Environmental Solicitor

Weightmans; United Kingdom; Remote; GBP 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Weightmans is looking for an ambitious environmental solicitor to join our growing national team. You will work with market-leading environmental lawyers on a broad range of contentious, regulatory, advisory and project-based work across the UK.

You will advise on environmental compliance, investigations, permitting and risk management for corporate transactions and real estate, while developing client relationships and contributing to business development in a supportive national team

Qualifications

• Qualified solicitor status with 3+ years' PQE.
• Experience of environmental, regulatory, or public law matters.
• Excellent drafting, analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong organisational and time management skills.
• Commercial awareness and a genuine interest in environmental law and sustainability issues.
• Excellent communication and client relationship skills.
• A collaborative approach and a desire to contribute to a growing market-leading practice.

Responsibilities

• Advising clients on environmental compliance and regulatory obligations.
• Supporting investigations and enforcement actions by environmental regulators.
• Managing environmental incidents including pollution, waste, emissions and permit breaches.
• Advising on environmental permitting, waste/resource regulation and contaminated land.
• Assisting with environmental due diligence for corporate transactions and real estate.
• Preparing appeals, regulatory challenges and litigation matters.
• Drafting legal advice, submissions and training materials.
• Developing client relationships and contributing to business development.
• Managing caseloads and client reporting and budgeting.

Skills

PQE 3+ years

Environmental law

Drafting

Client relations

Communication

Collaborative

Job description

About your new role

Our Environmental team is recognised as one of the UK's leading specialist environmental law practices. Ranked by Chambers & Partners and Legal 500, we advise many of the country's best-known businesses, public bodies, utilities, investors and infrastructure providers on complex environmental, sustainability and regulatory issues.

We are looking for an ambitious environmental solicitor to join our growing national team.

This is an exciting opportunity to work alongside market-leading environmental lawyers on a wide range of contentious, regulatory, advisory and project-based work. The role offers exposure to high-profile environmental matters across sectors including energy and utilities, waste and resources, manufacturing, infrastructure, transport and logistics, local government and real estate.

Our team is known for combining technical excellence with commercially focused advice. We work at the forefront of environmental regulation, helping clients manage environmental risk, respond to incidents, navigate regulatory change and support major projects and transactions.

The Role

You will work closely with partners and senior lawyers on a broad range of environmental matters, including:

• Advising clients on environmental compliance and regulatory obligations
• Supporting clients in relation to Environment Agency, Natural Resources Wales, SEPA and local authority investigations and enforcement action
• Managing environmental incidents, including pollution events, waste-related matters, emissions issues and permit breaches
• Advising on environmental permitting, waste and resource regulation, contaminated land and water-related matters
• Assisting with environmental due diligence and risk management for corporate transactions, projects and real estate matters
• Preparing appeals, regulatory challenges and litigation matters
• Drafting legal advice, submissions and client training materials
• Developing strong client relationships and contributing to business development initiatives
• Managing a caseload of matters and assisting with client reporting, budgeting and financial performance

Why Join Us?

This role offers the opportunity to:

• Work with highly regarded environmental specialists recognised by Chambers & Partners and Legal 500
• Advise on some of the most significant environmental incidents, enforcement matters and infrastructure projects in the UK
• Develop expertise across environmental compliance, litigation, permitting, sustainability and ESG-related matters
• Work with clients ranging from major corporates and utilities through to public sector bodies and emerging businesses
• Benefit from a supportive and collaborative national team environment
• Build your profile through client training, thought leadership, sector engagement and business development activity
• Be part of a team at the forefront of developments in environmental law, the circular economy, sustainability and the energy transition

This list is not intended to be exhaustive and you will be expected to perform other duties and have other responsibilities that fall within the wider remit of the role

About You

We are looking for candidates who have:

• Qualified solicitor status with 3+ years' PQE
• Experience of environmental, regulatory, or public law matters
• Excellent drafting, analytical and problem-solving skills
• Strong organisational and time management skills
• Commercial awareness and a genuine interest in environmental law and sustainability issues
• Excellent communication and client relationship skills
• A collaborative approach and a desire to contribute to a growing market-leading practice

Desirable

• Experience of environmental permitting and compliance matters
• Experience of regulatory investigations, enforcement action or environmental litigation
• Experience advising clients in the energy, utilities, waste and resources, manufacturing or infrastructure sectors

If you are looking to build your career within a leading environmental practice and work on some of the most interesting and challenging environmental matters in the market, we would be delighted to hear from you.

Why work for us

Come and join our award-winning organisation and be part of a team where people truly matter.

Weightmans is a Leading national law firm, with strong international capabilities.

Weightmans has been recognised as a leading employer for the 19th consecutive year at Britain’s Top Employers awards, and ranking top 10 in the list, the firm has also secured top positions in Chambers UK.

Why work for us? Take a look: Work for Weightmans: voted a top employer | Weightmans

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Work for a firm where people matter – work for Weightmans

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and identities and are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace where everyone feels respected, supported and able to reach their full potential. Our people-first culture is at the heart of everything we do, making Weightmans a place where you can develop your career and thrive.

Curious about what is it like to work at our firm? Visit our Life at Weightmans page for insights into our employee initiatives, responsible business commitments and much more!