How To Become An Environmental Lawyer In South Africa

An environmental lawyer works to represent clients in legal issues such as in clean technology, water law, climate change law and the management of land subject to native title and other public land.

Where Does an Environmental Lawyer Work?

Depending on where an Environmental Lawyer works, the day to day duties of an Environmental Lawyer include meeting with clients, researching environmental legal developments, drafting documents and educating the public and students about environmental law.

What Is the Average Environmental Lawyer Salary?

The median salary range for an Environmental Lawyer is R 1676933.38 per year or R 806.19per hour. Employment for Environmental Lawyers is growing at a rate that is equivalent to the average growth for all occupations.

What Is the Outlook for an Environmental Law Career?

The projected growth for employment for all types of lawyers from 2019 to 2029 is anticipated to be four percent, which is the average for all occupations. If you are interested in an environmental law career, the outlook is good, as there will be a continued need for environmental lawyers as new regulations and laws are developed and implemented.

Degree LevelJuris Doctor (J.D.)
LicensureAll states require licensure for lawyers
Key SkillsCritical thinking, analytical reasoning, negotiation, research, and writing skills
SalaryR 2146202.95(2019 average for all lawyers)
Employment Projections4% growth (for all lawyers 2019-2029)

Below is How To Become An Environmental Lawyer In South Africa

Earn an Undergraduate Degree

A bachelor’s degree is a general requirement for admission to law school is a bachelor’s degree. While there is no specific undergraduate field of study required, many law students have undergraduate degrees in economics, government, or history.

Aspiring environmental lawyers may benefit from completing a bachelor’s degree program focusing on environmental policy or environmental science.

Take the LSAT

The LSAT is a half-day exam that tests an examinee’s analytical reasoning, critical thinking, and reasoning skills. The LSAT score is an important factor in the law school admissions process.

Graduate from Law School

Law school can be attended on a full- or part-time basis. Generally, full-time programs require three years of study. During the first year, law students complete courses focusing on basic law subjects, such as tort, contract, property, and criminal law.

Take the Bar Exam

Every state requires lawyers to be licensed. Earning licensure requires taking a state’s bar exam, passing a professional responsibility exam, and being admitted to the state’s bar association.

Although the format of each state’s bar exam differs, the exam might consist of multiple days of testing of both essay and multiple-choice questions.

How much do environmental lawyers earn In South Africa ?

R31,717 (ZAR)/yr.

How long does it take to become an environmental lawyer In South Africa ?

It typically takes about 7 years to become an environmental lawyer. Educational environmental lawyer requirements include a bachelor’s degree and a law degree, typically a Juris Doctor (JD). Upon graduating, the bar exam must be completed successfully.

Where can I study environmental law in South Africa?

LLM Programs in Environmental Law / Energy Law / Resources Law – South Africa

University of KwaZulu-Natal – Howard College Campus.

University of Pretoria.

University of Cape Town (UCT) – The School for Advanced Legal Studies.

University of Western Cape.

University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) – Pietermaritzburg Campus.

What type of lawyer gets paid the most in South Africa?

Top earners include General Counsel (GC) and partners, both of which can expect to take home R5 million a year at the high-end of market. At the other end of the scale, candidate attorneys can expect to earn between R250,000 and R300,000 a year at top law firms.

Is environmental lawyer a good job?

This is an important career because it can be used to protect the environment through legal avenues. Environmental Lawyers work within private firms, government, and academia. It is important to be a good advocate as an Environmental Lawyer spends a significant amount of time in Court.

What jobs can you do with an environmental law degree?

While most who major in environmental law work as lawyers, other potential careers for those who studied environmental law and management as an undergraduate can find work as environmental consultants, analysts, project managers, advocates, researchers, planners and more.

Do environmental lawyers make a difference?

Absolutely, but getting to a point of constructive impact takes discipline, commitment, and careful consideration of the ethical challenges with which this legal specialty is fraught not to mention assessment of one’s salary expectations.

Why do we need environmental lawyers?

An environmental lawyer works to represent clients in legal issues such as in clean technology, water law, climate change law and the management of land subject to native title and other public land. Environment laws are a large and complex specialty within the practice of law.