California Projects, Energy, Environment & Resources Associate Attorney - Midlevel to Senior

Ashurst Perkins Coie•San Francisco, CA

8d•Hybrid

About The Position

Ashurst Perkins Coie LLP is seeking an exceptional 4th to 7th-year associate to join their elite California Projects, Energy, Environment and Resources team. This role is situated at the forefront of the nation's energy transition, infrastructure development, and policy advocacy. The associate will support sponsors of significant multijurisdictional energy and infrastructure projects, including electric transmission lines, renewable and conventional energy generation, legacy infrastructure decommissioning and repurposing, complex conventional utility systems, and data center infrastructure. Opportunities also exist to represent clients in bet-the-project litigation in federal and state courts.

Requirements

4–7 years of environmental, land use, or energy regulatory experience at a major Am Law firm, relevant government agency, or highly regarded environmental boutique.
Deep familiarity with CEQA, NEPA, and related natural resource laws.
Experience representing project sponsors of electric transmission, offshore/onshore wind, solar, battery storage, water infrastructure, geothermal, and/or carbon capture and storage projects.
Experience running matters independently, managing client relationships, and driving deliverables across the finish line.
Exceptional analytical, legal research, drafting, and counseling skills.
A demonstrated ability to translate complex technical/scientific data (from environmental or engineering experts) to clients, regulators, and decisionmakers.
Active member in good standing of the State Bar of California.
A high-performance mindset seeking to join a highly collaborative team.
Passionate about client-centric service and managing the legal complexities of the global energy transition.

Nice To Haves

Experience with the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) planning process is highly valued.

Responsibilities

Advise utilities, energy companies, and infrastructure project developers on federal, state, and local regulatory approvals, with a heavy focus on the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLMPA), the National Forest Management Act (NFMA), and the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA).
Represent clients in complex proceedings before key regulatory bodies, including the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), California Energy Commission (CEC), Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), California Coastal Commission (CCC), California State Lands Commission (CLSC) and State/Regional Water Boards, as well as local cities and counties.
Defend project approvals against collateral attacks and handle complex environmental defense and administrative claims in federal and state courts.
Counsel clients through resource consultation, permitting, and mitigation frameworks involving the federal and state Endangered Species Acts (ESAs), Clean Water Act (CWA), coastal development, National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), as well as tribal/stakeholder engagement strategies.
Conduct environmental and regulatory due diligence and transactional drafting on energy and infrastructure acquisitions, divestitures, project financing, and real estate transactions.
Mentor, supervise, and review the work product of junior associates and paralegals on project teams to ensure top-tier, efficient legal delivery.