Overview

Job Description Job Description 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. The ideal candidate would be based in one of our offices, including Seattle, Houston, Washington, DC, or the Bay Area. We are also open to remote candidates based in the US for this role. Who We AreNatural 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 NHPADraft arguments, pleadings and briefs in federal administrative record litigation under NEPA, the ESA, CWA, and the NHPAParticipate in settlement negotiations with state and federal agencies with respect to compliance with environmental lawsTrack and analyze changes in federal regulations and statutesWork 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, reservoirsWork 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 schoolActive admission or eligibility for admission in the jurisdiction in which the candidate will practice4+ of experience Preferred Qualifications Strong academic credentialsStrong organizational and time management skills, with attention to detail and accuracyExcellent research, drafting, and writing skills, and ability to produce high-quality work on tight timelinesExcellent oral communication skills including the ability to communicate clearly, directly, and practically with clients and colleaguesAbility to take ownership of matters and proactively drive work forwardAbility to quickly learn new issues and apply that understanding in practiceComfort operating with a high degree of autonomy while collaborating closely with a lead partnerAbout UsVan 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 can