Position summary

This is an opportunity for an experienced environment lawyer with strong contract drafting experience to join Pinsent Masons' market-leading environment team. You will work on high-profile, complex matters across environmental, climate change, sustainability, and regulatory law within one of the UK's largest dedicated Planning & Environment teams, alongside leading specialists on major energy, infrastructure, and real estate projects, advising on cutting-edge issues including regulatory frameworks, net zero and carbon strategies, biodiversity, and major infrastructure projects.

Why this role matters

This role provides the legal expertise behind some of the UK's most significant sustainability and infrastructure projects. By advising on environmental regulation, net zero and carbon markets, biodiversity net gain, and nature-based solutions, you help clients navigate complex environmental law while enabling major energy and infrastructure delivery.

Key responsibilities

• Regulatory advice: Advise on environmental regulatory matters, including permitting and compliance.
• Projects and transactions: Support large-scale projects and transactions across the infrastructure and energy sectors.
• Enforcement and risk: Provide guidance on enforcement matters and regulatory risk.
• Contract drafting: Draft and negotiate complex contractual arrangements relating to sustainability and environmental initiatives.
• Innovative areas: Work on carbon markets, biodiversity net gain, and nature-based solutions.
• Client relationships: Build strong client relationships, contribute to business development, and collaborate across the national practice.

Team and stakeholders

You will join Pinsent Masons' Planning & Environment team, the largest of its kind in the UK, collaborating with top-ranked consenting lawyers and colleagues across the firm and supporting major clients including Southern Water, Heathrow Airport, Drax Power Limited, and the Environment Agency.

Requirements:

• An England & Wales qualified lawyer with upwards of 8 years PQE.
• Strong contract drafting experience.
• Ability to deliver technically excellent, commercial advice to a diverse client base across contentious and non-contentious environmental work.
• Strong client relationship and business development skills.