Senior Environmental Lawyer - Leeds

BCL Legal; Leeds; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A global law firm in Leeds is seeking a Senior Environmental Lawyer with at least 7 years of PQE. The role offers a unique opportunity to work on diverse EHS matters while enjoying a collaborative culture and strong career progression. Candidates will handle their own cases, guide junior lawyers, and engage in business development, with a focus on emerging regulatory areas. The firm provides a comprehensive benefits package and a flexible, hybrid working environment, promoting a balance between professional growth and personal life.

Benefits

Comprehensive benefits package

Flexibility in working

Clear progression routes

Qualifications

• At least 7PQE in environmental work.
• Strong research, drafting and influencing skills.
• A commercial mindset and the confidence to operate with autonomy.

Responsibilities

• Handle own matters and guide junior lawyers.
• Play an active role in business development and training.
• Build expertise in emerging regulatory areas.

Skills

Research skills

Drafting skills

Influencing skills

Commercial mindset

Autonomy

Job description

Senior Environmental Lawyer - Leeds (Principal Associate to Legal Director)

If you're an experienced Environmental specialist lawyer (7+ PQE) who wants to operate at the sharp end of EHS work without being tied to London, this is a standout opportunity with a truly global firm. The Leeds office is open to strong candidates who want a platform that's serious about growth, cross-border work and delivering proper career progression.

This team is one of the best-known EHS practices in the market - the kind that's first on the list when major organisations hit a crisis, face regulators on-site, or need heavyweight support on complex transactions. It's fast-paced, technical, and varied, with a strong human side to the work. The culture is collaborative, switched-on, and very much about long-term development.

The work covers:

• Chemical and product compliance (including post-Brexit regimes)
• Permitting: IED, MCP, EPR - UK and EU
• Waste, circular economy, classification and end-of-waste
• ESG advisory
• Transactional environmental support across corporate and real estate
• Multi-jurisdictional projects with integrated international teams
• Drafting and negotiating environmental liability provisions
• Opportunities for contentious work when it arises

You'll handle your own matters, help guide junior lawyers, and play an active role in BD, training and shaping the direction of the practice. Expect plenty of direct client exposure, cross-practice collaboration, and the chance to build genuine expertise in emerging regulatory areas.

What they're looking for:

• At least 7PQE in environmental work
• Strong research, drafting and influencing skills
• A commercial mindset and the confidence to operate with autonomy
• Someone who genuinely wants to grow into a market-leading practitioner

Why it's worth a look:

This isn't just another regional environmental role. You get the scope, quality and international reach of a global firm, with the flexibility and balance that comes with their hybrid working approach. The benefits package is comprehensive, the progression routes are clear, and the firm takes inclusion seriously - in policy, in practice and in how they hire.

If you're in Leeds and ready for a step that puts you in the top tier of environmental work while keeping your base in the North, this is one to pay attention to. Get in touch with Juliet Lawson for more details.

BCL Legal is an equal opportunities employer.