Senior Attorney, Clean Transportation

Duration

This is a two-year fixed term position with the opportunity for extension.

Location

This position may be based remotely anywhere within the U.S.

Overall Function

The Senior Attorney, Clean Transportation, will develop and implement strategies on complex legal and policy matters to reduce climate and health harming pollution and to enhance equity, with a focus on pollution from the transportation sector. As part of EDF’s Legal and Regulatory team and working closely with a team of attorneys, scientists, economists, and policy specialists, the Senior Attorney will focus on developing, advancing, and defending key state and federal transportation sector policies before the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), other agencies, and the courts, including EPA pollution standards for new light-, medium-, and heavy-duty vehicles, and California mobile source standards. The Senior Attorney will engage in efforts to defend the Inflation Reduction Act’s climate and energy provisions with a focus on transportation sector-related tax credits before the Department of Treasury and in other venues.

The Senior Attorney reports to EDF’s Director and Lead Counsel, Transportation and Clean Air.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop litigation strategy in complex cases to effectively advance EDF’s climate, clean energy, and health priorities before the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Department of Treasury, the California Air Resources Board and other decisionmakers, partners, and policymakers.
• Interpret key court decisions and lead the development of briefs, motions, and other litigation documents, representing EDF in cases related to protections reducing climate and health-harming pollution and supporting EDF litigation priorities.
• Advocate for relevant policies before federal and state policy makers.
• Prepare detailed legal and policy submissions and comments in the context of complex regulatory proceedings, as well as administrative petitions and other formal administrative requests.
• Participate in advancing EDF DEI 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.
• Develop, strengthen, and maintain strategic partnerships with a wide range of stakeholders including public health, environmental, and environmental justice allies.
• Analyze key legal authorities and develop legal memoranda in support of strategic decision making.
• Collaborate with EDF technical experts and consultants to develop reports and whitepapers to influence public policy and engage in public education and outreach.
• Advise, supervise, and mentor junior staff and legal interns, as applicable.
• Assist Development staff in fundraising efforts, including drafting funding proposals and reports for benefactors and foundations.
• Maintain strong relationships with allies and professionally represent EDF at internal and external events with senior stakeholders.
• Additional relevant responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in the practice area, a Juris Doctorate degree from a school of law accredited by the American Bar Association, and active bar membership in good standing required. 
• Tax law experience or familiarity with IRA transportation credit provisions a plus.
• Demonstrated expertise in the Clean Air Act preferred.
• Demonstrated history of success in advocating for state and federal policy reforms through advocacy or legislative efforts.  
• Ability to think strategically and work on fast-paced, dynamic issues.  
• Excellent oral and written communication, presentation, interpersonal, and negotiation skills. 
• Attentive to detail, proactive, and highly organized. 
• Strong problem solving, research, and analytical skills. 
• Demonstrated self-awareness, cultural competency and inclusivity, and ability to work with colleagues and stakeholders across diverse cultures and backgrounds. 
• Ability to recognize and build on political opportunities for progress. 
• Experience developing innovative solutions to more complex problems that impact the organization’s objectives and success. 
• Ability to plan workload, manage competing priorities, meet tight deadlines, and adapt to shifting strategies in response to new events and information.
• Ability to represent EDF in litigation, before senior government officials, and in external partnerships.
• Strong ability to work both independently and collaboratively with a multidisciplinary team across multiple time zones.