Associate Attorney – Public Interest Energy/Utilities Law

Spiegel & McDiarmid LLP; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 130,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Merit bonus potential

Excellent benefits

Metro-accessible office

Job summary

Spiegel & McDiarmid LLP, a private law firm with public interest focus, seeks an early to mid-level associate with 1-5 years of energy experience for its litigation, regulatory, and transactional practices representing states, local governments, consumer advocates, and utilities.

The successful candidate will excel in research, writing, and communicating complex ideas before regulators and judges, and will engage in FERC and state proceedings while enjoying a collegial environment and

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor and admission to the District of Columbia Bar.
• 1-5 years of energy sector experience.
• Strong writing and advocacy skills.

Responsibilities

• Represent clients before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), state commissions, and courts in rate cases, merger and wholesale market design proceedings, rulemakings, and other matters.
• Write persuasively about relevant case law, legislation, and regulatory texts to advance client interests.
• Advise clients on regulatory compliance, including reliability standards, NERC matters, hydropower licensing, and antitrust issues.
• Appear at meetings, settlement proceedings, hearings, and trials as needed.
• Stay informed about industry developments and changes to legislation relevant to the firm’s practice areas.
• Take initiative and work collaboratively while handling tasks with professional ethics and data confidentiality.

Skills

Energy law experience

Research ability

Legal writing

Regulatory analysis

Communication skills

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Job description

Spiegel & McDiarmid LLP, a private law firm with a strong public interest focus, seeks an early to mid-level associate with 1-5 years of energy experience for its litigation, regulatory, and transactional practices representing states, local governments, consumer advocates, and municipally- and cooperatively-owned electric and natural gas utilities. We’re looking for an attorney who possesses excellent research, writing, and communication skills, including the ability to understand and present complex ideas in an accessible and persuasive fashion before regulators and judges.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

• Represent clients before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), state commissions, and federal and state courts in rate cases, merger and wholesale market design proceedings, rulemakings, and other matters.
• Think creatively to solve client problems, and write persuasively about relevant case law, legislation, and other legal texts to advance their interests.
• Advise clients on regulatory compliance, such as reliability standards, Regional Transmission Organization requirements, obligations under the Public Utilities Regulatory Policies Act, on hydropower licensing and regulation, and on antitrust law issues.
• Represent clients as needed at meetings, settlement proceedings, hearings, and trials.
• Gain familiarity with industry developments related to the firm’s practice areas and remain abreast of changes to legislation.
• Take initiative and ownership in handling tasks, while working collaboratively with other firm personnel and aligned parties; and
• Adhere to high standards of professional ethics and applicable rules for handling confidential or other sensitive data.

While not required for consideration, we will give particular attention to candidates who can handle the foregoing duties and also have a demonstrated interest in or experience with:

• Electric reliability standards and North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) matters;
• Federal hydropower licensing and regulation; or
• Federal Communication Commission developments, including regulations on telecommunications siting, broadband deployment, and cable franchising.

Along with a collegial environment, the firm offers opportunities to assume substantive responsibilities from the outset, competitive compensation with merit bonus potential, and an excellent benefits package. Our office is Metro-accessible. In addition, we welcome flexible in-office working arrangements, though ideally would like the successful candidate ultimately to be on-site at least 2-3 days a week.

In accordance with the Wage Transparency Omnibus Amendment Act, the expected salary range for this DC position is between $130,000 and $170,000. Actual pay will be adjusted based on experience and job-related factors as permitted by law.

Applicants should be admitted to the District of Columbia Bar or eligible to waive into the District of Columbia Bar.

The firm is an EOE/M/F/V and an e-Verify participant.