Environmental Attorney

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.
Learn more about what we do in Houston here. 

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.