Legal Director - Environment

TN United Kingdom; Leeds; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is looking for an experienced environmental lawyer to join their Tier 1-ranked Environment & Sustainability team. This role offers the opportunity to handle a diverse range of advisory and transactional work, while guiding junior team members and engaging in business development. You'll work in a supportive and inclusive environment that values collaboration and professional development, contributing to high-profile national and cross-border transactions. If you are passionate about environmental law and want to make a significant impact, this is the perfect opportunity for you.

Benefits

Competitive salary package

Flexible working environment

Supportive team culture

Access to advanced technology

Extensive training and development programs

Qualifications

• 7+ years of PQE in environmental law with a focus on advisory and transactional work.
• Experience in mentoring junior lawyers and managing client relationships.

Responsibilities

• Advise on environmental legal issues across various sectors.
• Manage complex cases and provide practical advice under tight deadlines.

Skills

Environmental Law

Client Relationship Management

Mentoring

Commercial Awareness

Collaboration

Education

Qualified Lawyer (PQE)

Job description

We are seeking an experienced environmental lawyer with the skills, quality, and versatility to handle advisory, contentious, and transactional work across environmental and sustainability issues.

THE ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY TEAM

Our Tier 1-ranked Environment & Sustainability team, recognized by Legal 500 and Chambers, serves diverse clients including blue chip companies, family enterprises, and public sector authorities across sectors like retail, transport, digital, health, industrial, manufacturing, automotive, energy, and utilities.

Our team of five lawyers operates at UK and global levels, offering comprehensive legal services including compliance advice, environmental governance, climate change planning, incident response, regulatory investigations, enforcement support, transactional advice, infrastructure projects, green claims, sustainable products, carbon reporting, and net-zero strategies.

What sets us apart is our deep legal and policy knowledge combined with understanding of our clients' operations, enabling us to deliver fast, commercial solutions to complex challenges, often surpassing larger firms.

WHAT TO EXPECT IN THIS ROLE

• Advising on a full range of environmental legal issues, including advisory, contentious, and transactional projects;
• Managing complex cases across various sectors;
• Providing clear, practical advice under tight deadlines;
• Staying informed on legal and policy developments affecting clients;
• Collaborating effectively with global fee earners; and
• Engaging in business development activities.

As a Senior Lawyer, you will guide and develop junior team members and have opportunities to take on additional responsibilities and advance your career.

YOUR AREAS OF KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERTISE

The ideal candidate will have:

• At least 7 years of environmental PQE at an appropriate level;
• Proven experience in building and maintaining client relationships;
• Experience in supporting and mentoring junior team members;
• An understanding of our clients' broad commercial interests; and
• A collaborative approach working across teams.

OUR APPROACH

We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone is treated with fairness and respect, regardless of gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, or other protected characteristics. We encourage applications from diverse backgrounds, especially from underrepresented groups, and offer reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process.

We aim to provide a positive employee experience, with benefits that support work-life balance, wellbeing, and professional development.

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT WHEN YOU JOIN ADDLESHAW GODDARD

• Competitive salary package;
• Flexible, hybrid working environment;
• Supportive team culture;
• Access to advanced technology and innovation;
• Opportunities on high-profile national and cross-border transactions;
• Extensive training and development programs.