This position is an integral member of ClientEarth’s UK Geography Team. The Lawyer, UK Environment will advocate for strong environmental protection across the UK. They will use the law and legal strategies to strengthen and improve environmental protections in the UK. 

The UK’s environmental law framework has changed following the UK’s departure from the EU and is evolving further under new UK Government leadership.  A central component of the Lawyer’s job is to understand the changes already made (both to substantive laws and governance frameworks) and recognise and respond to future proposals. 

The role covers a broad spectrum of work, including working on UK climate and environment policy, legislation and guidance. Additionally, the role has responsibilities related to ClientEarth’s work on the UK’s compliance with the Aarhus Convention on access to information, public participation and access to justice in environmental matters. The position will conduct legal analysis and advocacy to support the work of the team and the wider UK environmental community, including developing and supporting litigation strategies. The successful candidate will work in close cooperation with and support the partnerships, coalitions and networks in which ClientEarth is active, as well as, where appropriate, engaging with parliamentarians, government and other stakeholders and supporting social and traditional media strategies. 

Meet your Manager

In this role, you will be managed by Kyle Lischak.  Kyle joined ClientEarth in 2021.   He is a solicitor qualified in England & Wales and a  New York qualified lawyer.  Before joining ClientEarth, he worked extensively across the private and public sector in both the UK and the US, with substantial time spent as a lawyer in the UK civil service focussing on environmental matters.   He leads ClientEarth's UK Geography team to design and implement ambitious legal strategies focussed on systemic impact both in the UK and globally

Main Duties

• Carry out legal research and analysis; critically analyse laws, legislative proposals and policy proposals relating to the UK’s protection of the environment. 
• Prepare legal and policy briefings and analysis both for ClientEarth and its NGO partners, and for public and political audiences 
• Where appropriate, support ClientEarth in bringing strategic litigation or other enforcement strategies in the UK relating to the team’s objectives. 
• Initiate and build good relationships with stakeholders in the UK and internationally (where required), NGOs (both environmental and wider civil society), institutions working on science and policy, MPs, civil servants and government advisers. 

See the job description (below) for a full list of duties for this role.

Role requirements

• University Law degree or equivalent 
• Current legal qualification in the UK
• Understanding of UK administrative processes, including judicial review and domestic legislative and parliamentary processes at Westminster and/or the devolved legislatures
• Familiarity with the framing and functioning of environmental law across the UK including in the devolved administrations

See the job description (below) for a full list of requirements for this role.

Note to candidates: We know that long lists of criteria can be daunting and that some candidates will not apply for a role unless they feel they are 100% qualified. If you feel you meet at least some of the essential criteria, we still encourage you to apply.

Further Information

Have a question about this job? Please visit our Careers site for advice on applying, FAQs, and more.

Flexible working:  We are proud to be a Flexa accredited Employer. Visit our Flexa Employer page for more information on our approach to flexible working. Our flexible working policy allows our people the choice to decide to work from home/another location in the country where their contract of employment is issued for 80% of their month, with the other 20% of their month being office-based  See our Benefits page for more as well as our flexible working FAQ.

ClientEarth values diversity and inclusion and the benefits this brings. We aim to appoint the most suitable candidate at all times and welcome applications from people from all different backgrounds. See our equity, diversity and inclusion journey page for more.

Please note that ClientEarth is only able to employ those who have the pre-existing legal right to work in the UK.

ClientEarth is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice or legal services to third parties.