Job Description
Job DescriptionEnergy Regulatory Associate Attorney
Direct Counsel is seeking an Energy Regulatory Associate Attorney to join a nationally recognized energy practice at a sophisticated law firm. This opportunity is available in San Francisco, Seattle, or Portland, with San Francisco preferred.
The attorney will advise a diverse range of energy industry clients, including developers and operators of generation, storage, transmission, and other energy infrastructure; data center clients with complex energy and interconnection needs; utilities; energy market participants; and other organizations navigating the evolving energy landscape. The role will involve a combination of regulatory, project development, and energy transactional matters, including work related to large-scale energy infrastructure projects and growing data center demand.
Responsibilities
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Advise clients on Western state and, as applicable, other state and federal energy regulatory and policy matters.
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Support developers, independent power producers, energy market participants, and utilities in regulatory proceedings and compliance matters.
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Handle matters involving:
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Electric transmission and grid infrastructure
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Ratemaking
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Change of control proceedings
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Interconnection and large-load issues, including data centers
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Natural gas infrastructure and related regulatory frameworks
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Climate and environmental attributes of power supply
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Assist with regulatory and due diligence aspects of energy infrastructure transactions.
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Conduct legal research and draft regulatory filings, client memoranda, and other legal documents.
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Support agency interactions and regulatory proceedings.
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Collaborate across practices on infrastructure development, regulatory strategy, and energy transition matters.
Qualifications
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2-3 years of relevant experience in energy regulatory, project development, or energy infrastructure matters.
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J.D. degree from an accredited law school.
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Admission to practice in California or another relevant U.S. jurisdiction.
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Strong legal research, writing, and analytical skills.
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Experience with electric and/or natural gas regulatory or infrastructure matters.
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Familiarity with interconnection, grid infrastructure, or energy project development.
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Large law firm, government agency, or energy industry experience preferred.
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Familiarity with hydropower licensing or other energy infrastructure permitting is beneficial but not required.
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Interest in the intersection of regulation, climate, infrastructure investment, and emerging energy demands, including data centers.
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Ability to manage multiple complex matters in a collaborative, fast-paced environment.
Location
San Francisco, CA; Seattle, WA; Portland, OR
Compensation
$215,000 - $290,000 annualized salary, with actual compensation dependent on education, training, experience, and other job-related factors.
Additional Information
This opportunity offers direct client exposure, meaningful responsibility, strong mentorship, and the opportunity to work on growing energy infrastructure and data center-related matters within a nationally recognized energy practice.