Senior Energy Regulatory Associate

Stoel Rives LLP; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 266,000 - 325,000; Full time

Job summary

Stoel Rives LLP seeks a senior regulatory attorney with five or more years of energy regulatory law to join its Energy Development Practice Group. This role can be based in any office, with a preference for the Portland or Minneapolis office.

You will advise on federal, state, and local energy regulation, manage filings, advocate before agencies, negotiate project agreements, and mentor junior attorneys, contributing to client development and industry leadership.

Qualifications

• Five or more years of experience in energy regulatory law, administrative law, or closely related practice.
• Strong understanding of energy policy, ratemaking, decarbonization initiatives, and emerging regulatory frameworks.
• Demonstrated experience advising energy companies, consumers, utilities, agencies, or infrastructure clients on regulatory strategy and compliance.
• Background may include in-house regulatory leadership or government agency experience.
• Excellent writing, oral advocacy, and analytical skills.

Responsibilities

• Advise clients on federal, state, and local regulatory frameworks governing energy infrastructure and regulatory strategy.
• Prepare and oversee regulatory filings, including rate cases, certificates of need, cost recovery proceedings, and rulemakings.
• Lead and manage administrative proceedings before state regulatory agencies and related negotiations.
• Draft and negotiate agreements related to project development, power supply, operations, and regulatory approvals.
• Collaborate with transactional, environmental, real estate and litigation teams on complex matters.
• Mentor junior attorneys and contribute to client development and industry engagement.

Skills

Energy regulatory law

Regulatory filings

Oral advocacy

Legal writing

Analytical skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Team leadership

Education

J.D. from an accredited law school

Job description

Stoel Rives LLP is seeking a senior-level regulatory attorney with five or more years of experience to join its Energy Development Practice Group. This position can be based in any one of the firm’s offices, with a preference for the Portland or Minneapolis office.

Our Energy & Regulatory Team

Stoel Rives is a nationally recognized leader in the energy and natural resources industries, advising clients across the full lifecycle of project development—from siting and permitting to financing, operations, and regulatory compliance. Our attorneys work closely with clients on cutting-edge issues including decarbonization policy, renewable energy development, power supply for energy-intensive industries, transmission, and emerging technologies. The team collaborates across offices to deliver strategic, business-focused solutions to utilities, developers, large energy users, and investors navigating a rapidly evolving energy landscape.

Responsibilities

• Advise clients on federal, state, and local regulatory frameworks governing electric, natural gas, and other energy infrastructure, and on regulatory strategy, compliance, and policy development related to energy and environmental mandates.
• Prepare and oversee regulatory filings, including rate cases, certificates of need, cost recovery proceedings, and rulemakings.
• Lead and manage administrative proceedings before state regulatory agencies , and related negotiations.
• Draft and negotiate agreements related to project development, power supply, operations, and regulatory approvals.
• Collaborate with transactional, environmental, real estate and litigation teams on complex, multidisciplinary matters.
• Mentor junior attorneys and contribute to client development, thought leadership, and industry engagement.

Qualifications

• Five or more years of experience in energy regulatory law, administrative law, or closely related practice.
• Strong understanding of energy policy, ratemaking, decarbonization initiatives, and emerging regulatory frameworks.
• Demonstrated experience advising energy companies, consumers, utilities, agencies, or infrastructure clients on regulatory strategy and compliance. Significant experience handling regulatory proceedings and filings before state utility commissions and/or FERC.
• Background may include in-house regulatory leadership or government agency experience .
• Excellent writing, oral advocacy, and analytical skills.
• Proven ability to manage complex matters and work collaboratively across teams.
• J.D. from an accredited law school with strong academic credentials. Active bar admission in the relevant jurisdiction or ability to obtain admission by waiver.

Hours Expectations & Compensation

The hours expectation for this position is 1,800 billable hours and an “all-in” hours expectation of 2,150 hours. The billable hours expectation includes up to 50 pro bono hours. All-in hours include all billable hours, all pro bono hours, and investment hours. Investment activities include business development, professional development, mentoring and coaching, recruiting, contributing to the firm’s workplace culture, and civic and community activities.

To be eligible for a bonus, associates must reach or exceed 1,850 billable hours (inclusive of up to 50 pro bono hours) and meet or exceed the all-in hours expectation.

The base compensation for this position is $295,000+, inclusive of salaries for preferred seniority levels in all listed markets. Base compensation presented to an individual candidate may vary based on skills and overall experience.

Developing & Retaining Talent

Stoel Rives places a high priority on attracting, developing, and retaining lawyers and business professionals.

We offer a variety of training programs and retreats addressing practice area topics and skills at all levels, as well as legal and professional skills generally. We have a coaching and mentoring program, and our new lawyer integration program provides lawyers who are new to the firm with the resources and information necessary to succeed after they join the firm. Finally, we have a core competency model which is a roadmap of the practical skills, abilities, and client service techniques needed for long-term success at the firm.

We value lawyers and business professionals who bring to the firm different backgrounds and experiences. Our people bring a variety of educational backgrounds, unique career experiences, bodies of knowledge, technical abilities, and community involvement. This variety makes us better at advising and serving our clients and it ensures a positive and supportive workplace for everyone.

We are proud participants in the ABA Well-Being Pledge, strongly believing that the well-being of our people is paramount to the success of the firm.