Managing Senior Associate - Environment

Pinsent Masons; Leeds; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible and agile working

Opportunities for development and progression

Supportive and inclusive culture

Job summary

Pinsent Masons is seeking an Environment Senior Associate / Managing Senior Associate in Leeds, England. The role is perfect for an experienced environment lawyer with over 8 years PQE, focusing on sustainability and regulatory law within a leading team.

You will advise on various environmental issues, collaborate with top-ranked lawyers, and support major projects in energy and infrastructure, offering a chance to impact significant initiatives in sustainability.

Qualifications

• 8+ years PQE in environmental law.
• Strong contract drafting and negotiation skills.
• Experience with sustainability and regulatory initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Advise on environmental regulatory matters, including permitting and compliance.
• Support large-scale projects in energy and infrastructure.
• Draft and negotiate complex contracts related to sustainability.

Skills

Environmental regulatory matters

Contract drafting

Client relationship building

Education

Qualified lawyer in England & Wales

Job description

Environment Senior Associate / Managing Senior Associate (8+ PQE)

Any UK office

Shape the future of sustainability and infrastructure in a market-leading environment team.

This is an outstanding opportunity for an experienced environment lawyer with strong contract drafting experience to join a market-leading team at Pinsent Masons. You will work on high-profile, complex matters across environmental, climate change, sustainability, and regulatory law, within a collaborative and nationally recognised practice.

The Opportunity

You will join one of the UK’s largest dedicated Planning & Environment teams, working with leading specialists across major Energy, Infrastructure and Real Estate projects. The role offers exposure to a broad spectrum of environmental work, both contentious and non-contentious, alongside opportunities to collaborate with top-ranked consenting lawyers and colleagues across the wider firm.

You will advise on cutting-edge issues including regulatory frameworks, net zero and carbon strategies, biodiversity, and major infrastructure projects, gaining experience that distinguishes this practice in the market.

What You’ll Do

We are looking for an England & Wales qualified lawyer with upwards of 8 years PQE. You will play a key role in delivering technically excellent, commercial advice to a diverse client base. Your work will include:

• Advising on environmental regulatory matters, including permitting and compliance
• Supporting large-scale projects and transactions across infrastructure and energy sectors
• Providing guidance on enforcement matters and regulatory risk
• Drafting and negotiating complex contractual arrangements relating to sustainability and environmental initiatives
• Working on innovative areas such as carbon markets, biodiversity net gain, and nature-based solutions
• Building strong client relationships and contributing to business development initiatives
• Collaborating closely with colleagues across the national practice, gaining exposure to a wide variety of work and clients

About The Team

Pinsent Masons’ Planning & Environment team is the largest dedicated team of its kind in the UK, advising on some of the most significant projects in the country. The team supports major clients including Southern Water, Heathrow Airport, Drax Power Limited and the Environment Agency.

The practice is recognised for its expertise across the full spectrum of environmental law, including regulatory advice, nuclear regulation, net zero strategy, biodiversity and infrastructure consenting. Its work includes landmark projects such as major flood defence schemes, energy transition initiatives and sustainability-driven commercial structures.

Why Pinsent Masons

• High-quality, intellectually stimulating work with market leading clients
• A supportive, inclusive and collaborative culture where people can thrive
• Clear and transparent opportunities for development and progression
• Flexible and agile working

Our Commitment

We are committed to recruiting and retaining the best talent and building an inclusive, fair and supportive workplace. We value the strength that comes from different experiences and strive to create an environment where everyone feels they belong.

We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates across jurisdictions. If you require reasonable adjustments, we will work with you to identify a suitable approach.