Named #1 Best Law Firm to work for in Environmental Law by Vault since 2017, B&D enjoys exciting practice that is driven by providing superior service to our clients while preserving the informality, collegiality, and entrepreneurial spirit often suppressed in larger firms. We seek to hire attorneys who share our commitment to hard work, who have unique ideas, and who want to control their own careers and maintain lifestyles of their own choosing.
Leaders in Environmental Law
B&D's origins and evolution parallel the development of U.S. environmental and natural resource regulation. Our founders include the first Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency and first commissioner of the New York Department of Environmental Conservation. We helped shape the law, litigated early and seminal test cases, and continue to help clients adapt.
Environmental issues touch virtually every aspect of our lives and business operations. We offer decades and depth of experience advising numerous industry sectors on environmental law and its changing applicability to complex businesses worldwide.
Independent legal rating agencies regularly rank B&D as a top-tier U.S. environmental and environmental litigation practice. Examples include:
- Chambers and Partners Guide to the Legal Profession - USA, Band 1 2016-2026, 2026 Environment Firm of the Year
- Law360 Environmental Practice Group of the Year 2016-2017, 2020, 2025Best Lawyers® Environmental Firm of the Year 2018-200, 2022, 2024, 2026 and , Environmental Litigation Firm of the Year 2023, 2025
- The Legal 500 Tier 1 in Environmental Regulatory Law 2015-2026
- Latinvex Top Law Firm in Latin America 2018-2025
Commitment to Giving Back
More than half of B&D’s attorneys participate in the firm’s pro bono efforts and exceed the total hours and targeted percentages set by the American Bar Association. From 2024-2026, the National Legal Aid & Defender Association has honored B&D with a Beacon of Justice award, given to members of the pro bono legal community who are tireless advocates for equal justice.
B&D credits pro bono hours as billable hours applied towards bonuses and performance reviews. Our policy alleviates any notion that associates must sacrifice career advancement to do good work for those in need.
B&D encourages lawyers to seek out cases of interest and passion to pursue. As a result, the firm’s pro bono work is diverse and not limited to a few programs with which it maintains special ties. Over the years we have worked with organizations including but not limited to, American Gateways, the International Refugee Assistance Project, Kids In Need of Defense, DC Legal Aid, the Latina/o Bar Association of Washington, the Environmental Law Institute, We Act for Environmental Justice, the Food Recovery Network, Chesapeake Conservancy the Justice and Diversity Center for the Bar Association of San Francisco, and the Veterans Yoga Project.
As one of the nation’s leading environmental law firms, it is natural that B&D would also take a leadership role in sustainability for law office management. In its offices across the country, B&D translates its values into action, improving the firm’s sustainability and reducing its environmental impacts. Amongst other initiatives, the firm participates in the Lawyers for a Sustainable Economy initiative. Since 2019 we have provided more than $2 million in pro bono legal services in support of environmental sustainability.
Professional Development and Training
First-year associates are encouraged to work in a variety of subject areas and for many Shareholders without being assigned to a specific practice area. Assignments are made through a small central committee that listens carefully to each associate’s interests and preferences and blends that information into a well-rounded professional development curriculum for each associate. We assign front-line responsibility to associates early, from working directly with clients and consultants to conducting discovery and arguing motions. At their own pace, our associates develop their individual style and carve out their own niche. Because associates contribute significantly to our culture and help shape our reputation and our future, Shareholders devote considerable time and energy to mentoring the future generations of B&D lawyers.
One of the first steps we take to help launch our new associates’ careers is the appointment of mentors. New associates are assigned mentors who serve as coaches to help them jump-start their careers. Mentors facilitate their mentee’s introduction to the firm, the legal community, and the practice of law and then remain to guide that associate’s professional development.
Summer Associates
Our Summer Associate Program is one of the most important elements of our recruitment efforts. We hire a group of exceptional law students to participate in our summer program. Our program is competitive externally, but cooperative and friendly in-house.
Summer associates work on real assignments for real clients. All assignments are made centrally to ensure that everybody gets challenging, substantive legal work similar to projects we give our junior associates. We make an effort to assign projects in the particular areas for those summer associates who express a particular interest or to provide a well-rounded experience for those who want a broader experience. Summer associates frequently develop an interest in practice areas that they had not previously considered, and we endeavor to promote their exposure to new areas.
We want our summer associates to enjoy themselves in the company of co-workers and take advantage of the exciting, culture-rich cities in which we are located. Our informal social events have included hiking, biking, theater, museums, baseball games, kayaking, comedy clubs, crab feasts, and more. Every summer program is tailored to the interests of the participants and is as unique as the participants themselves.