Attorney, Clean Energy

Western Resource Advocates

5d•$90,950 - $123,625•Hybrid

About The Position

Western Resource Advocates (WRA) is hiring an Attorney or Senior Attorney to join our Clean Energy team. The Attorney, Clean Energy will represent WRA in state-level administrative proceedings, as well as state and federal litigation as necessary with direction and guidance from a senior team member. With guidance from a Senior Attorney or the Deputy Director of State Advocacy, the Attorney will manage a docket of regulatory litigation, primarily before state electric utility regulatory agencies. The Attorney will also identify opportunities to advance WRA’s policy goals in various regulatory proceedings and execute actions to secure those outcomes. The Senior Attorney, Clean Energy will represent WRA in state-level administrative proceedings, as well as state and federal litigation, as necessary. The Senior Attorney will independently manage a docket of complex regulatory litigation, primarily before state electric utility regulatory agencies, with minimal direct oversight. The Senior Attorney will also identify opportunities to advance WRA’s policy goals in various regulatory proceedings and execute actions to secure those outcomes. About Western Resource Advocates WRA fights climate change and its impacts to sustain the environment, economy, and people of the West. We respect the different needs of diverse people and partner with them to develop a shared vision for progress—one that advances communities while protecting biodiversity. Our team of policy experts, scientists, economists, and attorneys has a 30-year history of working where decisions are made, sweating the details, creating evidence-based solutions, and holding decision makers accountable. This on-the-ground-work with policymakers and other advocates advances clean energy, protects air, land, water, and wildlife—and sustains the lives and livelihoods of the West. Location The preferred location for this position is in Nevada. The position may work remotely in Nevada or in WRA’s Reno, Nevada office, or a hybrid of the two. The alternate locations for this position may include working remotely in Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, or Utah, or in those respective state offices, or a hybrid of the two. Note the candidate must be licensed to practice law in Nevada.

Requirements

Juris Doctor degree from an ABA-accredited law school and licensed to practice law in Nevada.
Ability to support and manage a deadline-driven docket of regulatory litigation.
Understanding of environmental, energy, or other types of administrative law as well as current issues in energy regulation and policy.
Ability to develop and maintain relationships and successfully engage in building broad-based coalitions to advance our goals.
Ability to work closely with technical experts to develop and execute case strategies.
Analytical skills.
Strong oral and written communication skills with the ability to influence policymakers, partners, and other stakeholders on complex subjects.
Commitment to WRA’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion goals.
Juris Doctor degree from an ABA-accredited law school and licensed to practice law in Nevada.
At least 6 years of relevant litigation experience, including experience with cross examination of witnesses.
Ability to work independently and with autonomy, knowing when to seek input and guidance from supervisor.
Ability to manage a deadline-driven docket of relevant court, regulatory, and legislative proceedings.
Extensive background in environmental, energy, or other types of administrative law and a strong understanding of current issues in energy regulation and policy.
Excellent ability to develop and maintain relationships and successfully engage in building broad-based coalitions to advance our goals.
Ability to work closely with technical experts to develop and execute case strategies.
Exceptional analytical skills.
Superior oral and written communication skills with the ability to influence policymakers, partners, and other stakeholders on complex subjects.
Commitment to WRA’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion goals.

Nice To Haves

Experience independently managing a deadline-driven docket of complex regulatory litigation, with minimal supervision.
Significant experience as a litigator in state public utility regulatory proceedings.
Expertise with air quality law, regional or national electric markets, or climate policy.
Existing relationships with key energy stakeholders or policymakers in the Interior West.

Responsibilities

Represent WRA in state and regional level utility regulatory and planning proceedings, courts, legislative bodies, with direction and guidance from a senior team member.
Provide counsel and strategic advice regarding state and federal energy regulation, climate policy, and administrative law with direction and guidance from a senior team member.
Prepare discovery, pleadings, briefs, oral argument, cross-examination, and testimony for regulatory proceedings with direction and guidance from a senior team member.
Support settlement agreement negotiation and drafting.
Research and Identify opportunities to advance WRA’s conservation policy goals.
Advise and work collaboratively with technical program staff serving as expert witnesses.
Work directly with the region’s electric and gas utilities, state and municipal governments, consumer groups, the environmental community, and other stakeholders to advance policies aimed at accelerating a clean energy transition.
Provide legal and strategic advice on non-regulatory matters as needed with direction or supervision from a senior team member.
Build relationships and work with representatives of regulated utilities, regulators, consumer advocates, clean energy and environmental advocates, state government agencies, and other gas and electric industry stakeholders to advance the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
Effectively engage in coalitions of diverse partners to achieve results.
Assist with grant proposals and reports.
Coordinate with other WRA policy teams to execute a common set of strategic priorities.
Collaborate with WRA’s policy, Government Affairs, and Communications staff to craft outreach strategies and messaging that accurately and persuasively convey WRA’s positions to stakeholders and decision makers.
Represent WRA in state and regional level utility regulatory and planning proceedings, courts, legislative bodies, and other forums with limited direction or guidance.
Provide counsel and strategic advice regarding state and federal energy regulation, climate policy, and administrative law with limited direction or supervision.
Independently develop and execute legal strategies to achieve WRA’s policy objectives.
Prepare discovery, pleadings, briefs, oral argument, cross-examination, and testimony for regulatory proceedings with limited direction or supervision.
Negotiate and draft complex settlement agreements.
Identify and create opportunities to advance WRA’s conservation policy goals.

Benefits

WRA’s excellent benefits package includes a 401(k)-retirement plan with up to 5% matching and health, dental, vision, and life & disability insurance with 100% of premiums paid by WRA. Annually, staff receive seventeen days paid vacation leave to start, twelve paid sick days, one paid volunteer day, twelve paid holidays, and WRA is closed for Winter Break between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day for additional paid time off. Employees are eligible for up to twelve weeks of parental leave, and after five years, staff are eligible for up to twelve weeks of paid sabbatical leave.

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