The Team

Freeths LLP Planning and Environment Group is a truly multi-disciplinary team comprising planning lawyers, environmental lawyers and planning consultants operating across all development sectors. The Group is recognised for its depth of knowledge, breadth of experience and for providing clear, pragmatic and commercial advice and support in navigating and managing the planning process - from the inception of a proposal through to advocacy - in order to secure the optimal outcome. The Group offers a holistic approach which includes advice on the specialist areas of environmental regulation from natural environment, biodiversity and sustainability, to environmental permitting, circular economy, contaminated land, waste and water regulation, climate change and regulatory defence.

The Planning and Environment Group also works closely with Freeths' commercial, corporate and real-estate lawyers and supports their nationally recognised practices in the key sectors of development, clean energy and waste.

As part of the wider Group the environmental law team advises at the highest levels, including public and private companies (particularly manufacturers, housebuilders, commercial developers, minerals operators and utilities), public sector organisations, local authorities and environmental regulators. The teams' objective is to secure its status as one of the leading Environmental Law Teams in the UK.

The Role

In order to support continued growth we wish to recruit a qualified Environmental Solicitor (circa. 6 yrs PQE experience upwards) to work alongside Partner Ben Derrington, ideally in our Bristol office but with consideration given to strong candidates interested in other locations across the Freeths network of offices. Ben is listed as a Recommended Lawyer and recognised as a Next Generation Partner in The Legal 500 (2025 edition). He is also ranked as a Leading Individual in Chambers & Partners (2025 edition).

Ben advises on waste regulation including complex end-of-waste matters, environmental permitting of waste operations (including defence of enforcement action), energy from waste regulation, pollution incidents, contaminated land, water resources, climate change law, environmental information, Environmental Management Systems, crisis and risk management. Ben also works with our 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 a prerequisite for this role.

Most importantly we are looking for enthusiastic and passionate lawyers to join a friendly, supportive and ambitious team.

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Do we sound like a match? If you're someone who cares deeply, communicates openly and collaborates effectively, then we'd love to have you join our diverse, inclusive team.