how to become a lawyer for the epa

To practice as an Environmental Lawyer you will need to obtain a law degree commonly known as a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) or a Juris Doctor (JD). The JD is a postgraduate qualification, the bachelor is an undergraduate qualification.

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What is it like to be an EPA attorney?

Our attorneys work on cutting-edge legal issues, are given extraordinary responsibility early in their careers, and even at an early stage in their careers, are recognized as legal experts. EPA attorneys work in these EPA offices: the Office of General Counsel (OGC) at EPA headquarters in Washington, D.C.

What does it take to become an environmental lawyer?

The successful environmental lawyer should be able to communicate effectively both orally and in written documents. The ability to persuade others to a specific point of view helps to win court cases, but the attorney also must be able to prepare and consolidate an abundance of details into an effective case.

How do I get an EPA certification?

For a legitimate certification, you must take your exam with an EPA-approved certifying organization. On their site, the EPA provides a list of addresses and phone numbers for the headquarters of approved programs.

How to become a lawyer?

If you are sure you want to be a lawyer even in high school, you should choose a college or university that has a pre-law advisor and where you can choose a major that will prepare you for law school in the best way for you.

Is it hard to get a job with EPA?

While it does focus on the environment, don't expect getting a job at the EPA to be a walk in the park. The hiring process is often long, with multiple hoops and background checks to jump through. And because the EPA is a federal agency, any changes in government spending will affect hiring.

Is environmental law a good career?

They might also counsel municipalities, manufacturers or developers on how to minimize their environmental impact. Environmental law can be an excellent career, especially for those who have prior experience in a regulated industry, regulatory body or advocacy group.

How do you get into international environmental law?

You'll need a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) or a Juris Doctor (JD) to practice environmental law. While it's not technically a requirement to have an LLB to get into law school, and in some countries, an LLB will allow the practice of law, it helps to have an undergraduate background in law.

Why do I want to work for the EPA?

You'll receive outstanding benefits: EPA and other federal government agencies offer generous retirement and health benefits, life and long-term care insurance, flexible work schedules, competitive salaries and more. Learn more about the benefits of working at EPA.

Can you make a lot of money in environmental law?

The average Environmental Lawyer in the US makes $181,586. Environmental Lawyers make the most in San Francisco, CA at $270,894, averaging total compensation 49% greater than the US average.

What kind of lawyer makes the most money?

Some of the highest-paid lawyers are:Medical Lawyers – Average $138,431. Medical lawyers make one of the highest median wages in the legal field. ... Intellectual Property Attorneys – Average $128,913. ... Trial Attorneys – Average $97,158. ... Tax Attorneys – Average $101,204. ... Corporate Lawyers – $116,361.

Can you be an international environmental lawyer?

you must obtain a qualifying law degree or alternative degree followed by the Graduate Diploma in Law./li> you must successfully complete the Legal Practice Course and a Training Contract (or the Solicitors Qualifying Exam post 2021).

What undergraduate degree is best for environmental law?

Students typically need at least a bachelor's degree to qualify for law school. However, colleges rarely offer undergraduate environmental law degrees. Instead, students should consider a bachelor's degree in political science or economics with a minor in a science-related field.

What are the types of skills needed for environmental lawyer?

They focus on environmental rights and laws and may work on projects relating to renewable energy, sustainability, and climate change. A successful environmental lawyer will have many skills including research, analysis, negotiation, and both written and verbal communication.

What kind of people work at EPA?

What Kind of People Work at EPA?accountants and budget specialists,administrative support specialists,attorneys,biologists,chemists,communications and public affairs specialists,computer/information technology specialists,contracts specialists,More items...•

Is EPA good to work for?

EPA positions generally have a good work life balance. The work can become repetitive and there aren't a whole lot of opportunities for growth and advancement. Good benefits.

Is EPA a federal agency?

It is an agency of the United States federal government whose mission is to protect human and environmental health. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the EPA is responsible for creating standards and laws promoting the health of individuals and the environment.

What Does An Environmental Lawyer do?

An environmental lawyer works to represent clients in legal issues such as in clean technology, water law, climate change law and the management of...

Where Does An Environmental Lawyer Work?

Depending on where an Environmental Lawyer works, the day to day duties of an Environmental Lawyer include meeting with clients, researching enviro...

What Is The Average Environmental Lawyer Salary?

The median salary range for an Environmental Lawyer is $113,530 per year or $54.58 per hour. Employment for Environmental Lawyers is growing at a r...

Environmental Lawyer Jobs & Job Description

1. Analyze and interpret data obtained from literature reviews, case law, criminal, civil and regulatory research, and sample findings 2. Interview...

What Degree Do I Need to Apply to Environmental Law Schools?

To practice as an Environmental Lawyer you will need to obtain a law degree commonly known as a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) or a Juris Doctor (JD). The...

What Kind of Societies and Professional Organizations Do Environmental Lawyers have?

1. The Environmental Law Institute (ELI) is the professional organization for environmental lawyers globally. ELI's visions is for a “healthy envir...

Why Work at OGC?

We believe that there is no better place than EPA OGC for attorneys who want to practice public sector general or environmental law! OGC offers both junior and senior lawyers exciting and challenging legal work, and an outstanding opportunity to advance the nation’s environmental policies. For example:

Paths to OGC Employment

OGC currently posts permanent attorney job announcements on USAJobs.gov . OGC currently posts student summer honors law clerkships and student law externships on our webpages linked below.

Attorney Positions and Fellowships

OGC is seeking talented and diverse attorneys with excellent analytical and writing abilities, a strong commitment to public service, effective “people” skills, and an ability to take on significant responsibility. OGC generally posts vacancy announcements for attorney positions on the USAJobs website .

Student Externs and Summer Honors Law Clerks

This section provides an overview of these programs, but please see each program’s specific webpage linked below for further information and the necessary details on how to apply.

How much does an environmental lawyer make?

What Is the Average Environmental Lawyer Salary? The median salary range for an Environmental Lawyer is $113,530 per year or $54.58 per hour. Employment for Environmental Lawyers is growing at a rate that is equivalent to the average growth for all occupations.

Why is it important to be an environmental lawyer?

It is important to be a good advocate as an Environmental Lawyer spends a significant amount of time in Court. Environmental Lawyers tend to work long hours and are required to be flexible depending on the demands of certain cases. As a lot of Environmental Lawyers work within government, cities with a large number of government agencies are ...

Why is environmental law important?

This is an important career because it can be used to protect the environment through legal avenues. Environmental Lawyers work within private firms, government, and academia. Environmental Lawyers work primarily in an office environment but also regularly represent clients in court and engage in teaching at universities. ...

What is the purpose of environmental law?

The purpose of an Environmental Lawyer is to work with environmental case law and legislation to represent various environmental interests. Environmental laws regulate and define the activities of humans upon the geological and biological systems that are affected by contact. Issues such as ecology, sustainability, responsibility, ...

Work Hard and Do Well in College

If you are sure you want to be a lawyer even in high school, you should choose a college or university that has a pre-law advisor and where you can choose a major that will prepare you for law school in the best way for you.

Between Your Junior and Senior Years of College, Study for and Take the LSAT

Statistically, most pre-law students take the LSAT in the summer or fall—the June or October exams. This is because the summer is the perfect time to dedicate to studying for the LSAT, which is a very unique and challenging exam.

Apply to Law Schools

Once you have your LSAT scores, you should begin submitting applications to law schools. While there is no magic number of law schools that a person should apply to, it is recommended that you choose at least a couple of safety schools, a couple of good match schools, and a couple of reach schools.

Work Hard and Do Well in Law School

You’re in law school! Now is the time to buckle down and really commit to your desire to be a lawyer. If you were admitted to a top tier law school, congratulations—your elite education will be recognized throughout the country, and you will be challenged daily in order to prove that you earned it.

Study for and Pass the Bar Exam

Once you’ve earned your JD, the next step is studying for and passing the state bar exam for the state you’d like to practice law in. The degree of difficulty of the bar exam varies by state, but no matter what, you definitely need to make studying a near-full-time job in order to practice the profession you spent three years learning about.

Find a Law Job

Congratulations! You’ve made it to the end of the line—you can legally practice law! Now’s the time to throw yourself into the job hunt, if you weren’t already doing so while you were studying for the bar exam. Law firms have different requirements for hiring, but you should definitely make sure you interview well, so practice a little.

What is the EPA?

The Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA, is an independent U.S. governmental agency responsible for protecting human health and the environment.

What is an EPA certification?

An EPA certification, or 608 certification, is official recognition by the EPA that a technician is knowledgeable about the laws and regulations surrounding the use and handling of ozone-depleting substances, or ODS, such as refrigerants.

Who needs an EPA certification?

The Clean Air Act requires EPA certification for all technicians who work with refrigerants and could release them into the air.

Why is EPA certification important?

EPA certification ensures that a technician knows the proper procedures for handling ODS, which can be harmful to both the environment and the living things on the planet if released into the atmosphere. ODS can damage the earth's ozone layer, which helps absorb ultraviolet radiation from the sun before it reaches the planet's surface.

What does an environmental lawyer do?

These attorneys, who sometimes work in public interest jobs in government or at environmental nonprofit organizations, specialize in interpreting environmental laws and regulations at the international, federal, state and local levels.

Can companies that follow environmental regulations get in trouble?

Companies that follow environmental protection regulations but fail to file proper paperwork can get in trouble. "Good intentions don’t always get you brownie points in environmental law," she says. "There is a certain way you have to do things and certain records you have to keep, and that’s just the way it is.".

Should environmental lawyers go to law school?

Though aspiring environmental lawyers should take courses in environmental law, it isn't critical for them to attend a law school with an official concentration in this discipline, Gracer says. "There are several law schools that have great environmental law programs," he says, "but there are also law schools that are just excellent law schools ...

Environmental Protection Agency Salary FAQs

How does the salary as an Attorney at Environmental Protection Agency compare with the base salary range for this job?

Explore Attorney Salaries

Check out the latest Attorney Jobs or see Attorney Salaries at other companies.

What is the next step to become a lawyer?

If you hold a bachelors degree, the next step to become a lawyer is the LSAT Exam. Find information on exams. Lawyer Education. A bachelors degree will be your first step. There are pre-law degrees along with online legal studies programs. Or view ABA accredited universities. The State Bar Exam. The bar exam is the next step to become a lawyer.

How much do lawyers make in a year?

As of May 2019, lawyers in the United States averaged $122,960 per year. However, this comfortable salary does not come easily. Becoming a lawyer in any jurisdiction requires years of undergraduate and graduate education, passing challenging examinations, and maintaining licensure through continuing education.

What majors are required for law school?

However, the ABA suggests certain undergraduate majors over others, such as English, history, political science, philosophy, business, or economics.

What accreditation agency is used for undergraduate programs?

When choosing your undergraduate institution, make sure that it is accredited by a regional or national accreditation agency recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or the U.S. Department of Education (USDE).

Why Work at OGC?

• We believe that there is no better place than EPA OGC for attorneys who want to practice public sector general or environmental law! OGC offers both junior and senior lawyers exciting and challenging legal work, and an outstanding opportunity to advance the nation’s environmental policies. For example: 1. OGC lawyers work on novel, cutting-edge leg...

See more on epa.gov

Paths to OGC Employment

Attorney Positions and Fellowships

Student Externs and Summer Honors Law Clerks