Building a Sustainable Career in Environmental Law

Mar 08, 2024

Written By Georgia Purcell

Environmental law is an area of the legal profession that has grown in importance, playing a crucial role in regulating human activities that impact the environment. If you have your sights set on life as an environmental lawyer, you’ll play an important role in advocating for environmental protection and sustainability and contributing to the greater good! As environmental concerns continue to escalate globally, there’s an increasing demand for people like you who want to specialise in environmental law. If this is you, you’re in the right place, as this article guides you through how to build a sustainable career in environmental law.

Understanding Environmental Law

Environmental law is a dynamic and constantly changing field that deals with the legal aspects of environmental protection and sustainability. It is an area of law that firms are increasingly realising is vital for their development.

Environmental law encompasses a wide range of issues, from pollution control to land usage, wildlife conservation to climate change. It also spans a broad spectrum of legal instruments, like statutes, regulations, common law principles, and even international treaties.

These tools are designed to help regulate human activities that impact the environment – the Environmental Protection Act, for example, covers issues all the way from waste management to environmental permitting, whilst the Climate Change Act is a pioneering piece of legislation that regulates greenhouse gas emissions.

Environmental law is constantly changing and developing as we learn more about the way our activities impact the world, and so continuous professional development is vital if you want to stay on top of your game as an environmental lawyer.

Pathways into Environmental Law

To enter into the environmental law sphere, you’re going to need a solid foundation of legal education and a strong understanding of environmental policies. Often, this will look like an undergraduate law degree with a postgraduate specialisation in environmental law.

However, you can still be an environmental lawyer without a law undergraduate degree! Non-law degrees like environmental sciences or a related field can provide a strong foundation for a qualifying post-grad law degree.

Real-world experience will also complement your academic learning, particularly in the environmental law sector. You can look at gaining practical experience through internships or volunteering, which will also help you to develop your network within your niche.

Skills and Attributes for Success

Although your legal knowledge is a huge part of the profession, your skills don’t stop there! You need strong analytical skills to help you interpret complex legal documents and analyse niche scientific data, as well as effective communication and negotiation skills to present your legal arguments.

You’ll likely work alongside clients and regulators, so make sure your communication is not a skill you’ve left behind! As always, time management is absolutely key for functioning as a lawyer and ensuring that you’re as efficient as you can be.

Ultimately, however, remember that all of these skills add up to nothing without a genuine passion for environmental science and the causes you’ll be working for, so make sure this passion comes through in your applications.

Building Experience and Expertise

Volunteering positions are always a win – they let you demonstrate your genuine passion for environmental causes whilst awarding you experience AND looking great on your CV! Whilst volunteering, you will be able to get some hands-on experience, contribute to meaningful cases and even develop your network.

The best place to find volunteering roles is within legal aid clinics and environmental organisations – they’ll certainly be grateful for your help! Joining environmental associations opens doors to meeting more people within your niche and exposing you to opportunities that otherwise might not be on your radar.

Navigating Career Progression

Starting at junior levels in firms is a sensible way into the environmental sector – roles as legal assistants or legal associates can give you a stepping stone into your area of the firm. There are often advancement opportunities within firms, including roles as senior associates and partners.

By moving into more niche areas like renewable energy law, climate change litigation, and conservation law, you’ll also provide yourself with a unique edge and increase your employability prospects.

Maintaining Work-Life Balance and Wellbeing

Balancing a successful career in environmental law with personal wellbeing is crucial. There’s no point being a top environmental lawyer if you’re not looking after yourself whilst you’re doing it!

Make sure to integrate self-care techniques into your weekly routine – like exercise, meditation, and hanging out with people you love. Master your stress management techniques and ensure you’re setting boundaries when you need them.

Achieving a healthy work-life balance might seem difficult, but set yourself realistic goals and ask for help when you need it - nothing is worth sacrificing your health for.

Conclusion

The journey to a successful career in environmental law involves WAY more than just mastering the legal aspects. It requires you to hone your existing skills whilst developing new ones, focusing on your wellbeing, AND navigating your career direction. No one said it would be easy!

The future of environmental law is bright, and pursuing a career in this area will ensure you’re making a real difference!

Becoming a Lawyer