Energy Regulatory Associate Attorney

Job Description

Job Description

Energy 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

• Advise clients on Western state and, as applicable, other state and federal energy regulatory and policy matters.

• Support developers, independent power producers, energy market participants, and utilities in regulatory proceedings and compliance matters.

• Handle matters involving:

  • Electric transmission and grid infrastructure

  • Ratemaking

  • Change of control proceedings

  • Interconnection and large-load issues, including data centers

  • Natural gas infrastructure and related regulatory frameworks

  • Climate and environmental attributes of power supply

• Assist with regulatory and due diligence aspects of energy infrastructure transactions.

• Conduct legal research and draft regulatory filings, client memoranda, and other legal documents.

• Support agency interactions and regulatory proceedings.

• Collaborate across practices on infrastructure development, regulatory strategy, and energy transition matters.

Qualifications

• 2-3 years of relevant experience in energy regulatory, project development, or energy infrastructure matters.

• J.D. degree from an accredited law school.

• Admission to practice in California or another relevant U.S. jurisdiction .

• Strong legal research, writing, and analytical skills.

• Experience with electric and/or natural gas regulatory or infrastructure matters.

• Familiarity with interconnection, grid infrastructure, or energy project development.

• Large law firm, government agency, or energy industry experience preferred.

• Familiarity with hydropower licensing or other energy infrastructure permitting is beneficial but not required.

• Interest in the intersection of regulation, climate, infrastructure investment, and emerging energy demands, including data centers.

• 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.