Current Openings

Being an interdisciplinary company means that we can offer career paths that would not be available in traditional firms. If you’re a communications professional and want to learn more about sea level rise, this is the place. If you’re a paralegal and want to learn about wetlands, let’s grab those waders! If you’re a biologist and want to learn more about how policy is made, we will loan you a jacket and tie!

We believe that putting the right team together is the first step in solving the biggest problems. If you agree, this might be the place for you.

Apply Here!

Help Maine families and businesses make the most effective and responsible use of their land and natural resources. We are looking for a Permitting Associate to help gather information, analyze data, and develop strategies to support responsible and sustainable coastal development. The ideal candidate will have some experience working in a regulatory environment either in the private sector or with a state or municipal government office, plus an educational background in the environmental or natural sciences. Wetland delineation experience is a plus.

This position works as part of a multidisciplinary team that includes lawyers, scientists, and policy makers, all focused on helping our clients make the best decisions for their families, businesses, and communities. Come be part of our dynamic team.

Responsibilities

  • Meet with clients and prospective clients
  • Gather data from sites, plans, and digital sources
  • Review ordinances and other regulatory rules
  • Strategize with legal counsel and other team members
  • Propose solutions and strategies to clients and other decision makers
  • Draft and present applications to municipal boards
  • Position involves field work about 15% of the time in varying weather conditions and over undeveloped land and shorelines

Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree with a science major or equivalent experience
  • 2-4 years of professional work experience in environmental regulatory agency or company
  • Strong writing skills
  • Strong oral presentation skills

Why spend your last few associate years at Archipelago?

Perhaps a better question is, “Why would you want to be a partner at your current firm?” Here’s a dirty little secret in the law business: Your clients don’t care. They don’t care about the high-rise offices. They don’t care about the expensive paintings in the lobby. They don’t even care about the “brand” your firm spends so much money to cultivate. Your clients care about one thing – you. Clients are way more loyal to their lawyers than they are to their firms. The average junior partner at an old-school law firm takes home only 1/3 of the revenue they generate. That’s nuts. Why would you work so hard to generate $1 Mil. of revenue just to give $600,000 of that revenue to someone else?

If you are a senior associate with solid experience in environmental, land use, or municipal law and you are wondering whether the partnership model in your current firm makes any sense, we should talk. We have an immediate need for help with our growing practice. Our firm is different. Here you will work shoulder to shoulder, not with different kinds of lawyers, but with different kinds of professionals. That’s because we believe a legal strategy is only part of the solution.

Here are some of the things we offer:

  • Non-discretionary performance bonus of 15% of base salary
  • Dedicated training and marketing budget to develop your practice
  • Health Insurance
  • Simple IRA with company match
  • Dynamic and growing work environment

Here are the minimum qualifications:

  • 4-7 years of experience practicing in environmental, land use, or municipal law
  • Small book of business (about 30% of your billable time)
  • Excellent references
  • Ability to work in office full-time (Portland, Maine area)
  • Desire to grow your own practice (with help from us, of course)

Law, Science, Policy...Welcome to the Archipelago

Let’s get started

Join Us

At Archipelago we see our work differently. For us, it’s not about wood paneled conference rooms housing fine art collections. It’s not about top floor corner offices. We don’t care about parking spaces with our names on it; or even seeing our names on the building. If you need that stuff to feel successful, this is not the place for you.

Our Business Model is Simple:

Step 1

Keep the focus on the client

Step 2

Keep the overhead low

Step 3

Keep the egos in check

If you’re tired of spending countless hours in committee meetings arguing about office supplies, we should talk. If you are tired of funding massive amounts of legacy overhead, we should talk. Most importantly, if you think your clients would be happier in a place where you are free to provide them with the best service possible, we definitely should talk.

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