Associate: Energy Regulatory

White & Case • New York, NY

8d

About The Position

We are currently seeking a mid-level Associate with significant experience advising clients on compliance with federal and state electricity regulations. The ideal candidate will have a strong background representing clients in administrative proceedings before agencies such as the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and state public utility commissions, as well as navigating complex issues related to power generation, transmission, distribution, and retail electricity markets. Experience drafting legal documents to ensure compliance with electricity and energy laws—particularly in areas such as renewable energy, natural gas, electricity market design, and grid reliability—is essential.
Key responsibilities include administrative litigation and counseling clients before federal and state regulatory agencies, including FERC and state utility commissions. The legal practice for this position encompasses prosecuting administrative litigation and regulatory approvals, as well as defending audit and enforcement actions, for natural gas and liquid pipeline clients, electric transmission and distribution providers, and energy market participants. The role also involves negotiation of agreements for the use of oil and gas infrastructure (such as transportation, gathering, and processing agreements), electricity transmission and interconnection agreements, and related marketing agreements. Regulatory compliance counseling and regulatory support for mergers and acquisitions in the electricity sector are also important aspects of this role.
Highly organized and deadline-focused, you should be adept at managing multiple work streams and delivering work within short timeframes. Personable and cooperative, you should enjoy working as part of a team and excel at building strong professional relationships. Excellent communication skills are a significant asset.
Working on major, high-profile transactions that can take months or years to close, you will need patience and focus. You should be excited by our practice, eager to take on responsibility, and display proactive thinking and action to exceed the expectations of both colleagues and clients.
White & Case’s Energy, Infrastructure, Project and Asset Finance Group has a worldwide reputation for helping sponsors and developers achieve their most complex and ambitious project goals. As the preeminent global law firm in this field, we offer our clients unrivaled depth and breadth of knowledge and experience, in jurisdictions across the globe and across all major project development sectors. We have significant experience in the major sectors, including power generation and transmission (thermal power, nuclear energy, and all forms of renewable energy); oil & gas (liquefied natural gas (LNG) and petrochemicals); infrastructure (roads, airports, bridges, railways, ports, and social infrastructure); mining & metals; water and wastewater treatment; and telecommunications and digital infrastructure (towers, broadband, fiber-optics, and satellites).
From the moment you join us, you will work with leading practitioners within our Group, as well as with colleagues from the firm’s M&A, Capital Markets, and Regulatory & Compliance practices, who contribute their sector-specific expertise to our multidisciplinary project teams.
As an associate, you will undertake a range of logistics and communication tasks geared towards driving the process forward and ensuring that all parties involved are aware of—and satisfied with—the direction of travel. You will also handle analyzing and interpreting electricity and energy regulations, advising clients on compliance strategies, identifying potential regulatory risks, and supporting clients in regulatory investigations and enforcement actions. The work can be demanding but is always rewarding—both in terms of the constant opportunities for learning and professional development, and the satisfaction of contributing to high-profile projects that have a lasting impact on people’s lives.

Requirements

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree (LLM or foreign equivalent) from an accredited law school
• Must be admitted to practice and in good standing in the jurisdiction of the office in which they are based
• 3+ years of relevant law firm or in-house experience, with a focus on electricity regulatory matters and transactional experience required
• Demonstrated experience advising on electricity regulatory compliance, FERC and/or state public utility commission proceedings, and electricity market issues
• Strong academic record and intellectual curiosity; creative thinker
• Commercial and business awareness
• Ability to see the big picture
• Outstanding communication and negotiation skills
• Strong time management skills; ability to stay calm under pressure when juggling multiple projects
• Excellent drafting skills
• Driven by professional growth
• Strong professional presence
• Client service focus
• Team player
• Strong judgment
• Proactive, resourceful, takes initiative

Responsibilities

• Drafting and negotiating electricity-related agreements, including Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), Virtual Power Purchase Agreements (VPPAs), interconnection agreements, transmission service agreements, LNG SPAs, JOAs, LLCAs, JVAs, terminalling agreements, time charters, and asset management agreements
• Advising on compliance with federal and state electricity regulations, including FERC and state public utility commission rules
• Assisting with resolving (or avoiding) commercial disputes and administration of ongoing projects
• Conducting research and drafting memoranda, including analysis of local, federal, and international laws
• Analyzing and understanding energy regulatory and operational practices, including familiarity with industry forms and practices (e.g., AIEN, BIMCO, ISDA, NAESB)
• Drafting, negotiating, and enforcing parent guarantees, letters of credit, and other forms of performance security
• Involvement in due diligence and preparation of legal opinions Liaising with local counsel in relevant jurisdictions
• Coordination with internal subject matter experts
• Communication with clients (via telephone, teleconference, email)
• Providing direct assistance to senior lawyers on matters arising in the course of day-to-day provision of legal services to leading international and domestic corporate clients
• Managing and training junior associates
• Performing research and preparing pitch materials for business development initiatives
• Participating in educational seminars and practice groups

Benefits

• White & Case LLP offers a comprehensive suite of benefit programs to all eligible employees, including medical, dental, and vision insurance, life and disability coverage, 401(k) retirement savings, vacation time, and leave programs (including parental leave).
• Exempt roles are also performance bonus eligible.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree