Senior Attorney, U.S. Clean Energy

Environmental Defense Fund•Washington, DC

7d•Hybrid

About The Position

EDF’s U.S. Legal & Regulatory team engages in strategic regulatory advocacy and litigation to achieve clean and healthy air, drive clean energy progress, and ensure a stable climate for all. We envision a world in which people from all backgrounds and experiences feel connected to the public health and environmental challenges we face, and are engaged in creating durable, equitable solutions. The U.S. Legal & Regulatory team works primarily out of the Washington, D.C., Boulder, CO offices and remotely. The U.S. Clean Energy program works to increase the speed and scale of deployment of clean energy resources in the United States in order to decarbonize the electric system and enable electrification of vehicles, buildings, and industry while maintaining reliability and affordability. We focus on addressing the barriers that block and delay the construction of clean energy projects and the infrastructure needed to support them, particularly the electric transmission system. The barriers we work to address include insufficient and misdirected system planning, funding and financing challenges, inefficient siting and permitting processes, and biased market structures; as well as efforts to subsidize, prop up, and expand the use of fossil fuel generation and block the development and integration of clean resources. The Senior Attorney, U.S. Clean Energy will lead and support EDF legal and regulatory advocacy in support of decarbonization of the electric system. This primarily comprises representing EDF in federal litigation and federal and state regulatory proceedings regarding laws, policies, and actions related to clean energy projects and infrastructure, as well as engaging in proceedings related to federal actions to support or expand the use of fossil fuel generation. This position also supports EDF’s development and review of legislative and regulatory proposals regarding clean energy infrastructure, permitting, and other energy policy matters. In addition to formally representing EDF before administrative agencies and civil courts, this position will also engage with external and internal partners to develop strategy, refine policies, generate thought leadership, and leverage external communications to support and amplify clean energy advocacy across the country. This position will report to the Director & Lead Counsel, U.S. Clean Energy in Legal & Regulatory.

Requirements

5+ years of relevant professional experience, including at least 3 years of practice directly relevant to federal litigation and regulatory matters related to energy issues.
Juris Doctorate from an ABA-accredited law school and an active bar membership required.
Proficiency with procedural rules and conventions of federal courts.
Experience engaging with energy and infrastructure regulators, such as the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the Department of Energy, the Department of the Interior, and the Council on Environmental Quality.
Knowledge of statutes and regulations related to energy and infrastructure issues, including the Federal Power Act, the Natural Gas Act, and the National Environmental Policy Act.
Familiarity with major energy and infrastructure development issues and ability to substantively engage therewith.
Experience interfacing with a range of stakeholders, including community leaders, companies, industry trade associations, and policymakers with the ability to garner consensus between disparate groups.
Demonstrated experience in regulatory advocacy, litigation, and/or policy development at the state or federal level.
Excellent oral and written communication, with demonstrated ability to effectively communicate comprehensive subject matter expertise and technical and policy findings to colleagues, policymakers, other stakeholders and allies, journalists, and the general public.
Ability to deploy and integrate science, law, economics, and advocacy tools to initiate and win positive environmental change.
Ability to recognize and build on political opportunities for progress.
Strong presentation, interpersonal, and negotiation skills.
Strong analytical, research, and problem-solving abilities; attentive to detail, proactive, and highly organized.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team across multiple time zones.
Demonstrated self-awareness, cultural competency and inclusivity, and ability to work with colleagues and stakeholders across all cultures and backgrounds.
Commitment to EDF’s mission and values, and to advancing clean air and climate solutions.
Ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
Ability and willingness to travel up to 10% of the time.

Responsibilities

Partner with directors and attorneys across the EDF U.S. Region team, and others when applicable, to set and advance project goals, objectives, strategies, and tactics for our clean energy and utility regulatory advocacy.
Lead the development of briefs, motions, draft litigation filings, and administrative comments advocating for relevant priorities.
Conduct research and prepare legal analysis and formal and informal written materials, for internal and external audiences, on legal, legislative, and regulatory issues facing US Clean Energy and relevant teams.
Assess the legal rigor of policy proposals and ensure that EDF priority policies have a robust legal underpinning.
Participate in advancing EDF Organizational Effectiveness and Culture (OEC) goals in which people from all backgrounds and experiences feel connected, included, and empowered to address the environmental and organizational challenges in alignment with EDF values.
Collaborate with internal EDF partners to develop and implement effective communication strategies to build public understanding about clean energy infrastructure.
Influence decision makers through legal filings, official comments, and stakeholder engagement.
Represent EDF at critical external venues, including conferences and hearings.
Work with outside counsel and co-counsel in legal engagements.
Oversee production of policy-relevant analyses and factual testimony, including by EDF internal experts as well as external consultants.
Build, grow and maintain relationships with strategic partners, including environmental justice and community-based organizations.
Work with various coalitions to achieve strategic objectives.
Support fundraising, including contributing to proposals, growing relationships with donors and foundation officers, tracking and reporting progress, and other functions.
Coordinate and collaborate across EDF and multidisciplinary teams to ensure success and alignment with strategies, goals, and objectives.
Mentor junior legal employees, fellows, interns, etc. as applicable.
Additional relevant responsibilities as assigned.