Land Use Counsel (7+ years experience)

Job Description

Job Description

Van Ness Feldman is seeking a land use attorney with at least 7 years of relevant experience in the areas of land use, environmental, or municipal law to join our Environmental, Land Use, Natural Resources, and Real Estate team. The ideal candidate will be based in our Seattle office. 

Who We Are

Our robust land use team is well regarded for our successful representation of major private and public sector clients in permitting complex development projects. The team has significant experience interpreting and navigating state and local land use and environmental regulations and is highly sought-after for our unparalleled relationships with local, state, and federal agency officials and their attorneys, which allows us to quickly assess implications of proposed development. Providing the full-range of land use counsel—from conception through permitting to construction—our team regularly works with engineers, economists, scientists, planners, and elected officials to understand unique local circumstances in permitting all types of proposed development.

What You’ll Do

The successful candidate will work alongside senior members of our land use team or lead our land use associates or planners on a broad range of matters for the firm’s long standing clients in the energy, public utility, municipal, commercial, and residential sectors. Responsibilities for this position will include land use litigation, due diligence, securing and defending entitlements, and strategic counsel.

Skills and Qualifications:

Role Specific Skills and Experience 

• Experience in the interpretation, compliance, and defense of actions under Washington State's planning and land use statutes including the Growth Management Act (GMA), Planning Enabling Act, Local Project Review Statute (ch. 36.70B RCW), and Shoreline Management Act (SMA), as well as other state regulations governing development, and accompanying environmental review pursuant to the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA)
• Experience representing clients in local and state administrative litigation proceedings, including before Hearing Examiners, City and County Councils, the Shorelines Hearings Board, Pollution Control Hearings Board, Growth Management Hearings Board and in related judicial appeals, including appeals pursuant to the Administrative Procedures Act and the Land Use Petition Act.

Basic Qualifications

• Graduated with a JD or LLM from an ABA-accredited law school
• Active admission or eligibility for admission in the jurisdiction in which the candidate will practice
• 7+ of experience

Preferred Qualifications 

• Multiple years of experience first-chairing land use, environmental, or related matters in the private or public sector
• Strong organizational and time management skills, with attention to detail and accuracy
• Excellent research, drafting, and writing skills, and ability to produce high-quality work on tight timelines 
• Excellent oral communication skills including the ability to communicate clearly, directly, and practically with clients and colleagues 
• Ability to manage matters independently and proactively drive work forward 
• Ability to quickly learn new issues and apply that understanding in practice 

About Us

Van Ness Feldman is a nationally recognized law firm focused on energy, environmental, and natural resources law and policy. Home to 100 attorneys and policy professionals, the Firm has offices in Washington, DC; Seattle; the Bay Area; Houston; and Louisiana. For nearly 50 years, the Firm has provided strategic business advice, legislative and policy advocacy, legal and regulatory compliance counsel, representation in administrative proceedings and litigation, and support for project development, permitting, and transactions.

In addition to joining an active and highly collaborative team, the candidate will be part of a Firm that is committed to supporting a healthy work/life balance. Attorneys are expected to be in the office at least three days a week / twelve days a month, but scheduling is flexible. The Firm rewards attorneys who exceed the target with a generous bonus. The culture at VNF relies on mutual respect, appreciation, and support. A focus on professional development is central, including regular feedback and training opportunities. VNF seeks individuals who share this approach and bring a collaborative mindset and take pride in thoughtful, high-quality work. 

Van Ness Feldman is an Equal Opportunity Employer. 

For this position, the good-faith annual base salary for this position is $205,000 - $235,000, depending on experience, qualifications, and office location. In addition to base salary, compensation may include a bonus based on hours and other applicable criteria. The Firm also offers a competitive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k) profit-sharing plan, paid time off, paid holidays, parental leave, life and disability insurance, employee assistance resources, and professional development opportunities.

Applicants who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or interview process may contact View email address on us.fitly.work.