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Environmental Lawyer Jobs in Reston, VA (NOW HIRING)

Pop-Up Talent

Lawyer

Washington, DC · On-site

$475/hr

While environmental law is at our core, we also offer a range of practice areas to meet the ... Lawyers operate under operating agreement; day-to-day decisions made by Firm's Founder and Chair ...

YO AI Labs

Lawyer - Remote

Washington, DC · Remote

$140 - $350/hr

Lawyer Job Type: Contractor Location: Remote - United States Job Overview We are seeking ... Ability to work independently and collaborate effectively in a remote environment. Preferred ...

Robert Half

Attorney/Lawyer

Reston, VA · On-site

$60 - $75/hr

... Lawyer to support a non-profit organization in Reston, Virginia through a Contract engagement. This ... environment. Apply today! By sending an updated resume to Fana Belcher at [fana.belcher][at ...

New

Norton Rose Fulbright

Compliance Lawyer

Washington, DC · On-site +1

With more than 3,000 lawyers and 3,000 business services professionals working together across 50 ... environment. * Sufficient maturity and judgment to work successfully and confidently with all ...

Wsgr

Practice Support Lawyer, M&A

Washington, DC · On-site +1

The firm has approximately 1,100 attorneys in 17 offices: 13 in the U.S., two in China, and two in ... house environment * Strong substantive knowledge of M&A transactions, deal structures, and ...

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All JobsEnvironmental Lawyer JobsEnvironmental Lawyer Jobs in Reston, VA

Environmental Lawyer information

See Reston, VA salary details

$66.1K

$137.7K

$240.8K

How much do environmental lawyer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 24, 2026, the average yearly pay for environmental lawyer in Reston, VA is $137,719.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $97,800.00 and $163,300.00 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 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.

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 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.

Are environmental lawyers in demand?

Environmental lawyers are in demand due to increasing environmental regulations, climate change concerns, and the need for legal expertise in sustainability and compliance. Job growth in this field is expected to be steady, especially for those with specialized knowledge in environmental policy, regulations, and litigation.
More about Environmental Lawyer jobs

What are the most commonly searched types of Environmental Lawyer jobs in Reston, VA?

The most popular types of Environmental Lawyer jobs in Reston, VA are:

What are popular job titles related to Environmental Lawyer jobs in Reston, VA?

For Environmental Lawyer jobs in Reston, VA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Environmental Lawyer jobs in Reston, VA look for?

The top searched job categories for Environmental Lawyer jobs in Reston, VA are:

What cities near Reston, VA are hiring for Environmental Lawyer jobs?

Cities near Reston, VA with the most Environmental Lawyer job openings:

Environmental Lawyer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Environmental Lawyer job openings in Reston, VA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 84% Full Time, 12% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 94% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $137,719 per year, or $66.2 per hour.

Environmental & Land Use Senior Associate Attorney

Direct Counsel

Washington, DC

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 29 days ago

Job description

Environmental & Land Use Senior Associate Attorney

Direct Counsel is seeking an Environmental & Land Use Senior Associate Attorney to join a highly regarded Am Law 100 firm in Washington, D.C.

This is an outstanding opportunity for an attorney with 5–7 years of environmental law experience to join a nationally recognized Environmental & Land Use practice. The role focuses on complex environmental regulatory counseling, compliance, and enforcement matters involving federal environmental statutes and regulations.

Key Responsibilities

  • Advise clients on environmental regulatory compliance and enforcement matters.

  • Counsel clients regarding obligations under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA).

  • Represent clients in environmental investigations, regulatory proceedings, and enforcement actions.

  • Advise on hazardous, solid, medical, pharmaceutical, and controlled substance waste management issues.

  • Conduct legal research, prepare regulatory analyses, and draft memoranda, agency submissions, and other legal documents.

  • Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to provide strategic environmental compliance and risk management advice.

Qualifications

  • J.D. from an accredited law school with excellent academic credentials.

  • Active Bar membership in good standing.

  • 5–7 years of experience in environmental law with a focus on regulatory compliance and enforcement.

  • Significant experience advising clients on CERCLA and RCRA matters.

  • Experience with hazardous, solid, medical, pharmaceutical, or controlled substance waste issues is preferred.

  • Strong analytical, drafting, research, and client counseling skills.

  • Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication abilities.

Compensation & Benefits

  • Competitive compensation commensurate with experience.

  • Performance-based bonus opportunities.

  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance.

  • 401(k) retirement savings plan.

  • Generous paid time off and firm holidays.

  • Professional development, mentorship, leadership opportunities, and partnership-track career advancement.

Why Apply?

This position offers the opportunity to work alongside nationally recognized environmental attorneys on sophisticated regulatory counseling, compliance, and enforcement matters affecting clients across a broad range of industries. Senior associates receive meaningful client responsibility, exposure to complex environmental issues, and exceptional opportunities for long-term professional growth within one of the nation's premier environmental law practices.