Senior Attorney, Clean Energy Program
Earthjustice is the nation’s premier nonprofit environmental law organization. We take on the biggest, most precedent-setting cases across the country. We wield the power of law and the strength of partnership to protect people’s health; address environmental injustice defend magnificent places and irreplaceable ecosystems; transition our economy to 100% clean energy; and combat climate change. We partner with thousands of groups, tribes, individuals and communities to address the critical environmental issues of our time and bring about positive change. We are guided by a passionate, ambitious vision for the future for people and our planet: until justice stands for all, we will never rest. We are here because the earth needs a good lawyer.
Founded in 1971, Earthjustice has a distinguished track record of achieving significant, lasting environmental protections. We achieve this by hiring excellent staff who share a passion for justice and a healthy environment. Our headquarters are in San Francisco with offices in Anchorage, Juneau, Los Angeles, Tallahassee, Miami, Chicago, Honolulu, New Orleans, New York, Philadelphia, Denver, Seattle, Bozeman, and Washington, DC, and we are opening an office in Houston.
Earthjustice’s Clean Energy Program litigates and advocates in state and federal courts and before energy regulators across the country to advance an equitable clean energy transition. Our work includes expanding and increasing access to clean energy resources, including energy efficiency, solar, wind, demand response, and storage; advancing electrification; and opposing efforts to build new gas-fired power plants. We represent diverse clients individually and as part of coalitions. The new Senior Attorney role will reside in our Clean Energy Program’s FERC group, focusing on litigation and advocacy strategies at FERC and federal appellate courts to eliminate barriers to clean energy adoption in federally regulated wholesale power markets and to secure RTO/ISOs policies and practices that support a transition to clean, affordable, and reliable energy. The new Senior Attorney will work on issues that span multiple RTO/ISOs and likely will focus on at least one RTO/ISO.
Candidates should have at least six years of litigation and legal advocacy experience, working both independently and in a coalition setting, and a background in energy law is preferred.
The position can be located in our Washington, DC office (preferred), though we will also consider candidates who would work at one of Earthjustice’s other regional offices.
Responsibilities
- Monitors prospective changes to practices, policies, and tariff rules for each assigned RTO/ISO and topic area.
- Build and maintain effective working relationships with new and diverse clients and other partner organizations.
- Work with clients, other attorneys, and partners to investigate, develop, and litigate cases.
- Lead litigation and advocacy efforts, and perform the full range of administrative and appellate litigation tasks, including securing expert testimony and executing comments, protests, requests for rehearing, petitions for appeal, briefs, and oral arguments.
- Work with our media, policy and legislation teams, as well as clients and partners, to leverage legal advocacy to obtain positive change and results.
- Supervise and mentor Associate Attorneys, interns, and litigation assistants.
- Maintain effective working relationships with Earthjustice team members across the organization.
- Develop new cases and advocacy strategies; conduct factual investigations; develop legal theories; draft pleadings and briefs; and otherwise manage new and existing cases.
- Collaborate in team problem solving, litigation strategy, and project management.
- Manage relationships with outside co-counsel, clients, and coalition partners.
- Contribute to efforts to ensure a diverse, equitable and inclusive work culture that encourages and celebrates difference.
Qualifications
- Juris Doctorate (JD) degree.
- Licensed to practice law in DC (or wherever located), or willing and qualified to apply for and be admitted to the applicable bar within 14 months of employment.
- At least six years of litigation and legal advocacy experiences, with appellate and energy law experiences preferred.
- Excellent research, analytic, writing and communication skills.
- Ability to work effectively both independently and in collaboration with others.
- Creativity, good judgment, and a strong work ethic.
- Experience mentoring and supervising others.
- Experience engaging in advocacy at FERC and/or a state Public Utility Commission on clean energy and energy justice issues preferred.
- Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to build relationships and work collaboratively with a diverse set of clients and partner organizations.
- Demonstrated awareness and sensitivity to the needs and concerns of individuals from diverse cultures, backgrounds, and orientations.
- Able to contribute to the creation of a diverse, equitable and inclusive work culture that encourages and celebrates differences.
- Commitment to public interest work and a passion for the role of Earthjustice and its mission, including a desire to fight for the right of all to a healthy environment.
Salary depends on experience and location.
Salary range in Washington, DC $151,100+ depending on experience
Salary ranges in other locations: $135,200+ depending on experience and location.
We offer a mission- and employee-focused work environment and a competitive compensation package, including excellent benefits. Earthjustice is an equal opportunity employer and highly values diversity.
For litigators and advocates committed to saving the planet and the people who depend on it, Senior Attorney at Earthjustice is the best job on the planet. Learn more about our Senior Attorney careers and work online here: https://earthjustice.org/about/jobs/senior-attorney
Interested candidates should submit a:
- Resume.
- One or two page cover letter that addresses (1) why you are drawn to Earthjustice’s mission and (2) any experience you have working on clean energy issues, including work before FERC, state Public Utilities Commissions, and Federal appellate courts, or why you are interested in this work.
- Writing sample, preferably a legal brief or memorandum that reflects your own work.
- List of three professional references.
We are looking to hire a candidate that is available to start any time between now and April 2022. We are flexible as to start date during this period.
Please reach out to jobs@earthjustice.org if you are having technical difficulties submitting your application. No phone calls, drop-ins, or hard copies.
Earthjustice is driven by a passion for justice, partnership, and excellence. Our core values lead us to seek a broad range of perspectives and backgrounds to achieve our mission and to maintain an inclusive environment where all staff are valued and respected. As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to employment practices that ensure that employees and applicants for employment are provided with equal opportunities without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, or any other factor that is not related to the position.