Senior Attorney, Clean Energy Program

Earthjustice is the nation's leading environmental law organization. We wield the power of law and the strength of partnership to protect people's health, preserve magnificent places and wildlife, advance clean energy, and combat climate change. We are here because the Earth needs a good lawyer.

Driven by a passion for justice, inclusion, partnership, and excellence, our core values lead us to seek a broad range of perspectives and backgrounds to achieve our mission and maintain an inclusive environment where all staff are valued and respected.

Earthjustice's Clean Energy Program (CEP) is comprised of more than 50 attorneys and professional staff, based in locations across the country. The Clean Energy Program litigates and advocates across the country to secure a clean and equitable electricity grid, cut power sector emissions and hold polluters accountable, and electrify our building and transportation sectors. Specifically, we work before public utility commissions, in the courts, at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), Department of Energy (DOE) and other federal and state agencies, to end our nation's reliance on dirty, expensive, and outdated coal-fired power; clean up toxic coal ash; stop a rush to build new gas generation and cut existing gas use; scale and increase access to clean energy resources; advance electrification; and build a more equitable energy system.

Position Summary

Earthjustice is looking for a collaborative and experienced Senior Attorney to join a team of FERC and DOE practitioners within the Clean Energy Program. This attorney will help the FERC/DOE team navigate thorny appellate litigation issues- such as justiciability concerns, remedies, and interpretation of statutes, regulations, and tariffs- that affect our clients' ability to vindicate their rights.

This attorney is expected to provide research and to advise FERC/DOE case teams on a variety of appellate matters ranging from brief structure and argument framing to litigation strategies and novel or difficult legal issues that arise during litigation. Aside from direct litigation, this role will develop subject matter expertise in FERC-jurisdictional matters for a region and/or topic area (e.g.. electric transmission regulations and processes) and help the FERC/DOE team remain current on legal developments that impact FERC/DOE litigation and advocacy.

The attorney will also coordinate with Earthjustice's Strategic Legal Advocacy team on matters that cross over with FERC/DOE litigation and advocacy.

This is a non-supervisory position, and the Senior Attorney is expected to work a full-time (37.5 hours/week) schedule and may work hybrid from the following locations: Washington D.C., New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, Los Angeles, or San Francisco.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Litigation strategy, support, and leadership (75%)

• Serve as a partner and resource to the DOE/FERC case teams who encounter difficult, novel, or important legal issues with consequences for future Earthjustice litigation, such as by reviewing drafts; providing drafting assistance; being a moot court judge; or serving as lead counsel on cases or amicus briefs
• Track developments in federal and state courts that impact Earthjustice's ability to successfully litigate FERC and DOE-jurisdictional claims and develop responses and, where appropriate, organizational best practices, to counter negative developments
• Develop toolkit of appellate litigation best practices, including practices that attorneys should implement when developing a record in the administrative forum

Subject Matter Expert (25%)

• Develop and maintain subject matter expertise in either a region and/or specific area of energy regulatory law that is relevant to Earthjustice's mission

Track and apprise Earthjustice attorneys of developments related to your assigned region and/or subject matter area

• Provide advocacy and litigation support to Earthjustice's clients, coalition partners, and Regional Offices on proceedings related to your assigned region and/or subject matter area

Ongoing Learning

• Actively pursue professional development and contribute to a culture of learning by building skills and sharing knowledge

Please note that the percentage breakdowns provided above serve as a guideline and that other duties may be assigned as part of the job's requirements.

Qualifications

• A minimum of 7 years of legal experience preferred, with a strong preference for candidates with a state or federal appellate clerkship
• Substantial experience leading the drafting of appellate briefs
• Experience arguing cases before appellate courts strongly preferred
• Experience coordinating large litigation teams, client groups, or coalitions strongly preferred
• A deep familiarity with, and demonstrated interest in, administrative law, including relevant constitutional law doctrines
• An interest in environmental and energy law and litigation
• Superior legal research, brief writing, and oral advocacy skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to build and maintain partnerships, understand and influence stakeholders, listen to and learn from others, and motivate and inspire peers
• Demonstrated commitment to Earthjustice's values of Justice, Excellence, Inclusion, and Partnership.
• Skill in leading diverse teams with emotional intelligence and cultural competence; fosters growth through mentorship, effective communication, and constructive feedback while hiring and developing team talents to align with organizational needs.

We offer a competitive salary and excellent, comprehensive benefits. We also offer a casual and congenial work environment.

Salary

Salaries at Earthjustice are determined by experience level and location.

San Francisco and New York City: $175,500 -$217,100

Washington, D.C., Chicago, Los Angeles: $166,700-$206,200

Philadelphia: $158,000-$195,400

To Apply

Interested candidates should submit via Jobvite:

• Resume
• Cover letter
• Writing Sample

Preference will be given to candidates who apply by May 20, 2026. After that, applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. For this position, we are looking to hire a candidate who is available to start in the immediate future.

Information about our hiring process and tips for success can be found at https://earthjustice.org/about/jobs/hiring-process. Please reach out to [email protected] if you are having technical difficulties submitting your application.

As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to employment practices that ensure that employees and applicants for employment are provided with equal opportunities without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information or any other factor that is not related to the position.