“And I ’m like, wait a second...there’s something here. This guy really loves what he’s talking about. I had to call him. I found a topic, a space, that I thought I could fit in. That was the catalyzing moment.”

Have you ever had a moment like that? Where something suddenly clicks, and you realize there might be a different path for you?

On this episode of the Green Collar Careers Podcast, I’m joined by Ivonne Norman, an environmental attorney and Legal Network Manager at the Sabin Center for Climate Change Law at Columbia Law School.

Ivonne built a long, successful legal career - the kind that, from the outside, looks solid and stable. But over time, she began asking quiet questions about alignment, purpose, and what she actually wanted her work to look like moving forward.

We talk honestly about what it feels like when those questions start surfacing, how easy it is to ignore them, and what happens when you finally don’t.

Ivonne also shares how she eventually found her way into environmental and climate work - without a formal background or a clear roadmap - and what helped her take those first steps before she felt ready.

If you’re someone who feels pulled toward environmental or climate work but isn’t sure where you fit - or how to make the jump without blowing up your whole career - I think you’ll really connect with this conversation.

00:00 - Introduction
01:14 - Ivonne's Background
03:58 - Early Legal Career and Civil Litigation
05:57 - Experiencing Burnout
09:49 - Reflecting on Original Motivation for Becoming an Attorney
12:48 - Initial Steps into Environmental Law
16:37 - Overcoming Imposter Syndrome
21:07 - Importance of Networking & Involvement
23:33 - Transitioning into Environmental Law
27:12 - Strategic Networking and Collaboration
36:07 - Narrowing Down Career Focus
40:28 - Applying for Jobs in the Environmental Sector
42:26 - Securing Role at Columbia Law's Sabin Center
47:16 - Lessons Learned and What Ivonne Would Do Differently
56:10 - Advice for Pivoting into Environmental Careers
58:48 - Closing Remarks and Inspiration

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🔗 Connect with Jose & Ivonne

Connect with Ivonne on LinkedIn!
💼 LinkedIn: /ivonne-norman-esq/

Connect with Jose!
💼 LinkedIn:/jose-almanzar-esq
📷 Instagram:@jose_environmental_attorney
🔗 Linktree: linktr.ee/jalmanzar

🎵 Music Credit -Kwae: 📷 Instagram:@kwaemusic

 🎨 Logo Credit - Leo: 📷 Instagram:@logic9uy_art

📢 DISCLAIMER: Nothing in this podcast constitutes legal advice. This podcast is not attorney advertising. Nothing said in this podcast is endorsed by the podcast host, their guests, or their employers. The views expressed by the podcast host and their guests are their own and do not reflect the opinions of their employers. By listening to this podcast, the listener is not entering into an attorney-client relationship or any other relationship with the host or their guests.