Environmental/Natural Resources Associate (4+ years experience)
Van Ness Feldman is seeking an experienced environmental / natural resources attorney with at least 4 years of relevant experience to join our Environmental, Land Use, Natural Resources, and Real Estate team. Candidates can be based in any of our offices, including Seattle, Houston, Washington, DC, or the Bay Area.
Who We Are
Natural Resources law has been a foundational element of Van Ness Feldman for nearly all of the firm’s 50-year history. Our attorneys are responsible for advising clients on a wide range of federal and state regulatory, enforcement, permitting, siting, and compliance requirements encountered during project development and facility operations including the Clean Air Act (CAA), the Clean Water Act (CWA), the Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA), the Endangered Species Act (ESA), the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA), the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), and federal and state hazardous waste laws, and all parallel state and local equivalents.
What You’ll Do
- Research and analysis of complex regulatory issues under NEPA, the ESA, CWA, and the NHPA
- Draft arguments, pleadings and briefs in federal administrative record litigation under NEPA, the ESA, CWA, and the NHPA
- Participate in settlement negotiations with state and federal agencies with respect to compliance with environmental laws
- Track and analyze changes in federal regulations and statutes
- Work with federal and state agencies (e.g. Bureau of Land Management, Army Corps of Engineers, National Marine Fisheries Services) to secure permits on a wide variety of projects including: solar and wind facilities, tide gates, submarine cables, transmission lines, reservoirs
- Work on high-profile, high-stakes water supply and energy issues, including but not limited to: Colorado River water supply issues, California State Water Project water supply issues, programmatic ESA coverage for drainage infrastructure; renewable energy siting and permitting (hydropower, wind, solar), and the National Flood Insurance Program
Skills and Qualifications:
Role Specific Skills and Experience
- Experience in environmental permitting, regulatory compliance, and enforcement, and associated litigation under federal and state environmental laws, such as the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA), the Endangered Species Act (ESA), the Clean Water Act (CWA), and the State Environmental Protection Act (SEPA).
Basic Qualifications
- Graduated with a JD or LLM from an ABA-accredited law school
- Active admission or eligibility for admission in the jurisdiction in which the candidate will practice
- 4+ of experience
Preferred Qualifications
- Strong academic credentials
- Strong organizational and time management skills, with attention to detail and accuracy
- Excellent research, drafting, and writing skills, and ability to produce high-quality work on tight timelines
- Excellent oral communication skills including the ability to communicate clearly, directly, and practically with clients and colleagues
- Ability to take ownership of matters and proactively drive work forward
- Ability to quickly learn new issues and apply that understanding in practice
- Comfort operating with a high degree of autonomy while collaborating closely with a lead partner
About Us
Van Ness Feldman is a nationally recognized law firm focused on energy, environmental, and natural resources law and policy. Home to 100 attorneys and policy professionals, the Firm has offices in Washington, DC; Seattle; the Bay Area; Houston; and Louisiana. For nearly 50 years, the Firm has provided strategic business advice, legislative and policy advocacy, legal and regulatory compliance counsel, representation in administrative proceedings and litigation, and support for project development, permitting, and transactions.
In addition to joining an active and highly collaborative team, the candidate will be part of a Firm that is committed to supporting a healthy work/life balance. Attorneys are expected to be in the office at least three days a week / twelve days a month, but scheduling is flexible. With a 1,700 annual billable hour requirement, (including up to 100 hours of pro bono or business development activities), attorneys are encouraged to work hard while maintaining balance outside the office. The Firm rewards attorneys who exceed the target with a generous bonus. The culture at VNF relies on mutual respect, appreciation, and support. A focus on professional development is central, including regular feedback and training opportunities. VNF seeks individuals who share this approach and bring a collaborative mindset and take pride in thoughtful, high-quality work.
Van Ness Feldman is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
For this position, the good-faith annual base salary range is $180,000 to $200,000, depending on experience, qualifications, and office location. In addition to base salary, compensation may include a bonus based on hours and other applicable criteria. The Firm also offers a competitive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k) profit-sharing plan, paid time off, paid holidays, parental leave, life and disability insurance, employee assistance resources, and professional development opportunities. Applicants who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or interview process may contact [email protected].
