Environmental (Regulatory/Compliance) Managing Associate (6+PQE) Bristol/Any office

Freeths; Bristol; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading legal firm is seeking a qualified Environmental Solicitor with 6+ years PQE to join its Planning and Environment Group in Bristol. The ideal candidate will help navigate complex environmental law issues including waste regulation and compliance, working closely with a recognized Partner and a supportive team. This role offers an opportunity to contribute to important projects and engage with a diverse range of clients across various sectors.

Qualifications

• Qualified Environmental Solicitor (around 6+ years PQE).
• Experience in real estate and corporate transactional support.
• Expertise in environmental law, compliance, and risk management.

Responsibilities

• Support growth alongside Partner Ben Derrington.
• Advise clients on waste regulation, permitting, and crisis management.
• Collaborate with the Regulatory Department on risk management.

Skills

Environmental permitting

Contaminated land

Pollution management

Waste regulation

Crisis management

Job description

The Team

Freeths LLP Planning and Environment Group is a multi-disciplinary team comprising planning lawyers, environmental lawyers, and planning consultants operating across all development sectors. The Group is known for its extensive knowledge, experience, and for providing pragmatic and commercial advice to navigate the planning process from inception to advocacy, aiming for the best outcome. It offers a holistic approach, including advice on environmental regulation areas such as biodiversity, sustainability, permitting, circular economy, contaminated land, waste, water regulation, climate change, and regulatory defence.

The Group collaborates closely with Freeths’ commercial, corporate, and real estate lawyers, supporting practices in development, clean energy, and waste sectors.

The environmental law team advises a range of clients, including public and private companies (manufacturers, housebuilders, developers, utilities), public sector organizations, local authorities, and regulators. The goal is to establish itself as one of the UK's leading Environmental Law Teams.

The Role

We are seeking a qualified Environmental Solicitor (around 6+ years PQE) to support our growth, working alongside Partner Ben Derrington, ideally in Bristol but open to other locations within the Freeths network. Ben is recognized as a Recommended Lawyer and a Next Generation Partner in The Legal 500 (2025) and as a Leading Individual in Chambers & Partners (2025).

Ben specializes in waste regulation, including complex end-of-waste issues, environmental permitting, enforcement defence, energy from waste, pollution incidents, contaminated land, water resources, climate law, environmental information, and crisis management. He also collaborates with our Regulatory Department for advice and training on risk management.

Experience in real estate, corporate transactional support, environmental permitting, contaminated land, emissions, pollution, waste, criminal defence, compliance, and risk management is essential.

We seek enthusiastic, passionate lawyers to join our friendly, supportive, and ambitious team.

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Join the Freeths team today.

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If you resonate with our values—care, open communication, and collaboration—we'd love to welcome you to our diverse and inclusive team.