Job Description
Job DescriptionEnvironmental Associate Attorney
Location Options: Austin, Dallas, Houston, or Washington, D.C.
Direct Counsel is seeking an Environmental Associate with 2–4 years of experience to join a leading law firm with a nationally regarded environmental and energy practice. The position may be based in any of the firm’s Texas offices (Austin, Dallas, or Houston) or in Washington, D.C., offering a flexible platform to build and deepen experience in complex regulatory, transactional, and litigation work.
This is an opportunity to be part of a collaborative and high-performing team that advises a broad spectrum of clients—from energy companies to developers—on cutting-edge environmental compliance, risk management, ESG matters, and administrative litigation.
Key Responsibilities:
-
Advise on environmental aspects of corporate and real estate transactions, including due diligence and risk mitigation strategies
-
Counsel clients on compliance with federal and state environmental statutes, including:
-
RCRA, CERCLA, CAA, CWA, TSCA, FIFRA, NEPA, ESA, and state equivalents
-
-
Assist in enforcement actions, regulatory investigations, and related defense strategy
-
Work on climate disclosure and ESG-related regulatory requirements
-
Handle litigation and administrative challenges involving federal and state agencies, particularly under the Administrative Procedure Act and core environmental laws
-
Provide industry-focused guidance to energy-sector clients, including oil & gas, renewables, and transitional energy companies
-
Analyze legal implications of offshore and public land activity under OCSLA and similar frameworks (preferred but not required)
Preferred Background:
-
Private practice or in-house experience representing clients in the energy industry
-
Exposure to public lands and offshore regulatory issues under OCSLA or BLM guidelines
-
Demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities and work across multidisciplinary teams
Qualifications:
-
JD from an accredited law school
-
2–4 years of experience in environmental law
-
Licensed to practice in Texas or Washington, D.C., or eligible to waive in
-
Excellent academic credentials and strong legal research and writing skills
-
Collaborative and proactive mindset, with a willingness to work on a variety of matters across jurisdictions
Compensation:
-
This position may be filled in Washington, D.C. or Austin, TX
-
Salary Range: $235,000 – $310,000/year (actual compensation will depend on experience and qualifications)