Environmental and Regulatory Associate

We are working with a well-regarded Am Law firm seeking an Environmental Associate to join its Hartford or New Haven office, with Hartford preferred. This is an excellent opportunity for an attorney looking to take on sophisticated environmental matters within a collaborative and nationally respected practice that advises clients across a broad range of industries, including real estate development, energy and infrastructure, manufacturing, healthcare, financial services, and higher education.

The practice handles a wide variety of complex environmental and regulatory matters at the local, state, federal, and international levels. Attorneys in the group work closely with clients on high-level transactional, compliance, permitting, remediation, and enforcement issues, while receiving meaningful client exposure and substantive responsibility.

The ideal candidate will have at least four years of environmental law experience, including substantial exposure to environmental regulatory and transactional matters in Connecticut. Representative experience may include:

• Environmental aspects of mergers, acquisitions, financings, and commercial real estate transactions
• Environmental due diligence and risk allocation
• Permitting, compliance counseling, and regulatory strategy
• Site remediation and brownfield redevelopment matters
• Administrative proceedings and enforcement actions before environmental agencies
• Advising clients on environmental risk mitigation in connection with development and business operations

Experience with environmental litigation, administrative proceedings, and interactions with agencies such as the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Connecticut Siting Council, and the United States Army Corps of Engineers is highly valued.

Additional experience with any of the following is considered a plus:

• Federal environmental, health, and safety statutes and regulations
• Emerging contaminants and evolving regulatory standards
• Massachusetts and/or New York environmental regulatory frameworks
• International chemical regulation and remedial obligations

Candidates should possess:

• Strong legal research, writing, analytical, and communication skills
• Excellent project management and organizational abilities
• A practical, business-oriented approach to problem solving
• The ability to independently manage matters and client relationships
• Strong attention to detail and the ability to work collaboratively within a team environment
• Admission to practice in Connecticut; admission in New York and/or Massachusetts is a plus

This opportunity is ideal for an attorney seeking increased responsibility, direct client engagement, and meaningful involvement in sophisticated environmental matters while working alongside experienced practitioners in a collegial and supportive environment. The firm places a strong emphasis on mentorship, professional development, and long-term career growth, including realistic advancement and partnership opportunities.

The firm offers competitive compensation, bonus potential, a comprehensive benefits package, hybrid work flexibility, and a collaborative culture that encourages both professional excellence and personal well-being.

For consideration, please provide a resume, law school transcript, and a writing sample (preferably, two to three pages from your academic or work experience of which you are the sole author). Cover letters are appreciated but not required.All applications are confidential and NOT shared with employers without the candidate's permission.

Oak Ridge Legal Search and the clients we work with are equal opportunity employers and provide equal opportunity to qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, age, gender, gender identity or expression, marital status, sexual orientation, ancestry, physical or mental disability, veteran status or any other legally protected class in accordance with all applicable laws. If a level of experience is indicated, this is a guideline only and does not preclude applications from candidates with more or less experience.