Land Use & Environmental Attorney (Of Counsel)

Los Angeles, California | Full Time | Salary | Exempt | $250,000–$340,000 annually + benefits

ABOUT THE ROLE

Are you ready to work on the projects that shape California's communities while leaving behind the bureaucracy and limited growth opportunities that often come with traditional legal practice? We are seeking an experienced Land Use & Environmental Attorney (Of Counsel) to join a nationally respected California practice advising public agencies, developers, businesses, and institutions on complex land use, environmental, and regulatory matters. This role is ideal for an attorney with deep experience in California land use law, CEQA, zoning, planning, permitting, and environmental compliance who enjoys solving sophisticated legal challenges while working alongside highly regarded practitioners. You'll have the opportunity to counsel clients through every stage of the entitlement process, collaborate across multiple practice areas, and contribute to meaningful projects that have a lasting impact throughout California.

WHY YOU'LL LOVE WORKING HERE!

• Competitive salary of $250,000–$340,000
• Hybrid work environment supporting flexibility and work-life integration
• Work on high-profile California development, infrastructure, renewable energy, housing, and public sector projects
• Collaborative team culture that values mentorship, knowledge sharing, and professional growth
• Sophisticated and intellectually challenging legal work without sacrificing collegiality
• Opportunity to build long-term client relationships and serve as a trusted advisor
• Strong administrative and practice support so attorneys can focus on high-value legal work
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) retirement savings plan
• Generous paid time off and firm-recognized holidays
• Continuing Legal Education (CLE) support and ongoing professional development
• Stable, well-established practice with an excellent reputation throughout California

WHAT YOU'LL DO

• Advise clients on California land use, environmental, and regulatory law
• Counsel clients through land use entitlements, discretionary approvals, and permitting processes
• Interpret and apply the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and related environmental regulations
• Provide strategic guidance regarding planning and zoning ordinances, General Plans, Specific Plans, and local development regulations
• Navigate complex environmental review and compliance matters
• Develop legal strategies that help clients secure project approvals while mitigating legal and regulatory risk
• Draft legal memoranda, opinions, agreements, regulatory documents, and client correspondence
• Represent clients before planning commissions, city councils, county boards, and regulatory agencies
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary legal teams serving both public and private sector clients
• Conduct sophisticated legal research and analysis on evolving California land use and environmental issues
• Handle land use and environmental litigation matters, if applicable
• Build and maintain strong client relationships through exceptional legal counsel and responsiveness

WHAT MAKES YOU A GREAT FIT

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an ABA-accredited law school
• Active member in good standing with the California State Bar
• Minimum 7 years of experience practicing California land use and environmental law
• Extensive experience with:
• • California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
  • Land use entitlements
  • Planning and zoning regulations
  • Environmental permitting
  • California land development processes
• Exceptional legal research, writing, negotiation, and communication skills
• Ability to independently manage multiple sophisticated matters while meeting deadlines
• Strong client counseling and relationship management skills
• Strategic thinker with excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities
• Writing sample required as part of the application process

Preferred

• Experience handling land use and environmental litigation
• Experience representing both public agencies and private-sector clients
• Experience with large-scale development or infrastructure projects
• Existing relationships within California's planning, development, or municipal communities
• Business development experience or interest in expanding client relationships

ABOUT THE FIRM

This established California law firm is recognized for advising clients on some of the state's most complex and impactful legal matters. With offices throughout California, the firm represents public agencies, private companies, developers, educational institutions, and nonprofit organizations across a wide range of practice areas. Attorneys benefit from a collaborative environment that encourages mentorship, cross-practice teamwork, and long-term professional development. Rather than emphasizing billable hours alone, the firm values quality client service, practical legal solutions, and creating opportunities for attorneys to grow their practices while maintaining a healthy work-life balance. The organization is committed to fostering an inclusive workplace where diverse perspectives strengthen client outcomes and professional success.

ABOUT THE LOCATION - LOS ANGELES

In Los Angeles, you'll enjoy access to some of California's most dynamic legal markets and highest-profile development projects. Los Angeles provides unmatched opportunities within one of the nation's largest legal, commercial, entertainment, and infrastructure markets. Relocation candidates will find the offers outstanding professional opportunities alongside an exceptional quality of life.

DISCLOSURES

• Salary Transparency: The anticipated annual base salary for this position is $250,000–$340,000. Actual compensation will depend on factors including experience, qualifications, geographic location, skills, internal equity, and business needs.
• Work Authorization: Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without current or future employer sponsorship.
• Application Requirement: A writing sample is required as part of the application process.
• Equal Employment Opportunity: We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding or related medical conditions, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, military or veteran status, reproductive health decision-making, or any other status protected by applicable federal, California, state, or local law.
• Reasonable Accommodation: Reasonable accommodations will be provided throughout the application and interview process for qualified individuals with disabilities and for sincerely held religious beliefs, in accordance with applicable law.
• Pay Transparency: Compensation decisions are made based on qualifications, experience, geographic location, and business needs, consistent with applicable federal and California pay transparency laws.

Reference #: BSS 25-03433