Legal Fellow, Clean Energy Transition

Program Overview

The Beyond Gas and Equitable Regulatory Solutions team within EDF’s Legal and Regulatory team focuses on state, regional, and national efforts to accelerate the transition away from natural gas use for power generation and for building heating. The team is sharply focused on the imperative of an equitable energy transition that urgently decreases emissions from fossil fuels and prioritizing benefits for communities that have been disproportionately impacted by existing energy systems.

Legal Fellows contribute meaningfully to the team's work, using a layered approach of regulatory advocacy and community partnership. We aim to make our Legal Fellow’s experience relevant, challenging, and rewarding. Our Legal Fellows have directly contributed towards landmark cases over the years and have supported activities including U.S. Supreme Court litigation, D.C. Circuit litigation over greenhouse gas regulation under the Clean Air Act, major international agreements, and guidelines regarding trans-boundary pollution control programs in the U.S./Mexico border region, and projects that work towards ensuring protections for low-income and frontline communities from air pollution, including the 2023 Illinois “regulatory earthquake” that slashed proposed gas utility rate hikes and initiated a Future of Gas proceeding for the State of Illinois. Our Legal Fellows also help shape regulatory policies on issues key to communities participating in the clean energy transition. In Massachusetts, our Legal Fellow conducted in-depth research on meaningful community engagement and then presented that research at a technical conference convened by the Department of Public Utilities. Our Legal Fellows work in a high-intensity, fast-paced, multi-disciplinary setting to formulate and implement strategies, laws, and policies.

Overall Function

The Legal Fellow, Clean Energy Transition will primarily work on state and regional projects and cases aimed at reducing air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions as well as the burdens of fossil fuel infrastructure for overburdened communities. The work will include a heavy emphasis on public utility regulation and electric sector regulation. This position will focus on activity and action before entities including public utility commissions, including the Illinois Commerce Commission, the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities, other state energy regulators, and regional grid operators. Additionally, the Legal Fellow will also focus on deepening relationships with existing community-based partners, growing relationship with new allies, and advancing innovative new legal strategies to empower community participation in energy decision-making processes. As a member of the Legal and Regulatory team, the Legal Fellow may also be asked to support our other efforts to reduce air pollution from power plants and other major sources through litigation, regulatory advocacy, and legislation.

The Legal Fellow will report to the Senior Attorney, Beyond Gas.

Key Responsibilities

Tasks may include but are not limited to:

• Conduct legal and factual research on climate and energy issues.
• Contribute to litigation filings and administrative comments, including implementation of the Illinois Climate and Equitable Jobs Act.
• Contribute to investigatory filings and comments regarding the future role of local gas distribution companies in assisting the Commonwealth in meeting its climate goals.
• Evaluate the energy justice, health and environmental implications of pending legislation, and work on new legislation to advance our priorities.
• Draft public-facing documents such as fact sheets and blog posts about legal issues.
• Represent EDF at public hearings before government agencies.
• Collaborate within the environmental advocacy community through the Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition and other advocacy groups.
• Provide other support to the team's litigation efforts and regulatory advocacy.
• Support environmental justice initiatives, particularly those related to addressing the disparate impacts of climate change and energy systems.
• Engage in regulatory and administrative proceedings.
• Participate in advancing EDF Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion 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.

Qualifications

• A recent Juris Doctorate (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school.
• Licensed to practice law or actively seeking admission to the Bar, with background in energy and/or administrative law.
• Interest in working on cutting edge state, regional, and national climate and energy issues.
• Familiarity with state energy regulation.
• Interest and/or experience in community engagement, relationship-building, or organizing.
• Excellent legal research, analytical, writing and advocacy skills.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to use independent judgment and discretion to determine or recommend the best course of action.
• Ability to establish and maintain working relationships with internal and external allies.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively as a member of teams in a dynamic and creative environment with colleagues and partners of varied backgrounds and experience across multiple time zones.
• Ability to establish and maintains strong working relationships with internal and external allies.
• Demonstrated self-awareness, cultural competency and inclusivity, and ability to work with colleagues and stakeholders across diverse cultures and backgrounds.
• Demonstrated initiative and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to multi-task, prioritize and meet deadlines.
• Ability to respond to challenges, be flexible, and adapt quickly.
• Computer proficiency, experience with Microsoft Word and PowerPoint.

Location

U.S. Remote, with possibility to work out of any EDF Office location (Austin, TX; Boston, MA; Boulder, CO; New York, NY; Raleigh, NC; San Francisco, CA; Washington, D.C.).

Term

2 years, with an opportunity for promotion by second year as attorney pending Bar admission and strong performance review, with anticipated start date of February 2025.

Compensation

We offer a strong total rewards package encompassing competitive salary, robust benefits, and professional development opportunities consistent with a modern global organization. The annual salary for this role is $84,000.

Application Materials

Interested applicants should attach their cover letter and resume to the EDF application, together with a writing sample. In your cover letter, please describe your interest in energy law and policy work, any relevant completed coursework, and experience relevant to the qualifications.