How to Become an Environmental Lawyer

Environmental law encompasses a wide range of environmental-related legal issues, laws, and regulations. These include, but are not limited to, air quality, water quality, protection of species, hazardous waste, wetlands, agriculture, waste management, biodiversity, sustainability strategies, alternative energy sources, and green initiatives. Environmental lawyers are called upon to handle all of these issues and more, as well as advising clients on sustainability, green standards, climate change, global warming and legislation and regulations involving the environment.

An environmental lawyer is responsible for understanding the many, varied, and ever-changing laws and regulations pertaining to our environment. They represent a wide range of clients in environmental case law and legislation. Many environmental lawyers enter the field through a love of the outdoors and of protecting the natural world in which we live.

Environmental lawyers are often required to appear in federal, state, and administrative law courts. They may be representing government agencies, businesses, non-profit organizations, as well as private citizens.

Major federal environmental laws with which environmental lawyers must be familiar include (but are not limited to):

•The Clean Air Act of 1963

•The Clean Water Act of 1972

•The National Environmental Policy Act of 1970

•The Endangered Species Act of 1973

•The Comprehensive Environmental Response and Conservation Act of 1980

Education Required to Become an Environmental Lawyer

Pre-law undergraduate education is your first step towards becoming an environmental lawyer. Contrary to popular belief, an undergraduate degree in science is not necessary in order to become an environmental lawyer. Related fields such as government relations, public policy and real estate law are all beneficial to environmental lawyers. Business courses can also help lawyers of all specialties, including environmental lawyers.

Likewise, when you attend law school, you need not specialize in environmental law (especially if your law school does not offer such as specialization). After attaining your Juris Doctor degree, you must pass the bar examination in the state(s) sin which you wish to practice law. Some schools offer specialty certification for environmental lawyers as well, which you may opt to complete but which is not mandatory in order to practice environmental law. The American Bar Association (ABA) provides a listing of certificate programs if you are interested in choosing a school that offers certification in environmental law.

Job Description & Skills Required for an Environmental Lawyer

Environmental lawyers may work in government, for non-profit organizations, within the private sector for businesses, or for private public interest law firms. An environmental lawyer is not always the enemy of business and industry, either. Some may represent companies that have environmental regulations to follow. The job description of an environmental lawyer includes both regulatory practice and litigation work. Job duties and skills required for environmental lawyers are broad and may include:

•Drafting legislation for environmental law

•Lobbying elected officials

•Advising policymakers at all levels of government

•Designing new regulations and rules regarding the environment

•Developing innovate approaches to things like permitting

•Coordinating community education and outreach

•Engaging in public policy discussions at conferences and academic institutions

•Support business and property transactions for land conservation

•Negotiate financing deals for renewable energy companies

•Participating in public-private partnerships experimenting in new technologies

•Consulting with industry on complying with environmental laws

•Documenting the following of environmental protection regulations

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