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Could anyone please shed some light on the prospects of building a big law firm career in environmental law? In other words, can I specialize in environmental law and get a position in a big law firm? What are the chances of landing such a position after graduating from a top20 law school? What is the partnership potential for such a position? Thanks a lot.

Isn't this like joining tobacco companies in the 70s.

What do you mean by environmental law? What kinds of clients do you want to work for or what kinds of causes do you want to champion?

I am wondering if it is at all possible, and if so, what would such a career look like?

More questions than answers so far!

goldoldman wrote:I am wondering if it is at all possible, and if so, what would such a career look like?

There is a transactional track. You do the paperwork with agencies or look at deals for any environmental law risks. And by environmental risks I don't mean you check to see if it hurts the environment. You check to make sure there is no liability for hurting the environment OR you accidently buy a company or land that had preexisting liability. Some do a more adminstrative roll where you work with EPA and other agencies on permits and shit.

There is litigation, where you defend multibillion dollar corporations who are raping the earth and poisoning the people.

..

Desert Fox wrote:

goldoldman wrote:I am wondering if it is at all possible, and if so, what would such a career look like?

There is a transactional track. You do the paperwork with agencies or look at deals for any environmental law risks. And by environmental risks I don't mean you check to see if it hurts the environment. You check to make sure there is no liability for hurting the environment OR you accidently buy a company or land that had preexisting liability. Some do a more adminstrative roll where you work with EPA and other agencies on permits and shit.

There is litigation, where you defend multibillion dollar corporations who are raping the earth and poisoning the people.

Thanks for the perspective.

goldoldman wrote:I am wondering if it is at all possible, and if so, what would such a career look like?

That's the point. What do you want your career to look like?

BigZuck wrote:

goldoldman wrote:I am wondering if it is at all possible, and if so, what would such a career look like?

That's the point. What do you want your career to look like?

I think the answer to the question that I am asking will inform me on the question that you have put forth.

goldoldman wrote:

BigZuck wrote:

goldoldman wrote:I am wondering if it is at all possible, and if so, what would such a career look like?

That's the point. What do you want your career to look like?

I think the answer to the question that I am asking will inform me on the question that you have put forth.

If you actually want help then you'll answer that question so that people can give you guidance. Or you can be weirdly snotty I guess. Either way.

Right now it sounds like you like trees, and want to be paid a lot of money. If that's the case, don't go to law school.

What DF said. If you work for a big firm, you will be helping companies comply with environmental regulations, whether that's on the transactional side or litigation side (when they're sued once they screw up their compliance). The oil and gas industry is probably a good example of an industry that will hire big firms to help them deal with environmental stuff.

Energy groups will do shit involving wind and solar also.

A. Nony Mouse wrote:What DF said. If you work for a big firm, you will be helping companies comply with environmental regulations, whether that's on the transactional side or litigation side (when they're sued once they screw up their compliance). The oil and gas industry is probably a good example of an industry that will hire big firms to help them deal with environmental stuff.

Thanks a bunch! I have also wondered about EPA positions and how easy (or not) it is to get them.

lacrossebrother wrote:Energy groups will do shit involving wind and solar also.

Wish there were more detail available.

goldoldman wrote:

lacrossebrother wrote:Energy groups will do shit involving wind and solar also.

Wish there were more detail available.

Friend summered here. This echoes what others have said:

http://www.connellfoley.com/content/pra ... mental-law

don't read practice page bios.
read publications/firm news
https://www.morganlewis.com/news/morgan ... folio-sale

goldoldman wrote:

A. Nony Mouse wrote:What DF said. If you work for a big firm, you will be helping companies comply with environmental regulations, whether that's on the transactional side or litigation side (when they're sued once they screw up their compliance). The oil and gas industry is probably a good example of an industry that will hire big firms to help them deal with environmental stuff.

Thanks a bunch! I have also wondered about EPA positions and how easy (or not) it is to get them.

EPA is like most other federal positions - there are some entry-level honors programs (I think they do term fellowships?) but most of the hiring is likely to be of attorneys 3-5 years out with related experience. The feds tend to like good grades and demonstrated commitment. What's hard is that you don't know when there will be openings. There you would be enforcing environmental regulations, though I'm told it tends to be very specialized in that you work on the same types of cases over and over.

The unicorn "environmental lawyer" practice is with DOJ ENRD.