Policy Adviser, Climate Change and Planning & Environmental Law

The Role

This is a great chance to join a busy policy team to work with colleagues on the work the Law Society does to be a legal sector leader on climate change. You will be part of the Private Law, Technology and Sustainability team, who shape policy in areas that matter to many of our members and firms they work in.

Climate change is a growing policy area. The Law Society is a world leading professional body in this area, producing guidance on how climate change will impact solicitors, their clients and the law.

Over the next few years we will do work that:

• supports small firms with guidance and resources to assist decarbonisation and setting net zero strategies,
• develop thought leadership on the impact of climate change on lawyers and the law at a national and global level.
• ensure solicitors are equipped to advise on how climate risk impacts their clients.

Keeping up to date with climate policy and legal developments, you will spot and respond to opportunities for positive reforms to support our members. You will research and analyse the impact of changes on our members, on the clients they advise and provide reliable and well-informed advice and leadership. Often you will prepare written briefings, consultation responses and guidance for internal and external audiences, and occasionally you will give presentations. You will also work with colleagues in other areas of the organisation, such as the commercial and international teams.

This is an exciting and varied role where your expertise, knowledge and skills will be used to great effect to make a real difference for our members, their clients and the rule of law.

What we're looking for

• Experience working on climate change policy and/or climate change related law.
• Ability to engage with and influence climate change and legal policy development across government, parliament, regulators and the legal profession. Spotting opportunities to develop credible and persuasive policy positions and recommendations.
• Have a strong working knowledge of clime change issues. Expertise in how climate change is affecting the legal and/or the professional services sector, or the ability to quickly develop this.
• Ability to research and analyse complex legal and climate policy issues and assess their implications for the profession, the rule of law and the business of law.
• Ability to assess the different views and needs of the Law Society's 200,000 members and law firms/organisations they work for. Understand that what we produce needs to have a right balance between multiple needs/perspectives.

What's in it for you

This is an excellent opportunity to work in a forward-thinking membership organisation dedicated to supporting solicitors, protecting access to justice and promoting the rule of law. We have a strong reputation for excellence and legal expertise, and are committed to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion, and a culture of trust, clarity, excellence and respect.

We offer hybrid working (minimum eight days a month working on at our office in Chancery Lane), a generous flexible benefits package, a friendly working environment and the opportunity to develop your career within a professional organisation.

This role is designed to be full time from Monday-to-Friday. If you wish to have another working pattern, please contact Nick Denys (details below).

If you would like to have an informal discussion any aspect of the role, please contact Nick Denys on

The Law Society represents solicitors in England and Wales. From negotiating with and lobbying the profession's regulators, government and other decision makers, to offering training and advice, we're here to help, protect and promote solicitors