Environment and Planning Solicitor

Environment & Planning Associate – 12-Month Fixed-Term Contract

A leading law firm is seeking an Environment & Planning Associate to join their team on a 12-month fixed-term contract. The team advises on a broad mix of environmental law, energy and utilities regulation, carbon markets, climate-related matters, ESG, and real estate/infrastructure planning and consenting. The successful candidate will have exposure to both advisory and transactional matters, as well as occasional disputes/litigation work.

Responsibilities

You will support the senior lawyers within the team and handle a varied workload across the full breadth of the practice, including:

Environmental, Health & Safety (EHS) and ESG

• Drafting and negotiating environmental warranties and indemnities for corporate and real estate transactions.
• Advising on standalone environmental law issues, including contaminated land and chemicals regulation.
• Supporting on ESG and climate-related disclosures, due diligence, and regulatory developments.

Energy, Utilities & Infrastructure

• Drafting and negotiating documentation for transactions and projects in the energy space.
• Reviewing and reporting on planning, environmental and energy-related due diligence for energy and infrastructure investments.
• Advising on regulatory frameworks governing electricity generation, transmission, distribution and supply, as well as broader utilities regulation.

Carbon Markets & Climate

• Advising on emissions trading, voluntary carbon credit purchase agreements, and investments in carbon reduction or removal projects.

Planning & Consenting

• Advising clients throughout the planning process, including review of planning applications, statutory agreements and inquiries.
• Supporting on consenting issues for major energy and infrastructure projects, including development consent orders, compulsory purchase and highways matters.

Candidate Profile

• Experience in one or more of: environmental law, energy regulation, carbon markets, planning, infrastructure or ESG.
• Exposure to advising corporates, investors and financial institutions in relevant sectors.
• Experience drafting and negotiating documents, producing complex legal analysis and liaising with clients, regulators and counterparties.
• Strong understanding of evolving ESG and climate-related regulatory issues.

If you are interested in this position and would like more information, please apply or contact chloe.graham@ssq.com