Water & Environmental Law Attorney

Fairfield and Woods, P.C. (FW), a well-established law firm in Denver, Colorado, seeks a Water & Environmental Law Attorney to join our team. 

The appropriate candidate for this position must successfully handle a variety of water, environmental, civil litigation and compliance matters with the ability to meet deadlines in a collaborative and professional environment. We are looking for an individual with a foundation in excellent legal research, writing, and analysis who desires an opportunity to learn, litigate, and grow with our firm and our excellent team of legal professionals.

Our ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications, skills, and experience:

• 4-7 years of experience in water court and federal or state court litigation, administrative hearings, and other legal proceedings, including but not limited to:
  • Participating in forming, executing, and managing case strategy.
  • Preparing pleadings, written discovery, subpoenas, etc.
  • Motions practice, briefing, and oral argument.
  • Document discovery, review, management, and production, including electronic discovery.
  • Taking and defending fact, expert, and document depositions
  • Handling expert witnesses in water resources and environmental fields.
  • Negotiating settlements and participating in mediation and other alternative dispute resolution processes.
  • Participating in trials and appeals.
• Experience with Colorado water rights transactions, including purchase and sale of water rights, title review, due diligence and drafting, reviewing and negotiating agreements.
• Associated real estate and land use laws, including easements.
• Experience with State and federal regulation of air, water quality, hazardous waste, mining, and oil and gas, and handling complex environmental litigation (both civil and administrative)

Qualified candidates will have:

• Familiarity with the Colorado state and federal court system is required, including experience in water court proceedings.
• Strong understanding of Colorado water law, statutes and regulations.
• Experience with some of the following areas of natural resources law: water rights, water quality, enforcement proceedings, agency rulemaking, NEPA, FLPMA, CWA, ESA, and BLM and USFS leasing and permitting.
• Excellent writing, communication, analytical, and legal research skills.
• Experience as the primary author of client memoranda, court, arbitration, and mediation briefs, motions, and appellate briefing.
• A JD from an accredited law school.
• Admission to the Colorado Bar or eligibility for admission via reciprocity.
• Positive attitude, strong interpersonal skills, exceptional work ethic and willingness to accept project responsibility, and solid communication skills with direct interaction with partners and clients.

Preferred qualifications:

• Bench trial experience.

The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of essential functions, responsibilities, or requirements.

Compensation & Benefits

The starting salary range for this position is $125,000-$155,000/year based on education and experience, as well as a discretionary bonus program. The actual compensation will be determined based on experience and other factors permitted by law.

At Fairfield and Woods P.C., we take care of our full-time attorneys with a fantastic benefits package. This includes perks like paid medical and life insurance, dental and vision coverage, pet insurance, disability insurance, HSA and flexible spending accounts, identity theft protection, 401k plan with discretionary profit-sharing, employee assistance programs, paid holidays, parental leave, parking options, and flexible PTO. We also prioritize work-life balance by offering reasonable billing targets with bonus structure, flexible hybrid work schedules, wellness programs, and the chance to get involved in various firm committees and activities.