Planning & Environment Lawyer

The Opportunity

This international law firm is looking for an Environment & Planning Lawyer to join its reputable team based in their Sydney CBD office. The Environment and Planning team is part of the wider Commercial Real Estate practice group. You’ll contribute to high‑impact legal matters supporting Australia’s renewable energy transition, working across advisory, transactional, and strategic litigation matters. The team is nationally and internationally integrated, offering both local and cross-border exposure.

What you'll need to succeed

• At least 1 years’ PQE in environment, climate change, and major projects for energy and technology transitions (e.g. wind farms, solar farms, pumped hydro, data centres, automated warehousing).
• Experience in top‑tier or leading teams, ideally with tipstaff exposure in the Land and Environment Court or equivalent.
• Strong academic background, with electives in environment, sustainability, administrative or international law viewed favourably.
• Exceptional advocacy skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to communicate persuasively and with emotional intelligence.
• A preference for a mixed practice (advisory, transactional, litigation), with interest in landmark cases supporting the renewable energy transition.
• Commitment to mastering environment legislation and case law, including planning approvals, contaminated land, prosecutions, climate change risks (sustainability reporting, directors’ duties, greenwashing), environmental markets (carbon credits and nature repair), and compulsory acquisition.
• Familiarity with policy and regulatory frameworks, enabling effective negotiations with regulators and decision‑makers.
• Curiosity for jurisdictions beyond NSW and enthusiasm for working in an elite, integrated team.
• Strong networking and relationship‑building skills, with courage to think independently and ambition to help shape the future of environment law in Australia.