Location
Primarily Bristol office, with consideration for other Freeths LLP offices across the UK.

Hours
Full Time

Salary
Negotiable

About the Role
Freeths LLP Planning and Environment Group is a multi-disciplinary team of planning lawyers, environmental lawyers, and planning consultants working across all development sectors. The Group is recognised for its depth of knowledge, breadth of experience, and for providing clear, pragmatic, and commercial advice to navigate and manage the planning process from inception through to advocacy to secure optimal outcomes. The Group offers a holistic approach including specialist advice on environmental regulation covering natural environment, biodiversity, sustainability, environmental permitting, circular economy, contaminated land, waste and water regulation, climate change, and regulatory defence.

The environmental law team advises public and private companies, including manufacturers, housebuilders, commercial developers, minerals operators, utilities, public sector organisations, local authorities, and environmental regulators. The team aims to be one of the leading Environmental Law Teams in the UK.

To support continued growth, we are seeking a qualified Environmental Solicitor with approximately 6+ years PQE to work alongside Partner Ben Derrington, ideally based in Bristol but with flexibility for other office locations. Ben is recognised as a Recommended Lawyer and Next Generation Partner in The Legal 500 (2025) and a Leading Individual in Chambers & Partners (2025). He advises on waste regulation, complex end-of-waste matters, environmental permitting of waste operations including enforcement defence, energy from waste regulation, pollution incidents, contaminated land, water resources, climate change law, environmental information, Environmental Management Systems, crisis and risk management.

The role involves collaboration with the Regulatory Department to provide advice and training on crisis and risk management. Experience in real estate and corporate transactional support, environmental permitting, contaminated land, emissions, pollution and waste, along with associated criminal defence, compliance, and risk management is essential. We are looking for enthusiastic and passionate lawyers to join a friendly, supportive, and ambitious team.

Experience
Qualified Environmental Solicitor with circa 6+ years PQE experience.
Experience in waste regulation, environmental permitting, contaminated land, emissions, pollution, waste management, and associated criminal defence, compliance, and risk management.
Experience in real estate and corporate transactional support is required.

About you
Enthusiastic and passionate about environmental law.
Friendly, supportive, and ambitious team player.
Committed to delivering pragmatic and commercial advice.
Ability to work collaboratively across multi-disciplinary teams.

Qualifications
Qualified Solicitor with relevant environmental law expertise.
Strong knowledge of environmental regulation and compliance frameworks.