Lawyer information

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$63.5K

$132.4K

$231.5K

How much do environmental lawyer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for environmental lawyer in the United States is $132,377.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $94,000.00 and $157,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an environmental lawyer do?

Environmental lawyers work in private law firms, government organizations, and public interest groups. In this career, your primary responsibilities are to make a positive impact on the environment and hold those who do not follow regulations accountable for their actions. You handle issues regarding species protections, hazardous waste disposal, agricultural pollution, and sustainable strategies. Your duties include drafting laws that protect the land, water, and air, enforcing compliance with these laws, ensuring policies support clean energy, combating global warming at the legal level, and completing all of the related paperwork. As an environmental lawyer, you often work long hours and handle multiple cases at once.

What are some common challenges faced by environmental lawyers in their day-to-day work?

Environmental Lawyers often navigate complex regulations that can vary significantly between jurisdictions, making it essential to stay current with evolving laws. They frequently work with multidisciplinary teams, including scientists and government officials, to build strong cases or compliance strategies. Balancing the interests of clients with environmental protection goals can be challenging, especially when legal and ethical considerations intersect. Additionally, Environmental Lawyers may face tight deadlines and high-stakes litigation, requiring effective time management and strong advocacy skills.

What is the difference between Environmental Lawyer vs Environmental Consultant?

AspectEnvironmental LawyerEnvironmental Consultant
Required CredentialsJuris Doctor (JD), State Bar AdmissionBachelor's or Master's in Environmental Science, Engineering, or related field
Work EnvironmentLaw firms, government agencies, corporate legal departmentsConsulting firms, government agencies, private companies
Industry UsageLegal advice, litigation, regulatory complianceEnvironmental assessments, policy advising, compliance consulting

Environmental Lawyers focus on legal matters, representing clients in court and advising on regulations, while Environmental Consultants provide technical advice, conduct assessments, and help organizations meet environmental standards. Both roles require specialized knowledge but serve different functions within the environmental industry.

How hard is it to become an environmental lawyer?

Becoming an environmental lawyer typically requires earning a bachelor's degree, followed by a Juris Doctor (JD) degree from a law school, and passing the state bar exam. It involves gaining knowledge of environmental laws, policies, and regulations, often through internships or clerkships, and can take around seven years of post-secondary education and training.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an environmental lawyer?

To thrive as an Environmental Lawyer, you need a Juris Doctor (JD) degree, bar admission, and expertise in environmental law and regulatory frameworks. Familiarity with legal research databases (such as Westlaw or LexisNexis), compliance software, and relevant certifications like the Environmental Law Certificate are commonly required. Strong analytical thinking, negotiation, and written and verbal communication skills help set professionals apart in this field. These competencies are vital for effectively advocating for clients, navigating complex regulations, and ensuring environmental protection through legal channels.

What does an environmental lawyer do?

An environmental lawyer specializes in legal issues related to the environment. They work on cases involving pollution, natural resources, land use, and the enforcement of environmental laws and regulations. Their clients can include individuals, businesses, nonprofit organizations, or government agencies. Environmental lawyers may represent clients in court, draft legislation and regulations, or provide advice on compliance with environmental laws.

Are environmental lawyers in demand?

Environmental lawyers are in demand due to increasing environmental regulations and sustainability initiatives. They often work for government agencies, law firms, or corporations, requiring strong legal and environmental knowledge, as well as relevant certifications. Job growth in this field is expected to be steady as environmental issues become more prominent globally.
More about Environmental Lawyer jobs
What cities are hiring for Environmental Lawyer jobs? Cities with the most Environmental Lawyer job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Environmental Lawyer jobs? The most popular types of Environmental Lawyer jobs are:
What states have the most Environmental Lawyer jobs? States with the most job openings for Environmental Lawyer jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Environmental Lawyer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Environmental Lawyer jobs are:
Environmental Lawyer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Environmental Lawyer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 85% Full Time, 11% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 95% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $132,377 per year, or $63.6 per hour.

Environmental Attorney

K2 Ascend

Detroit, MI • Hybrid

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 6 days ago

Job description

Environmental Attorney


Location: Detroit, Troy, Ann Arbor, Lansing, or Grand Rapids

Compensation: Flexible depending on experience, practice focus, and portable book of business

Type: Full-Time, Hybrid


About the Opportunity


A highly respected and growth-oriented law firm is seeking an Environmental Attorney to join its expanding environmental and land use practice in Michigan. This is a high-priority, succession-planning opportunity offering long-term growth potential for an attorney interested in building a lasting practice within a collaborative and entrepreneurial environment.


The firm is open to experienced attorneys coming from private practice, government, or in-house environmental counsel backgrounds. The ideal candidate will bring strong technical environmental law experience and the ability to advise clients on complex compliance, permitting, remediation, enforcement, and transactional matters. While a portable book of business is welcomed, the firm places a stronger emphasis on substantive environmental expertise, client service, and long-term fit.


This role offers the opportunity to work with sophisticated public and private sector clients across a broad range of environmental matters, including regulatory compliance, land use, energy and industrial development, hazardous waste, permitting, environmental litigation support, and transactional risk management. Attorneys are given meaningful responsibility, direct client interaction, and strong support for continued professional growth and business development.


The firm offers strong hybrid flexibility, a collaborative culture, and a platform designed for attorneys looking to grow their practice over the long term.


What You’ll Do


• Advise clients on environmental compliance, permitting, remediation, and enforcement matters

• Counsel clients on federal and state environmental regulatory requirements

• Draft and review legal memoranda, motions, briefs, discovery responses, contracts, and regulatory agreements

• Handle environmental aspects of business transactions, development projects, and asset transfers

• Assist clients with minimizing environmental liability risks tied to operations, acquisitions, and redevelopment projects

• Represent clients in administrative proceedings, litigation matters, and regulatory negotiations

• Conduct legal research related to environmental, administrative, and land use law

• Work closely with clients across industries including manufacturing, energy, waste management, and industrial development

• Participate in client development initiatives and relationship management efforts

• Collaborate with attorneys across multiple offices and practice groups


What You Bring


• 6–10+ years of environmental law experience preferred

• Strong knowledge of CERCLA, RCRA, CWA, CAA, TSCA, FIFRA, and Michigan NREPA regulations

• Experience advising on environmental compliance, permitting, remediation, or enforcement matters

• Background handling environmental aspects of transactions, development projects, or industrial operations preferred

• Experience with environmental litigation, administrative proceedings, or regulatory negotiations is a plus

• Strong legal writing, analytical, and communication skills

• Ability to manage matters independently while working collaboratively with clients and colleagues

• Michigan Bar admission or eligibility for admission by start date

• Portable business development experience is valued but not required

• In-house environmental counsel experience is strongly considered


What’s Offered


• Unlimited PTO for Attorneys

• 401(k) with 3% employer contribution

• Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage

• Paid Parking

• Professional Dues

• Associate Attorney Student Loan Repayment Program

• Wellness Programs

• Hybrid flexibility

• Strong collaborative culture

• Long-term growth opportunities