Environmental Attorney Jobs for OPT Students
Environmental Attorney jobs on OPT are available at law firms, government agencies, and nonprofits working on climate, land use, and regulatory compliance. Most roles require a J.D. and bar admission, so confirm your OPT end date aligns with any bar exam timeline before applying.
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At ExxonMobil, our vision is to lead in energy innovations that advance modern living and a net-zero future. As one of the world’s largest publicly traded energy and chemical companies, we are powered by a unique and diverse workforce fueled by the pride in what we do and what we stand for. The success of our Upstream, Product Solutions and Low Carbon Solutions businesses is the result of the talent, curiosity and drive of our people. They bring solutions every day to optimize our strategy in energy, chemicals, lubricants and lower-emissions technologies. We invite you to bring your ideas to ExxonMobil to help create sustainable solutions that improve quality of life and meet society’s evolving needs. Learn more about our What and our Why and how we can work together.
About Houston
ExxonMobil's state-of-the-art campus north of Houston serves as home to its Upstream, Product Solutions and Low Carbon Solutions businesses and their associated service groups. The facility opened in 2014 and accommodates more than 10,000 employees and visitors. By bringing many global functional groups together, the campus provides employees with the tools and capabilities needed today, and in the future, to achieve business objectives and accelerate the discovery of new resources, technologies and products. It was designed to foster improved collaboration, creativity and innovation and enhance the company’s ability to attract, develop and retain the top talent in the industry. The campus is located in Spring, Texas, on 385 wooded acres immediately to the west of Interstate Highway 45 (I-45), at the intersection of I-45 and the Hardy Toll Road, approximately 25 miles from the cultural vibrancy of downtown Houston. The campus was constructed to the highest standards of energy efficiency and environmental stewardship. Its design incorporates extensive research into best practices in building and workplace design through extensive benchmarking of the world’s top academic, research, and corporate facilities.
What role you will play in our team
Exxon Mobil Corporation (“ExxonMobil”) is seeking an experienced environmental legal counsel to join our team in Houston, Texas. This role will focus on a wide array of environmental legal issues including enforcement, compliance, permitting and advocacy. Candidates should have strong experience in environmental law, including regulatory counseling (air, water, or soil) and government enforcement matters. Experience both in the Clean Air Act, and environmental litigation, is preferred for the role. The attorney will work closely with assigned clients, often on a daily basis, with oversight from more experienced attorneys as required. This role requires strong negotiation, advocacy and litigation/dispute-minded skills, experience in the Clean Air Act and other state environmental laws and regulations, and a collaborative approach to working with multidisciplinary teams. The position offers an opportunity to work on impactful environmental projects with a collaborative team and a Company that is committed to professional development and providing a supportive work environment.
What you will do
- Provide day-to-day legal support for business units, developing relationships with key business leaders to drive positive business results
- Provide legal analysis and counsel on environmental and enforcement matters for ExxonMobil and its affiliates, with the potential for environmental litigation
- Represent the Company in dealings with third parties, including but not limited to, federal, state or local environmental or other agencies or representatives
- Draft, review and negotiate environmental agreements, including but not limited to permits, consent decrees and other similar agreements
- Collaborate with environmental consultants, engineers, and other professionals to develop and implement air permitting and compliance strategies
- Conduct and coordinate research into a variety of legal issues, ensure compliance with laws, regulations and Company policy, anticipate and address legal risks and exposures for the Company
- Provide environmental legal support as needed in connection with projects in or outside the United States
- Participate in preparation and review of comments on proposed regulations and briefs
- Conduct and coordinate environmental compliance investigations
- Prepare and review presentations, documents and pleadings as relevant and necessary and associated with the above matters
- Work closely with other teams within the Law Department and other functional groups (e.g., tax, regulatory, and finance functions)
- Coordinate with and oversee outside counsel to ensure proper handling of matters where counsel is retained
Skills And Qualifications
- Minimum of five (5) years of relevant legal experience, at least partially with a major law firm, corporate legal department, or government agency
- J.D. from an accredited law school
- Strong college and law school record (top 1/3 of class preferred)
- Licensed to practice law in at least one state (Texas bar membership preferred)
- Environmental background with air experience (permitting, compliance, enforcement, advocacy)
- Strong research and writing skills
- Strong negotiation skills and a demonstrated track record of resolving environmental enforcement matters through litigation or administrative settlements
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills
- Ability and desire to manage multiple projects simultaneously, work independently effectively and as a member in a team-oriented environment
- High ethical standards and integrity
- Strong analytical skills and ability to exercise sound business judgment
- Able and willing to travel domestically in support of the above activities
Preferred Qualifications/Experience
- Demonstrated experience and knowledge working with regulated industry and/or environmental laws and regulations
- Prior experience with environmental compliance counseling and advice
- Experience in negotiating with government agencies
- Experience with litigation and/or administrative, civil or criminal enforcement matters
- Demonstrated record of leadership and initiative
Equal Opportunity Employer
ExxonMobil is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship status, protected veteran status, genetic information, or physical or mental disability.
Alternate Location: ExxonMobil is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship status, protected veteran status, genetic information, or physical or mental disability. Nothing herein is intended to override the corporate separateness of local entities. Working relationships discussed herein do not necessarily represent a reporting connection, but may reflect a functional guidance, stewardship, or service relationship. Exxon Mobil Corporation has numerous affiliates, many with names that include ExxonMobil, Exxon, Esso and Mobil. For convenience and simplicity, those terms and terms like corporation, company, our, we and its are sometimes used as abbreviated references to specific affiliates or affiliate groups. Abbreviated references describing global or regional operational organizations and global or regional business lines are also sometimes used for convenience and simplicity. Similarly, ExxonMobil has business relationships with thousands of customers, suppliers, governments, and others. For convenience and simplicity, words like venture, joint venture, partnership, co-venturer, and partner are used to indicate business relationships involving common activities and interests, and those words may not indicate precise legal relationships.
About us
At ExxonMobil, our vision is to lead in energy innovations that advance modern living and a net-zero future. As one of the world’s largest publicly traded energy and chemical companies, we are powered by a unique and diverse workforce fueled by the pride in what we do and what we stand for. The success of our Upstream, Product Solutions and Low Carbon Solutions businesses is the result of the talent, curiosity and drive of our people. They bring solutions every day to optimize our strategy in energy, chemicals, lubricants and lower-emissions technologies. We invite you to bring your ideas to ExxonMobil to help create sustainable solutions that improve quality of life and meet society’s evolving needs. Learn more about our What and our Why and how we can work together.
About Houston
ExxonMobil's state-of-the-art campus north of Houston serves as home to its Upstream, Product Solutions and Low Carbon Solutions businesses and their associated service groups. The facility opened in 2014 and accommodates more than 10,000 employees and visitors. By bringing many global functional groups together, the campus provides employees with the tools and capabilities needed today, and in the future, to achieve business objectives and accelerate the discovery of new resources, technologies and products. It was designed to foster improved collaboration, creativity and innovation and enhance the company’s ability to attract, develop and retain the top talent in the industry. The campus is located in Spring, Texas, on 385 wooded acres immediately to the west of Interstate Highway 45 (I-45), at the intersection of I-45 and the Hardy Toll Road, approximately 25 miles from the cultural vibrancy of downtown Houston. The campus was constructed to the highest standards of energy efficiency and environmental stewardship. Its design incorporates extensive research into best practices in building and workplace design through extensive benchmarking of the world’s top academic, research, and corporate facilities.
What role you will play in our team
Exxon Mobil Corporation (“ExxonMobil”) is seeking an experienced environmental legal counsel to join our team in Houston, Texas. This role will focus on a wide array of environmental legal issues including enforcement, compliance, permitting and advocacy. Candidates should have strong experience in environmental law, including regulatory counseling (air, water, or soil) and government enforcement matters. Experience both in the Clean Air Act, and environmental litigation, is preferred for the role. The attorney will work closely with assigned clients, often on a daily basis, with oversight from more experienced attorneys as required. This role requires strong negotiation, advocacy and litigation/dispute-minded skills, experience in the Clean Air Act and other state environmental laws and regulations, and a collaborative approach to working with multidisciplinary teams. The position offers an opportunity to work on impactful environmental projects with a collaborative team and a Company that is committed to professional development and providing a supportive work environment.
What you will do
- Provide day-to-day legal support for business units, developing relationships with key business leaders to drive positive business results
- Provide legal analysis and counsel on environmental and enforcement matters for ExxonMobil and its affiliates, with the potential for environmental litigation
- Represent the Company in dealings with third parties, including but not limited to, federal, state or local environmental or other agencies or representatives
- Draft, review and negotiate environmental agreements, including but not limited to permits, consent decrees and other similar agreements
- Collaborate with environmental consultants, engineers, and other professionals to develop and implement air permitting and compliance strategies
- Conduct and coordinate research into a variety of legal issues, ensure compliance with laws, regulations and Company policy, anticipate and address legal risks and exposures for the Company
- Provide environmental legal support as needed in connection with projects in or outside the United States
- Participate in preparation and review of comments on proposed regulations and briefs
- Conduct and coordinate environmental compliance investigations
- Prepare and review presentations, documents and pleadings as relevant and necessary and associated with the above matters
- Work closely with other teams within the Law Department and other functional groups (e.g., tax, regulatory, and finance functions)
- Coordinate with and oversee outside counsel to ensure proper handling of matters where counsel is retained
Skills And Qualifications
- Minimum of five (5) years of relevant legal experience, at least partially with a major law firm, corporate legal department, or government agency
- J.D. from an accredited law school
- Strong college and law school record (top 1/3 of class preferred)
- Licensed to practice law in at least one state (Texas bar membership preferred)
- Environmental background with air experience (permitting, compliance, enforcement, advocacy)
- Strong research and writing skills
- Strong negotiation skills and a demonstrated track record of resolving environmental enforcement matters through litigation or administrative settlements
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills
- Ability and desire to manage multiple projects simultaneously, work independently effectively and as a member in a team-oriented environment
- High ethical standards and integrity
- Strong analytical skills and ability to exercise sound business judgment
- Able and willing to travel domestically in support of the above activities
Preferred Qualifications/Experience
- Demonstrated experience and knowledge working with regulated industry and/or environmental laws and regulations
- Prior experience with environmental compliance counseling and advice
- Experience in negotiating with government agencies
- Experience with litigation and/or administrative, civil or criminal enforcement matters
- Demonstrated record of leadership and initiative
Equal Opportunity Employer
ExxonMobil is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship status, protected veteran status, genetic information, or physical or mental disability.
Alternate Location: ExxonMobil is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship status, protected veteran status, genetic information, or physical or mental disability. Nothing herein is intended to override the corporate separateness of local entities. Working relationships discussed herein do not necessarily represent a reporting connection, but may reflect a functional guidance, stewardship, or service relationship. Exxon Mobil Corporation has numerous affiliates, many with names that include ExxonMobil, Exxon, Esso and Mobil. For convenience and simplicity, those terms and terms like corporation, company, our, we and its are sometimes used as abbreviated references to specific affiliates or affiliate groups. Abbreviated references describing global or regional operational organizations and global or regional business lines are also sometimes used for convenience and simplicity. Similarly, ExxonMobil has business relationships with thousands of customers, suppliers, governments, and others. For convenience and simplicity, words like venture, joint venture, partnership, co-venturer, and partner are used to indicate business relationships involving common activities and interests, and those words may not indicate precise legal relationships.
How to Get Visa Sponsorship as an Environmental Attorney
Target employers with active environmental dockets
Law firms and agencies handling EPA enforcement, NEPA compliance, or clean energy litigation hire attorneys regularly. Employers with ongoing regulatory work are more likely to extend OPT students into H-1B sponsorship than boutique firms with sporadic caseloads.
Confirm bar admission compatibility with your OPT timeline
Most Environmental Attorney roles require bar admission in the relevant state. Check when you can sit for the bar exam and whether your OPT authorization period covers the months between passing and starting full-time employment.
Prioritize government agencies and large environmental nonprofits
Federal agencies like the EPA and DOJ Environment Division, along with nonprofits such as Earthjustice, regularly hire attorneys. These employers often have established OPT and immigration processes compared to smaller regional practices.
Apply for STEM OPT if your J.D. qualifies
If your law degree included a qualifying STEM component or dual degree, verify with your DSO whether you may be eligible for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, which significantly extends your authorized work period.
Lead with specialized environmental coursework and clinic experience
Employers weigh environmental law clinic work, NEPA or Clean Water Act coursework, and regulatory agency internships heavily. Highlight these directly on your resume to demonstrate readiness for compliance or litigation work from day one.
Ask about sponsorship early in the interview process
Environmental law is a specialized field with a smaller hiring pool, giving candidates more leverage to raise visa questions. Ask during the second interview stage whether the firm or agency has previously sponsored attorneys for H-1B status.
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Can I work as an Environmental Attorney on OPT?
Yes, if your J.D. is from an accredited U.S. law school and you have valid OPT authorization, you can work as an Environmental Attorney. Your employment must be directly related to your legal education. Bar admission is required by most employers, so your OPT timeline needs to account for exam preparation and results.
Do Environmental Attorney employers commonly sponsor H-1B visas?
Sponsorship rates vary by employer type. Large law firms with established immigration practices, federal agencies, and major environmental nonprofits are the most consistent sponsors. Smaller regional firms or solo practices often lack the infrastructure to support H-1B petitions. Searching Migrate Mate for Environmental Attorney roles lets you filter for OPT-friendly and sponsoring employers directly.
Does Environmental Attorney work qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
Yes. Legal practice, including environmental law, consistently meets the H-1B specialty occupation standard because it requires at minimum a J.D. degree in a specific field. USCIS has routinely approved H-1B petitions for attorneys. Your employer will need to file a Labor Condition Application and demonstrate the role requires a law degree.
How does the bar exam timeline interact with my OPT period?
This is one of the most common OPT complications for law graduates. Bar exams are typically offered in February and July, with results released two to four months later. If your OPT start date precedes bar admission, some employers will hire you in a law clerk or junior associate capacity while you await results, provided your authorization period covers it.
What types of Environmental Attorney roles are most accessible on OPT?
Regulatory compliance positions at corporations, staff attorney roles at environmental nonprofits, and agency positions with the EPA or state environmental departments are among the most accessible for OPT students. These employers often have defined hiring cycles and clearer immigration policies than private litigation boutiques. Fellowship programs at advocacy organizations are also worth pursuing during your OPT period.
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