Location: All New York and Connecticut offices (Hybrid opportunity)
Experience Level: Minimum of 8 years of experience practicing U.S. environmental law with significant experience in energy, infrastructure, or large-scale development projects.
About the Role: Harris Beach Murtha seeks a highly experienced environmental attorney to join our firm as a Partner or Senior Counsel in our Environmental and Commercial Real Estate Practice Groups, and Energy Industry Team.
The Environmental Attorney will have the opportunity to:- Advise clients on federal and state environmental regulations, including CERCLA, CAA, RCRA, ECL, SEQRA, and NAV matters
- Represent clients in environmental permitting, compliance, enforcement, and regulatory matters
- Structure, negotiate, and close complex commercial real estate transactions involving acquisitions, leasing, financing, and development projects
- Lead environmental due diligence efforts for mergers and acquisitions, project finance, and real estate transactions
- Draft and negotiate environmental provisions within purchase, sale, financing, and development agreements
- Manage permitting and approval processes related to air, water, wetlands, energy, and infrastructure projects
- Advise clients on remediation and risk mitigation strategies for contaminated properties, including Brownfield redevelopment projects
- Collaborate with developers, sponsors, lenders, utilities, and project stakeholders to evaluate environmental risks and project feasibility
- Review and assess Phase I and Phase II Environmental Site Assessments and other technical environmental reports
- Counsel clients on ESA compliance, land use issues, utility commission proceedings, and habitat conservation planning
- Analyze title, survey, and environmental due diligence materials related to real estate and development projects
- Provide strategic guidance regarding NYC Local Law 97, CLCPA compliance, carbon capture and storage initiatives, carbon markets, and energy transition matters
- Work collaboratively with attorneys across the firm's Environmental, Commercial Real Estate, Energy, Land Use, and Infrastructure Practice Groups
Work Environment and Expectations:- Hybrid work opportunity available from any Harris Beach Murtha office in New York or Connecticut
- Minimum annual billable requirement of 1800 hours
- Opportunity to advise clients on complex environmental, real estate, infrastructure, and energy-related projects throughout the region
Applications are encouraged and desired if you have:- Juris Doctor from an ABA-accredited law school
- Admission to the New York State Bar (required); Connecticut or Massachusetts admission, or ability to waive in, is a plus
- Extensive experience with environmental permitting, regulatory compliance, enforcement, and transactional environmental matters
- Significant experience supporting energy, infrastructure, and large-scale development projects, including project permitting, regulatory compliance, and transactional matters
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively across multidisciplinary teams and with diverse stakeholders
- Strong understanding of environmental risk allocation and legal frameworks affecting deal structure and project finance transactions
- Portable book of business is welcomed but not required
- In-depth knowledge of NEPA, CERCLA, RCRA, ESA, UIC, and related environmental permitting and regulatory frameworks
- Experience drafting and negotiating sophisticated environmental contracts and transaction documents
- Ability to analyze technical environmental data and advise clients on legal and business implications
- Experience managing regulatory timelines and coordinating with governmental agencies, consultants, and project teams
- Familiarity with carbon markets, energy transition initiatives, and environmental considerations affecting domestic and international infrastructure projects
- Excellent communication, client service, and business judgment skills
- Military experience welcome
Salary information below will vary depending upon relevant experience for the position, book of business, and geographic locations. This role also offers an opportunity for performance-based bonus eligibility.Albany, Buffalo, Ithaca, Rochester, Syracuse, NY: $160,000 - $250,000
Long Island (Uniondale) and White Plains, NY: $170,000 - $250,000
New York, NY: $180,000 - $250,000
