Facts You Should Know Before Getting an Environmental Lawyer Job
Environmental law firms handle a variety of cases involving environmental related issues and are one of the best places to get an environmental lawyer job. It is important before searching for a job as an environmental lawyer that you do some research. You want to be sure that you understand what the job entails, the education that you need and what to expect during your job hunt and once you find a job.
Working in Environmental Law:
An environmental lawyer job will involve preparing cases, working with clients and going to trial. Environmental law focuses on cases involving individuals or companies that have violated environmental laws or otherwise threatened the welfare of the environment. A lot of the focus is on businesses that are harming the environment and not following the laws relating to environmental safety.
Education:
To get an environmental lawyer job it is necessary to go to college and law school, plus pass the bar exam in the state or states in which you will practice. Studying to be an environmental lawyer requires taking courses in various areas of law including administrative and alternative dispute resolution. You will also have to take courses specific to environmental law, such as air pollution, conservation, ecology, and Federal Natural Resource law.
Job Outlook and Salary:
A career in environmental law has an average growth estimate as predicted by government economists. As environmental issues continue to dominate the government and the minds of the public, it is possible for growth to be slightly more than predicted. Growth also depends on current environmental lawyers. If there is a surge in retirement, then job openings could be more than expected.
Environmental law salary, as reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2004, was about $73,000 for lawyers working within the government. Salary can vary depending on where you work. Jobs are available from a variety of different employers. These include private firms, various government agencies at different levels of government and businesses of varying sizes. Jobs are available to prosecute against environmental offenders and defend them. The salary can also vary depending on which side of a case you are working.
Getting a job as an environmental lawyer requires some serious commitment. Many lawyers who are involved in this area of law have some personal interest in the environment and are passionate about protecting it or they feel the need to protect those who are being prosecuted for violating environmental laws.
As a lawyer of any kind, it is very important that you are willing to work hard and make your way up the career ladder. Many lawyers start out at the bottom where they mainly handled administrative duties. It takes time to prove yourself as a lawyer and work up to the level where you actually get to go to trial and represent clients in front of a judge or jury. For those that are committed to being an environmental lawyer, it is well worth the years of education and the hard work that it takes to become a respected environmental lawyer.
