Senior Environmental Lawyer

BCG Attorney Search is seeking a Senior Environmental Lawyer in Los Angeles, CA, with at least 8 years of experience in environmental and land use law. The role involves advising on energy and infrastructure projects, navigating California's regulatory landscape, and managing environmental compliance and permitting processes. Candidates should have strong legal skills and experience in project finance and environmental risk management. A Juris Doctor and California Bar admission are required.
Job Title: Senior Environmental Lawyer

Job Overview:
A Los Angeles-based law firm is seeking a seasoned environmental and land use attorney to support high-profile energy, infrastructure, and power projects throughout California. The ideal candidate will bring substantial experience with the state’s complex regulatory environment, including CEQA, CARB, and local permitting processes, while playing a critical role in advising developers, sponsors, and lenders on project development and financing. This opportunity is tailored for professionals who enjoy working at the intersection of regulatory compliance, policy, finance, and innovation, especially in emerging areas like distributed energy and carbon markets.

Duties:
• Handle permitting, entitlements, and approvals for infrastructure, energy, and industrial development projects in California
• Provide counsel on CEQA, NEPA, and local environmental review requirements
• Guide clients through the permitting process with air and water boards, CARB, and local agencies
• Oversee and coordinate third-party environmental reviews (e.g., Phase I/II ESAs, biological/cultural assessments)
• Assist with due diligence for transactions, including risk analysis and contractual allocation of environmental liabilities
• Draft and negotiate environmental provisions in purchase, financing, and related agreements
• Manage remediation issues and compliance matters involving CERCLA, RCRA, and related state programs
• Collaborate closely with finance teams, sponsors, and lenders on environmental risk in project finance
• Address regulatory considerations related to CCS, carbon markets, and clean technology deployment

Requirements:
• Minimum 8 years of legal experience in environmental and land use law, with significant practice in California
• Robust understanding of CEQA, CARB, local air/water boards, and other state regulatory bodies
• Practical experience with environmental permitting, compliance, and entitlement processes
• Strong background in energy or infrastructure development, including utility-scale projects
• Familiarity with environmental impact assessments and management of consultant and agency communications
• Ability to handle environmental aspects of real estate development and contaminated site management
• Proficient in identifying and mitigating environmental risks in complex transactions
• Skilled in client-facing work with project developers, sponsors, and institutional lenders

Education:
• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school
• Admission to the California Bar (active and in good standing)

Skills:
• Strong legal research, writing, and drafting skills
• Strategic thinking and the ability to manage multiple matters concurrently
• Effective communicator with the ability to work across cross-functional teams
• Practical knowledge of land use planning and public utilities regulation
• Competence in reviewing environmental surveys, site assessments, and title documents
• Exposure to international environmental frameworks and cross-border projects is considered a plus

Job Location:
• Los Angeles, CA

Benefits:
• Access to multiple medical plans, plus dental and vision insurance
• Life and disability coverage
• 401(k) plan with eligibility for profit-sharing
• Health savings and flexible spending accounts
• Paid parental leave (minimum 14 weeks)
• Generous PTO starting at 20 days annually
• 11 paid firm holidays per year
• Fertility and family-forming support (e.g., Carrot Fertility)
• Wellness perks include a free Peloton app membership and mental health support through Lyra
• $2,500 vacation stipend (based on billable threshold)
• Pet insurance coverage
• Executive coaching and business development reimbursement opportunities
• Inclusion in firmwide pro bono and volunteer initiatives
• Talent referral bonus eligibility

SKILLS - Energy - Renewables - Transactional,Environmental Law - Transactions & Compliance,Environmental and Land Use - General