Environmental Partner

Job Description

Gould & Ratner LLP is seeking a Partner to head an Environmental Practice at the firm. The ideal candidate will have at least ten years of experience working in the area of Environmental Law, focused primarily on CERCLA and other environmental liabilities in the context of mergers and acquisitions, including insurance procurement and the ability to act as lead environmental counsel on same.  The candidate should also have experience with permitting and compliance issues under federal and state environmental laws and have worked with environmental agencies in that context. In that regard, litigation experience is a plus. The firm represents companies with nationwide and international operations, so the ability easily to ascertain appropriate regulations and to provide client counsel regarding same is paramount.

Candidates can look forward to a practice that will include handling all aspects of environmental concern for sophisticated clients of all sizes and across industries. This attorney will gain direct client interaction, business development experience and significant responsibility on complex and sophisticated legal matters. This is an excellent opportunity for an attorney who is highly motivated and seeking a positive career trajectory.

More information and highlights about the firm’s historical Environmental Practice can be found here - https://www.gouldratner.com/service-area/environmental

Requirements

• 10+ years of experience practicing environmental law, including:
• Significant experience assessing environmental risk through the due diligence process and determining proper allocation of same in M&A transactions, including drafting environmental provisions for documents, assessing need for environmental insurance, permitting transfers, etc..
• Experience with hazardous waste disposal issues, including RCRA application and “superfund” (CERLA) liability, including experience representing potentially responsible parties in CERCLA cleanups.
• Significant experience with all appropriate inquiry in the context of CERCLA liability, including ability to critically evaluate Phase I, II ESAs  and other property assessments.
• Experience choosing and working with environmental consultants, working with opposing counsel, and with client communication
• Familiarity with, and excellent research capability over, all areas of environmental law, including CWA, CAA, RCRA, TSCA, ESA and state analogs.
• Additional knowledge/experience with other broad-based aspects of environmental law, such as:
• Emerging contaminants
• Renewable Energy
• Endangered Species law and permitting
• Wetlands delineations and governing law
• Corporate Environmental Stewardship
• Strong analytical, interpersonal and communication skills. The ideal candidate has the ability to work as part of a team while also having the confidence and demeanor to assume individual responsibility for matters involving direct client interaction. This attorney will serve as business advisor to clients, guiding them in a full range of legal matters throughout their life cycle.
• Candidates must be currently licensed in Illinois or Colorado, or licensed in another state with a UBE score that qualifies in Illinois or Colorado for comity, be eligible to waive in, or be willing to sit for an upcoming IL or CO bar exam (open to relocation candidates that meet these requirements).

Benefits

·         Comprehensive benefit package and competitive salary - more info can be found here https://www.gouldratner.com/uploaded_images/GR-salary%20scale-benefits-page-2-01-21-25.pdf

·         Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance.

·         Profit sharing plan & 401k.

·         Generous vacation, personal, & sick time allowance.

·         Low turnover, collegial and collaborative environment.

·         Emphasis on professional & business development.

·         Hybrid in-office/remote role