Leonard Adler
Leonard Adler Green Jobs Network
Matthew Karmel
Matthew Karmel Offit Kurman
Building a Sustainable Future Legal Careers in Climate & Clean Energy
Building a Sustainable Future: Legal Careers in Climate & Clean Energy

Would you like to use your legal skills to make a positive impact on the environment? In this presentation, Matthew Karmel (Principal, Practice Group Leader - Environmental and Sustainability Law at Offit Kurman and Founder of the Planetary Lawyer Project) and Leonard Adler (CEO of Green Jobs Network) will provide an overview of career opportunities for lawyers in fields such as sustainability and clean energy, share stories of attorneys who have made a successful career shift into these fields, and provide job search tips and resources. New and experienced attorneys are welcome!

Topics covered include: Law Practice Management
Duration of this webinar: 60 minutes
Originally broadcast: December 19, 2024 12:00 PM PT
Webinar Highlights

This webinar is divided into section summaries, which you can scan for key points and then dive into the sections that interest you the most.

Introduction and Overview
The session aims to provide practical job search tips and resources, with Leonard and Matthew sharing their expertise on legal careers in climate and clean energy. Leonard defines 'climate jobs' and 'green jobs' as opportunities with positive social or environmental benefits, highlighting the importance of both environmental and social impacts. He discusses the broad range of sectors where these jobs can be found, including public, private, and nonprofit sectors, and provides examples of different taxonomies and definitions. Leonard shares his personal career journey, illustrating the theme that there are multiple pathways to making an impact in the green and climate sectors. He emphasizes the importance of being both optimistic and realistic about job prospects in the growing field of green and climate jobs, citing trends in renewable energy and electric vehicles. He highlights the diverse range of jobs available in the renewable energy sector, including managerial and professional positions, and emphasizes the importance of finding a niche within the field.
Legal Roles in Climate and Sustainability
Matthew introduces the Planetary Lawyer Project, which shares job openings and tips for lawyers interested in climate work. He defines climate jobs as those with a social or environmental impact and discusses the potential for lawyers to make a difference in climate-intensive industries. Matthew emphasizes the importance of finding a personal connection to an industry rather than simply following trends. He shares insights from the Planetary Lawyer Project's job data, noting the diversity of industries and roles available, and he encourages lawyers to apply their existing skills to climate work.
Job Search Strategies and Tips
Matthew shares his personal journey into climate law, emphasizing the importance of following one's passion and leveraging existing skills. He describes his involvement in industry groups and pro bono work, which helped him build a reputation and gain experience in the climate sector. Matthew shares his successful transition to leading an environmental and sustainability practice at a national law firm, demonstrating the potential for growth in the field. He advises lawyers to immerse themselves in specific industries and engage in activities that align with their interests, such as writing articles and attending conferences. Matthew also highlights the importance of visibility and collaboration in building a career in climate law.
Exploring and Transitioning to Green Legal Careers
Leonard builds on Matthew's insights by discussing job search strategies and tips for those exploring or searching for green and climate jobs. He emphasizes the importance of understanding whether one is in an exploratory or searching phase and provides tips for each stage. Leonard highlights the value of attending events, joining communities, and connecting with people in the field to gain insights and uncover job opportunities. He discusses the use of job boards, fellowships, and direct applications to uncover opportunities. Leonard advises job seekers to follow industry trends and funding to identify potential job opportunities, and highlights the role of startups and incubators in creating new positions. He concludes by emphasizing the importance of building a strong online profile and utilizing resources like the Climate Career Hub to access job opportunities and industry insights.

Please note this AI-generated summary provides a general overview of the webinar but may not capture all details, nuances, or the exact words of the speaker. For complete accuracy, please refer to the original webinar recording.

Speakers
Leonard Adler
Leonard Adler CEO
Green Jobs Network

Leonard Adler is the CEO of Green Jobs Network (GJN), a leading online career platform he founded in 2008 that serves individuals and employers in green and climate job sectors such as conservation, sustainability, and clean energy. Read More ›

Matthew Karmel
Matthew Karmel Practice Group Leader
Offit Kurman

Matthew Karmel is passionate about sustainability and the environment and has been widely recognized for his influence and leadership in the field. As the head of the firm’s Environmental and Sustainability Law practice area, he represents a wide variety of businesses and individuals in connection with the full range of environmental matters. From Fortune 100 companies to individual homeowners, Matthew provides clients with practical and common-sense environmental counsel, including in the following areas: Read More ›

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