Overview of Environmental Law in DC
The federal government’s size and scope alone would present opportunities for environmental law employment but the location of Washington, DC makes it a prime place for environmental law issues. The Environmental Protection Agency, an important environmental law federal agency, is located here, along with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the Department of Energy, Department of the Interior , Congress and other agencies. In addition to federal agencies, Washington, DC is home to a number of local and national nonprofit environmental law organizations including the Natural Resources Defense Council, Earthjustice, Defenders of Wildlife, and a number of other law-related groups. Many private law firms also have a sizeable presence in the DC area practicing environmental law.
In terms of environmental law, Washington, DC is the place to be.
The Various Kinds of Jobs in Environmental Law
Environmental law in Washington, DC encompasses a wide variety of jobs at Governmental Agencies, as well as private law firms, non-profit organizations and businesses. Some of the most common jobs in environmental law in Washington, DC include:
Government Agencies such as U.S. Environmental Protection Agency EPA, offer many opportunities to work on legal issues involving air, water, solid wastes, lots of chemical regulation programs and more. EPA also has some Environmental Protection Specialist Program opportunities. Legal Research is another big area of responsibility for EPA attorneys involve. EPA attorneys also work on other environmental matters within government and administrative law.
The United States Department of Justice is another major employer in Washington, DC of attorneys that need to know environmental law. Office of Consumer Litigation OCL and the Environment and Natural Resources Division are two of their main areas.
Many of Washington, DC’s Private Law firms have Environmental groups of Attorneys that support their Environmental Practice Groups. They have lawyers that are familiar with all types of environmental regulations, who litigate on behalf of their clients. For example, McKenna Long & Aldridge, Hogan Lovells, Jones Day and other law firms have large Environmental Law practice groups with lots of Attorneys that have experience.
Organizations such as the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) and World Wildlife Fund (WWF) also focus on Environmental Law and utilize lots of lawyers and non-lawyers in the area of Environmental Law. Many employ lawyers that want to pursue international cities, countries and infractions. Most positions at these organizations require a good deal of environmental law related research and focus on advocating for the environment and also lobbying for new laws, treaties and regulations. Some positions also may have other specific environmental responsibilities such as some regulatory positions and other environmental law related matters.
Lastly, many companies and corporations have their own internal legal departments and hire lawyers with experience and knowledge of Environmental Law as part of their corporate and business practices. Depending on the company, some of the positions may be regulatory focused, while other may be more transactional.
Who is Hiring Environmental Lawyers?
A number of key employers in the area have significant practice groups that focus on environmental law. Some of these companies are large private firms, and some are influential environmental NGOs. The Office of General Counsel of the EPA is the largest employer in the region for environmental lawyers. The EPA’s Office of General Counsel employs attorneys to litigate challenges to EPA decisions in administrative law proceedings and acts as Counsel in cases before federal and state courts. Outside of EPA, the largest private employer of environmental lawyers in the D.C. area is Holland & Knight with over 20 attorneys on staff. Based in national offices, Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP has an environmental practice group of over 50 attorneys in D.C. and Richmond. These firms have cross disciplinary practice groups comprised of specialists in environmental litigation, regulatory, government affairs, and real estate, infrastructure, and land use and have an extensive pro bono practice. Kelly Drye & Warren is a mid-sized firm with a very active environmental practice group. The firm’s environmental practice group includes attorneys with experience as in-house counsel at Fortune 10 companies, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) employees and various former state environmental or energy regulatory council. The Environmental Integrity Project (EIP) is a non-profit organization that employs over 20 lawyers. EIP conducts research, analysis, and analysis of environmental issues, in order to produce memoranda, reports, and other publications targeting environmental law violations and the policies that allow them to persist. The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) has over 80 attorneys, organized into various practice groups much like a law firm. NRDC is the most focused environmental and natural resources non-governmental organization (NGO) and staunchly advocates for legislation and enforcement of environmental laws. Two other prominent environmental non-profit organizations are the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) and the Sierra Club. Both have dedicated environmental law practice groups.
The Qualities that are Important
A job in environmental law in Washington, DC will almost invariably require that you possess a Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school. Public interest groups, non-profits, and governmental agencies may accept candidates who have passed the bar in another state if they are committed to practicing in the District of Columbia. Most environmental attorneys are insiders when it comes to environmental policy; knowledge of this area may prove to be a boon in your job search. For non-attorney positions such as lobbyist or analyst, a bachelor’s degree may suffice as opposed to a JD. In general, however, an environmental law degree is more essential for those pursuing a career path with the federal government, where education is often given as much weight as previous legal experience. Internships in relevant fields are helpful to those with no prior experience.
How to Break into the DC Environmental Law Market
For those researching environmental law jobs in DC to begin or grow their legal careers, the good news is that there are an ample supply of such opportunities being advertised online and on the company websites of environmental law firms, government agencies, non-profit organizations and corporations with large internal law departments. Non-competitive jobs for summer clerks and junior associates tend to be published on the Internet on these same sites between January and the end of the spring semester in mid-May of each year.
For more experienced attorneys looking for Environmental law jobs in Washington, DC, these opportunities will be offered year-round. Many offering organizations for these kinds of positions have shifted their recruiting from the traditional on-campus interview process at law schools to a process where they rely on search firms like ours to identify the best candidates for them.
Networking, or engaging in personal , face-to-face information-sharing and relationship-building has also come to play an ever greater role in the DC environmental law job market. Personal contacts and the development of trust-based, professional relationships between the sources of information about open opportunities and candidates seeking to fill them can mesh as they are shared in the context of mutual benefit and value-added.
When contacts have confidence in the ability of a search firm to deliver a qualified candidate unencumbered by the distraction of a lengthy recruiting process, their willingness to work with and for the firm tends to create a mutually-beneficial exchange of value that can help everyone achieve their goals. For job-seekers, having the counsel of a recruiter can lead to job opportunities that would not otherwise be found or disclosed in the marketplace.
There are additional tools and strategies unique to the DC environmental law job market that can help both candidates and employers effectively navigate the current law job landscape.
The Importance of Networking and Bar Organizations
As in many cities, informal networking is key to a successful environmental law practice in Washington, DC. Your colleagues will prove to be one of your best business development tools. Being part of a small community of like-minded environmental attorneys helps you find opportunities, technical talent and funding sources. Your colleagues provide referrals. They serve on panels with you at conferences, where they pose as knowledgeable and respected experts and then follow up with cocktails at the hotel bar. They call you when they’re launching a project to determine if you should join the team. That said, in DC where lawyers who focus on environmental law are often outnumbered by those on the transactional side, don’t forget that there are also a lot of issues that need to be resolved that run the gamut from cumbersome regulations to poorly designed enforcement approaches. It means there are many opportunities to help both industry and the government design better laws, regulations and rules.
Professional associations are an integral part of the career development of many environmental attorneys. One of the most prominent associations for environmental attorneys is the American Bar Association. The ABA Environmental & Energy Services Committee (formerly the Section on Natural Resources, Energy and Environmental Law) has over 1,000 members and twenty-five special focus committees. CLE is a major function, hosting regular conferences in the summer and winter, an annual Land Use Institute and a new biannual Emerging Issues Conference. It also produces a newsletter several times a year and one or two major publications each year. Members offer free consultations during the ABA’s annual public service project week in Washington and they staff the environmental issues desk at the annual conference. The ABA’s pro bono and public service activities are popular among members.
In addition to the ABA, the Environmental Law Institute is another long-established professional association focusing on environmental law and policy. The ELI produces several highly regarded periodicals, including the National Wetlands Newsletter and the Environmental Law Reporter. ELI also publishes reference books, studies, white papers and policy analyses on a wide range of topics. These may sometimes be published in conjunction with partner organizations, including federal and state government agencies, private law firms, think tank and non-governmental organizations. ELI also hosts workshops and conferences on several environmental issues, and acts to connect and proffer at multi-stakeholder conflicts aimed at resolving environmental problems.
Many of the federal agencies, such as the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Justice and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, have their own bar association. For example, the EPA has the American Bar Association’s Environment, Energy, and Resources Committee.
On the industry side, professional groups such as the Compliance and Enforcement Network offer educational opportunities that can help you get ahead. The US Chamber of Commerce’s Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (C2ES) is an advocate for strong market-based policies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions at the least cost. Notably, the American Petroleum Institute is a highly regarded trade association in the environmental law community, providing high quality advocacy as well as technical seminars on recent developments in the field.
Other resources have been developed over the past two decades specifically to meet the needs of environmental professionals. Two of the most popular are Environmental Law Network and the Environmental Law Network International. Environmental Law Network offers online CLE and a legal library operated with the Institute for Professional and Executive Development. The 18-year-old Environmental Law Network International currently has well over 2,500 members. Based in Washington, the organization seeks to provide useful resources and information on a wide range of environmental issues.
Finding the right professional groups and associations, attending conferences and networking with colleagues are essential to maximize career growth as an environmental attorney.
Current Trends and Future Outlook
The dynamics of the environmental law job marketplace in DC are being reshaped by global, national and local developments. Most prominently these include climate change, the emergence of new technology, reshaping of key agencies, the tension between state and federal oversight, the real estate/environmental nexus, and increased awareness of environmental justice issues. Technology is playing an increasingly significant role in environmental compliance and oversight. More innovative business models (such as by airports and shipping companies) focus on re-thinking the way of doing business by embedding environmental sustainability. Environmental management software is also making strides in helping companies manage their obligations. Smart use of waste and energy monitoring technologies also provides a growing area of work for environmental lawyers. Political shifts and tensions are impacting the work of federal environmental agencies including the EPA Office of General Counsel. State attorneys general continue to push the envelope in taking aggressive approaches to strategy, particularly on a regional or sub-national basis. The rivalry between California and the federal government continues, with that state pursuing its own objectives on the environment while carving out space for collaboration with other states. A consequential development that has received less publicity has been the growing interface of the real estate and environmental law sectors. As stated in a recent Urban Land Institute report, "the nexus between real estate and environmental issues has become more important than ever. The decision to buy, sell, trade, develop, or invest in property can no longer be separated from an understanding of the growing infrastructure, energy, water, and climate challenges in the urban environment." Although there has always been a relationship between these fields, the stakes have risen. A central feature of this interface is increasing emphasis on sustainable buildings and green development initiatives which need the legal assistance of environmental lawyers to navigate. Environmental justice issues are another growth area. Not only do the more traditional areas of public health and environmental impact statements deserve attention, but the connectivity with health care and the social safety net present new opportunities for environmentally minded lawyers. How will these trends impact the job market for those of you new to the field? For practitioners already with experience, it will create further opportunities for niche practice in these areas. For beginners, it’s all about keeping an eye on what’s ahead.
Conclusion and Resources
In conclusion, environmental law in Washington, DC is not limited to traditional boundaries. Whether it’s securing sustainability practices in the business sector, working on public policy to shape our future, or holding companies accountable for their environmental impact, a multitude of opportunities exist for those interested in this ever-evolving field of law. Environmental lawyers in DC play a crucial role in not only advising and representing their clients but also advocating for the protection of our natural resources and promoting strategies to combat the current environmental issues we face. These careers require a strong analytical mind, excellent research and writing skills, and in many cases, a solid science and/or public policy background. They can also involve frequent engagement with the public, as well as local, state , and federal agencies. Continuing education and networking are essential components to remaining at the forefront of this field. Young attorneys are encouraged to join related organizations, attend events, and develop a strong professional network in this city that is often at the center of the action. For those interested in additional resources, some helpful starting points include: the American Bar Association’s Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources, which provides access to publications, events, and networking opportunities; the Environmental Law Institute, which offers educational and professional development resources; as well as various publications, including Nancy E. O’Reilly and Barbara H. Atwell’s "Careers in Environmental Law," which outlines different career paths in the field. There are multiple avenues one can take, and the road to a career in environmental law in DC is as diverse as the city itself.