why become an environmental lawyer

Pros and Cons of Becoming an Environmental Lawyer

• Pro 1: Passion. Practicing environmental law takes passion, like save-the-planet passion. If you have it, then you are...
• Pro 2: Learning. Don't worry if you don't have an undergraduate degree in environmental engineering or earth sciences.
• Con 1: Corporations. While government and public interest groups have jobs for...

Full Answer

Should I become an environmental lawyer?

• Important Facts About Environmental Lawyers
• Private Companies. A diverse mix of private companies and industries utilize our natural resources and need the services of an environmental lawyer.
• Government Agencies. ...
• Non-Profit Organizations. ...
• Environmental Lawyer Education Options and Licensure. ...
• Employment Information. ...

How do I become an environmental lawyer?

Becoming an environmental lawyer requires completing a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree program at an accredited law school. Prospective environmental lawyers may also wish to further their knowledge by selecting a J.D. program that offers a specialization in environmental law, or by completing a Master of Laws program with an environmental law emphasis.

How to become an environmental attorney?

Potential environmental law opportunities:

• Friends of the Earth offers a one-year legal internship and will provide you with the opportunity to work on a range of cases.
• Greenpeace International offers a paid internship which will also provide you with a chance to work on lots of different environmental law issues:
• WWF-UK has a legal department so keep an eye on its vacancies website

More items...

What is the salary for an environmental attorney?

What is the salary trajectory of an Environmental Attorney? The salary trajectory of an Environmental Attorney ranges between locations and employers. The salary starts at $115,882 per year and goes up to $115,882 per year for the highest level of seniority.

Why are environmental lawyers important?

An environmental lawyer works to represent clients in legal issues such as in clean technology, water law, climate change law and the management of land subject to native title and other public land. Environment laws are a large and complex specialty within the practice of law.

Is environmental law a good career?

Environmental law can be an excellent career, especially for those who have prior experience in a regulated industry, regulatory body or advocacy group.

Whats it like being an 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.

Can you make a lot of money as an environmental lawyer?

The salaries of Environmental Lawyers in the US range from $34,720 to $799,563 , with a median salary of $168,695 . The middle 57% of Environmental Lawyers makes between $168,699 and $378,751, with the top 86% making $799,563.

What do you want to learn about environmental law?

Environmental law is the broad area of law that examines a range of issues related to the environment; this includes water, hazardous waste, air quality, species protection, wetlands, biodiversity, agriculture, green initiatives, waste managements, sustainability strategies and alternative energy sources.

How do you break into environmental law?

How to become an environmental lawyerPursue an undergraduate degree. The first step to becoming an environmental lawyer is to earn an undergraduate degree. ... Prepare, study for and pass the LSAT. ... Research schools and apply to programs. ... Graduate with your Juris Doctor. ... Take the bar exam. ... Apply for positions.

How can environmental lawyers help climate change?

Here are some ways that lawyers can make a difference in the campaign against climate change:Legal and policy research. ... Litigation. ... Legislative advocacy. ... Communications. ... Financially supporting climate work. ... Reducing the bar and bench's carbon footprint. ... Working through the bar.

What does an environmental lawyer deal with?

What does an environmental lawyer do? When acting for corporate clients, environmental lawyers give advice on the possible environmental consequences of pursuing particular corporate activities. These results could include health and safety implications or increased pollution and carbon emissions for example.

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.

What is the highest paying environmental science job?

5 High Paying Environmental Science Careers#1 Biochemist. Median Salary: $94,270. Education: Doctorate. Experience: None. ... #2 Environmental Engineer. Median Salary: $92,120. Education: Bachelor's. ... #3 Hydrologist. Median Salary: $84,040. Education: Bachelor's. ... #4 Environmental Scientist. Median Salary: $73,230. Education: Bachelor's.

How do you know if I would be a good lawyer?

You work well with others. That's right—being a lawyer means working with people! ... You can persuade others. The ability to persuade=the practice of law. ... You are independent and self-disciplined. ... You can endure the grind. ... You don't take things at face value. ... You must be able to network.

How do I know what kind of lawyer I want to be?

Here are a few questions to help you determine what type of law would be a good fit for you:How Much Do You Like to Argue?How Motivated You Are by Money?How Much Control Do You Need Over Your Work Life?How Much Interaction Do You Need With Other People?What Do You Like to Do?

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...

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 land subject to native title and other public land . Other areas of focus include environmental rights, international environmental law, law of the sea and international resources law. Environmental lawyers also work in the areas of climate change, sustain ability and renewable energies , a growing area of enterprise globally.

What Is the Average Environmental Lawyer Salary?

Although the BLS does not maintain stats on environmental lawyers, it does report the median salary of lawyers, which was $126,930 as of May 2020. The job demand for lawyers is projected to increase by 9 percent between 2020 and 2030. As the world becomes more environmentally conscious the market for environmental lawyers grows and will continue to do so.

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 JD is a postgraduate qualification, the bachelor is an undergraduate qualification. Further qualification is also available including a Masters of Law (LLM), Masters of Environmental Law, or a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). These further options are a good option for lawyers seeking more senior roles or a higher pay grade.

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

The Environmental Law Institute (ELI) is the professional organization for environmental lawyers globally. ELI's visions is for a “healthy environment, prosperous economies, and vibrant communities founded on the rule of law”. ELI fosters innovative, just, and practical law and policy solutions to enable environmental lawyers to make environmental, economic and social progress. Professionals can join the ELI network by paying an annual subscription.

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 American Bar Association?

The American Bar Association (ABA) is the national American Association of Lawyers responsible for regulating the professional standards and ethical codes of lawyers nationally. The ABA's mission statement is to “serve equally our members, our profession and the public by defending liberty and delivering justice as the national representative of the legal profession”. There is an annual fee to the ABA to practice as a lawyer.

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, ...

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.

Why are environmental lawyers intimidated?

Harvard Law School 's "A Trail Guide to Careers in Environmental Law" offers words of encouragement in this vein: "Many would-be environmental attorneys are intimidated by the field because of the perception that it requires scientific expertise. While environmental lawyers often work alongside scientists to achieve their goals, this collaboration allows scientists to concentrate on the science and lawyers to concentrate on the law."

What does Gotthelf like about environmental regulations?

But Gotthelf says one of the things she likes about environmental regulations is that they are typically clear and specific as opposed to being open to interpretation.

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 ...

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.".

Can environmental lawyers take business classes?

Gracer adds that aspiring environmental attorneys can benefit from taking business courses . "If I were going to law school today, I would get a joint J.D.-MBA because I think a lot of the solutions to climate change are going to be driven by market forces and private sector decisions in the business community," he says.

What does an environmental lawyer do?

Depending upon the place where an environmental lawyer works, an environmental attorney day-to-day responsibilities include visiting clients, investigating environmental policy trends, writing papers, and teaching the public and students about environmental law.

How many years of experience do environmental lawyers need?

Sometimes, corporations and government departments tend to employ people with 5-7 years of work experience. The more experience you gain, the higher the environmental lawyer salary you would be eligible to receive.

What are the elements of environmental law?

You’ll hear about important elements of the legal system of environmental law, including constitutional law, federal court systems, international law, law, state law, local government law, and legislation . You’ll also spend time talking explicitly about environmental laws and policies currently in place.

Environmental Law Specialty

In today’s uncertain regulatory environment, the judiciary has emerged as a major flash point in numerous deadlocked battles over degraded ecosystems and diminished natural resources. In this space, the modern environmental lawyer has become a pivotal figure with the ability to influence legal and ecological outcomes.

Ethical Dimension

Does ‘envirolaw’ have to lead to a career defending offshore drillers, encroaching developers and industrial trawlers?

Constructive Impact

Can you make a difference as an environmental lawyer? Absolutely, but getting to a point of constructive impact takes discipline, commitment, and careful consideration of the ethical challenges with which this legal specialty is fraught—not to mention assessment of one’s salary expectations.

What is the most important thing a lawyer can do?

The most important thing you can do as a lawyer is: You can right very big power imbalances. Law is a tremendous power equalizer. Every day, Davids beat Goliaths in court—even though they don’t in the economic marketplace, and they don’t in a gerrymandered and corrupted political space.

Who is the founder of UC Berkeley's environmental law clinic?

Polsky has litigated environmental cases in state and federal court, and the U.S. Supreme Court. She’s testified before Congress. She’s worked behind the scenes to make sure that environmental regulations get made and that they endure. As the founding director of UC Berkeley’s Environmental Law Clinic, she teaches the next generation of environmental lawyers the nuts and bolts of actual law practice. In short: she’s had more careers than any lawyer I know. She was kind enough to sit down with me recently and answer a few questions:

Why is it common to have environmental and consumer protection combined?

If you work at a county counsel's office, for instance, it’s common to have environmental and consumer protection combined, because oftentimes, companies that have bad environmental practices are also defrauding their customers.

What are the jobs that have you mostly in the courtroom?

And then there are jobs that have you mostly behind a computer, writing briefs on a really extended schedule.

What is the problem with law school?

If there’s a problem with law school, it’s that it produces a bias towards risk aversion and book learning and abstraction, and a tendency to get paralyzed through analysis. There’s a certain fearless jumping in that I see in the best environmental lawyers.

Is lawyering a litigation?

Another misperception is that the bulk of lawyering is litigation. It isn’t. It’s advising clients . It’s advising agencies. It’s drafting statutes and regulations. It’s transactional lawyering that might get a green business established.

Is environmental law green?

The environmental law practices at large firms have a huge range of jobs that are described as environmental law, even though they aren’t all green jobs. You could, for example, be defending GE dumping PCBs in the Housatonic .

What is an environmental lawyer?

An environmental lawyer is a professional who provides legal guidance to their clients about various environmental topics and issues, such as climate change, poor air and water quality, sustainability and waste management. Environmental lawyers provide counsel to their clients in court by compiling evidence and suggesting strategies to save energy. They also advocate for their clients by adhering to environmental laws and regulations themselves, modeling how to effectively protect the environment. In addition to providing support to clients during the legal process, environmental lawyers, and the outcomes of their court cases, are critical in shaping future environmental law and policy.

How many hours do environmental lawyers work?

It's common for environmental attorneys to work more than 40 hours per week, and they may work beyond traditional work hours. While their schedule typically varies depending on their workload, environmental lawyers may work weekends, late hours, early mornings and on holidays.

How much will the attorney profession grow in 2029?

The job outlook for attorneys is expected to grow by 4% through 2029, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), which is the average growth for all occupations.

Environmental Law Specialty

See more on greenerideal.com

‘Rising Tide’ of Litigation

Ethical Dimension

Constructive Impact