Environmental Litigation & Mass Tort Associate

Direct Counsel is seeking an Environmental Litigation Associate to join a premier Environmental Litigation and Mass Tort practice in Washington, D.C. This is an exceptional opportunity for an attorney looking to work on sophisticated environmental enforcement actions, regulatory disputes, and high-profile litigation matters involving complex federal environmental laws and regulations.

The ideal candidate will have experience handling environmental litigation matters, a strong understanding of environmental and administrative law, and the ability to navigate complex regulatory frameworks and government enforcement actions.

Responsibilities

• Represent clients in environmental litigation and regulatory enforcement matters
• Advise clients regarding:
  • Federal environmental compliance
  • Government investigations
  • Regulatory enforcement actions
  • Administrative law issues
  • Environmental risk management
• Analyze complex federal environmental statutes, regulations, and enforcement frameworks
• Draft:
  • Motions
  • Briefs
  • Legal memoranda
  • Regulatory submissions
  • Enforcement responses
• Conduct legal research and factual investigations
• Assist clients in responding to agency inquiries and enforcement proceedings
• Work closely with technical experts, consultants, and client stakeholders
• Manage litigation and regulatory projects with increasing independence and client responsibility
• Participate in all phases of litigation, administrative proceedings, and settlement negotiations

Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited law school
• Law school class years 2019–2023
• Experience with environmental litigation matters, preferably at the federal level
• Strong understanding of:
  • Environmental law
  • Administrative law
  • Federal regulatory frameworks
  • Government enforcement processes
• Ability to analyze complex and technical regulatory schemes
• Excellent legal research, writing, and analytical skills
• Strong project management and organizational abilities
• Ability to work independently and manage matters with minimal supervision
• Outstanding academic credentials

Preferred Experience

• Government-side enforcement experience
• Experience with federal environmental agencies
• Experience working with the U.S. Department of Justice
• Civil environmental litigation
• Regulatory investigations and enforcement matters

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary range: $260,000 – $420,000
• Compensation based on experience, qualifications, and other operational considerations
• Discretionary performance-based bonus opportunities
• Comprehensive healthcare benefits
• Retirement benefits
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Paid vacation and sick time
• Parental leave
• Basic life insurance

Why This Opportunity

• Join a highly regarded Environmental Litigation and Mass Tort practice
• Work on sophisticated environmental enforcement and regulatory matters
• Gain meaningful client contact and responsibility early in your career
• Collaborate with leading environmental litigators and regulatory practitioners
• Exposure to complex, high-profile environmental disputes and investigations
• Strong mentorship, professional development, and long-term career growth opportunities

Direct Counsel is committed to connecting exceptional legal talent with premier law firms and fostering inclusive hiring practices.