Senior Environmental Lawyer

Job Overview
A leading international law firm is currently seeking a Senior Environmental Attorney with substantial experience in environmental, energy, and natural resources law. The role focuses on providing legal guidance on permitting, compliance, environmental due diligence, and regulatory risk mitigation for complex, high-profile infrastructure and renewable energy projects. The position is also central to supporting project finance and M&A transactions, with clients including sponsors, developers, and institutional lenders. Ideal candidates will have at least eight years of experience and demonstrate a strategic, cross-disciplinary approach to legal challenges in evolving sectors such as carbon markets and energy transition.

Location

• Chicago, IL

Duties

• Provide counsel on U.S. federal and state environmental regulations.

• Lead permitting processes for projects involving air, water, wetlands, underground injection control (UIC), and offshore infrastructure.

• Manage environmental review procedures under NEPA, CEQA, and similar state frameworks.

• Guide environmental due diligence in project finance and M&A transactions, including risk allocation strategies.

• Draft and negotiate environmental provisions in financing and purchase agreements.

• Collaborate with lenders, project finance counsel, developers, and sponsors to address compliance and bankability concerns.

• Review third-party environmental reports (e.g., Phase I/II ESAs, biological assessments, wetlands delineations, cultural resource surveys).

• Evaluate title and survey documentation for environmental use restrictions and institutional lender compliance.

• Advise on land use regulations, Endangered Species Act (ESA) compliance, habitat conservation planning, and state public utility proceedings.

• Offer legal guidance related to carbon capture and storage (CCS), carbon markets, and broader energy transition technologies.

• Support international and cross-border environmental compliance matters.

Requirements

• Minimum of 8 years’ experience practicing environmental law.

• Demonstrated expertise in regulatory permitting and environmental compliance.

• Significant involvement in utility-scale renewable energy, infrastructure, or power development projects.

• Experience supporting legal aspects of project finance and M&A transactions.

• Ability to coordinate across legal, technical, and financial teams on complex projects.

Education

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

Certifications

• Active license to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.

Skills

• In-depth knowledge of NEPA, CEQA, CERCLA, RCRA, UIC, ESA, and other environmental regulatory programs.

• Strong contract drafting and negotiation skills, particularly in environmental risk allocation.

• Proficiency in reviewing and interpreting technical environmental reports and legal documents.

• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage timelines across multi-stakeholder environments.

• Familiarity with emerging legal issues related to carbon policy, CCS, and international energy projects.

• Excellent communication and client advisory abilities.

Benefits

• Inclusive fertility and family-forming benefits via Carrot Fertility.

• $2,500 vacation award upon meeting billable hour thresholds.

• Comprehensive wellness benefits, including:

  • Free Peloton app membership

  • Lyra Health (8 therapy/coaching sessions per year)

  • Spot Pet Insurance

• Reimbursement for approved business development activities.

• Executive coaching support for attorneys with 250+ BD hours.

• 8 hours of paid pro bono or volunteer service annually for non-partner attorneys.

• $50,000 referral bonus for successful lateral attorney hires.

• Comprehensive benefits package including:

  • Choice of three medical plans

  • Dental and vision insurance

  • Life and disability coverage

  • Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)

  • 401(k) retirement plan with profit-sharing opportunities

• Competitive paid leave structure:

  • Minimum of 20 PTO days per year (based on role and tenure)

  • 14 weeks of paid parental leave

  • 11 paid holidays annually