Environment, Land Use Associate

Job Overview

A highly regarded law firm is seeking a mid-level to senior Associate Attorney to join its Government, Land Use, Environment, and Energy (GLUEE) Department in the San Francisco office. The role involves advising clients on complex legal matters related to land development and environmental regulation. This includes CEQA/NEPA compliance, permitting, administrative hearings, litigation, and more. Ideal candidates will have a solid foundation in environmental or land use law and a passion for helping clients navigate regulatory landscapes.

Location

• San Francisco, CA

Duties

• Advise clients on land use and environmental law issues related to real estate and natural resource development

• Handle regulatory, administrative, and transactional matters involving CEQA, NEPA, public lands, air and water quality, and energy

• Represent clients in land use litigation, including writ of mandate proceedings

• Support real estate transactions with environmental and land use due diligence and risk assessment

• Draft legal documents, briefs, and memoranda for administrative agencies and courts

• Collaborate with attorneys across departments to deliver integrated client solutions

Requirements

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in environmental or land use law

• Familiarity with CEQA and NEPA regulatory frameworks

• Strong understanding of public lands and natural resource permitting

• Previous experience in land use litigation (preferred)

• Exposure to real estate transactions (preferred)

• Ability to manage complex, high-stakes legal matters independently or as part of a team

Education

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited U.S. law school

Certifications

• Admission to the State Bar of California (required)

Skills

• Advanced legal research and analytical capabilities

• Excellent drafting and verbal communication skills

• Ability to work collaboratively in a team-oriented environment

• Strong organizational and time management abilities

• Detail-oriented with the ability to manage multiple deadlines effectively

Benefits

• Discretionary bonuses based on billable hour thresholds and business origination

• Opportunity to work on high-impact matters within a nationally recognized practice

The San Francisco office of this innovative firmone of the fastest growing law firms in the Western United Stateshas a broad-based practice that cuts across all areas of commercial and business law. In particular, the firm boasts an impressive litigation practice, and corporate, tax & estate planning, and labor & employment are very solid. Although the firms attorneys tend to socialize more than at most firms, insiders assure us the work can be pretty intense. Salaries are very competitive, and minimum billable hours requirements are relatively very reasonable.