Environmental Lawyer Career Profile

What the role involves

Environmental Lawyers advise on laws relating to planning, pollution, biodiversity, water, land use, heritage, mining, climate, approvals, enforcement, development assessment and administrative decision-making.

They may work on litigation, regulatory advice, due diligence, approvals, compliance, policy reform, landholder matters, corporate transactions or public interest cases.

Typical employers

Environmental Lawyer roles in Australia may be found with:

• law firms with planning, environment or resources practices
• government legal and regulatory agencies
• environmental defenders and public interest legal centres
• corporate legal teams
• planning and infrastructure organisations
• mining, energy and development companies
• consultancies and policy organisations

Key tasks

• advise on environmental, planning and natural resource legislation
• prepare legal advice, submissions, contracts or court documents
• represent clients in tribunals, courts or regulatory processes
• support environmental approvals, compliance and due diligence
• interpret licence conditions, enforcement notices or planning instruments
• work with experts such as ecologists, planners, engineers and consultants
• negotiate agreements and help manage legal risk

Skills and qualities

Environmental Lawyer work suits people with a mix of environmental knowledge, communication and practical judgement. Useful skills and qualities include:

• strong legal analysis and statutory interpretation
• excellent written and oral communication
• attention to detail and evidence
• understanding of environmental, planning and administrative law
• ability to work with technical experts and complex project information
• negotiation, advocacy and client-management skills
• interest in environmental policy, conservation, land use and regulation

Qualifications and pathways

Useful study options and pathways may include:

• Law degree with admission to legal practice
• Environmental law, planning law, climate law or natural resource management subjects may be useful
• Practical Legal Training and practising certificate requirements apply
• postgraduate study or experience in planning, environment, resources, government or litigation can be valuable

Environmental Lawyers may progress into Senior Associate, Special Counsel, Partner, Government Lawyer, General Counsel, Policy Advisor, Planning and Environment Law Specialist or Legal Director roles.

Salary and job outlook

Environmental Lawyer salaries can vary widely depending on years post-admission, firm size, sector, location, practice area, litigation experience, government level and whether the role is in private practice, public interest law, corporate law or government. Specialist planning and environment lawyers with strong technical experience may attract higher pay.

Where jobs are usually found in Australia

Jobs are found in capital cities, major law firms, government agencies, public interest legal organisations, planning and environment practices, corporate legal teams and project-based legal advisory work.

Tips for getting started

• complete a law degree and admission pathway
• choose environmental, planning, administrative or climate law electives where available
• seek clerkships, internships or volunteering in planning, environment, government or public interest law
• build strong statutory interpretation, writing and advocacy skills
• learn how environmental approvals and expert evidence work

Related environmental careers

• Environmental Policy Officer
• Environmental Impact Assessment Consultant
• Environmental Compliance Officer
• Environmental Consultant
• Urban Planner
• Environmental Manager
• Climate Risk Analyst