Environment & Land Use Associate Attorney

• Job Title: Environment & Land Use Associate Attorney
• Employment Type: Full-Time
• Work Model: Hybrid, San Francisco Office
• Location: San Francisco, CA
• Compensation: $260,000–$275,000 Base Salary + Discretionary Bonus

About the Role

We're working with an established California law firm seeking an Environment & Land Use Associate Attorney to join its San Francisco practice.

This position focuses on land use, environmental law, CEQA, regulatory matters, and project development. The attorney will work on a range of regulatory, administrative, transactional, and litigation matters involving real estate development, natural resources, and environmental compliance.

The ideal candidate has 3–6 years of relevant experience , including recent law firm experience and meaningful exposure to land use and environmental matters.

The firm offers a competitive compensation structure, a hybrid work environment, and relocation assistance for qualified candidates interested in moving to San Francisco.

What You'll Be Doing

• Advise clients on land use, environmental, and regulatory matters.
• Handle matters involving CEQA, environmental review, permitting, and project approvals.
• Assist clients with regulatory and administrative proceedings related to development projects.
• Work on environmental and land use litigation, including writ proceedings.
• Research and analyze environmental regulations and land use requirements.
• Support matters involving public lands, natural resources, and energy development.
• Draft legal memoranda, correspondence, regulatory submissions, and other legal documents.
• Work directly with attorneys and clients on complex environmental and land use matters.

What We're Looking For

• 3–6 years of relevant legal experience preferred.
• Active membership in good standing with the State Bar of California .
• Strong background in land use, environmental law, and CEQA .
• At least 3 recent years of law firm experience strongly preferred.
• Experience advising clients on regulatory, administrative, permitting, or project development matters.
• Strong legal research, analysis, and writing skills.
• Ability to manage assignments independently and work effectively with clients and other attorneys.

Preferred Background

• NEPA and federal environmental regulatory matters.
• Land use litigation, including writs of mandate.
• Public lands and natural resources.
• Real estate transactions involving development or land use issues.
• Environmental litigation and administrative proceedings.

Work Model

This position is based in the firm's San Francisco office , with a hybrid schedule generally involving 3–4 days onsite per week .

Candidates outside the Bay Area who are interested in relocating are encouraged to apply. Relocation assistance is available for qualified candidates.

Compensation

Base Salary: $260,000–$275,000

In addition to base salary, the firm offers a discretionary bonus opportunity tied to performance.

Associates meeting the firm's performance standards, including approximately 1,900 annual billable hours , may reasonably expect total annual compensation of approximately $425,000–$475,000 , inclusive of base salary and discretionary bonus. Actual bonuses are not guaranteed and depend on applicable performance and firm criteria.

Additional bonus opportunities may be available for hours billed and collected above 1,900 and for originated business.