Our AmLaw client is seeking a California-barred associate with 4–7 years of environmental, land use, or energy regulatory experience to advise sponsors of significant energy and infrastructure projects. The San Diego-based role spans permitting, administrative proceedings, litigation, and transactional support.
The Work
- Advise utilities, energy companies, and infrastructure developers on federal, state, and local project approvals, with substantial work involving CEQA, NEPA, and related regulatory frameworks.
- Represent clients in proceedings before agencies including the California Public Utilities Commission, California Energy Commission, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, California Coastal Commission, State Lands Commission, and State and Regional Water Boards.
- Support development of major electric transmission lines, renewable and conventional generation, utility systems, data centers, and projects involving offshore or onshore wind, solar, battery storage, water infrastructure, geothermal energy, or carbon capture and storage.
- Defend project approvals against collateral challenges and handle environmental defense and administrative claims in federal and state courts.
- Counsel on natural-resources consultation, permitting, and mitigation involving endangered species, wetlands and waters, coastal development, historic preservation, and tribal or stakeholder engagement.
- Conduct environmental and regulatory due diligence and draft transactional documents for energy and infrastructure acquisitions, divestitures, project financings, and real estate transactions.
- Run matters with substantial independence, manage client relationships, coordinate technical and scientific information, and mentor junior associates and paralegals on project teams.
What You Bring
- Four to seven years of environmental, land use, or energy regulatory experience at a major law firm, relevant government agency, or highly regarded environmental boutique.
- Strong familiarity with CEQA, NEPA, and related natural-resources laws and regulatory processes.
- Active membership in good standing with the State Bar of California.
- Experience independently managing matters, client relationships, and legal deliverables.
- Excellent legal research, analysis, drafting, and counseling skills.
- Ability to translate complex technical or scientific material for clients, regulators, and decisionmakers.
- Experience with project sponsors in electric transmission, offshore or onshore wind, solar, battery storage, water infrastructure, geothermal, or carbon capture and storage is highly valued.
- Familiarity with the California Independent System Operator planning process is highly valued.
- Ability to supervise and review junior team members’ work while contributing to a collaborative, client-focused practice.
Why Consider It
Join a collaborative California team working on energy transition and infrastructure matters with meaningful responsibility for client work, regulatory proceedings, and litigation.
The platform offers hands-on mentorship from industry leaders and connection to a global Projects, Energy, Environment and Resources practice.
Compensation & Benefits
The stated annual compensation range is $310,000–$420,000, with eligibility for an annual discretionary bonus, 401(k), medical, dental and vision insurance, personal medical and parental leave, paid holidays, and family care benefits.
Confidentiality
This is a confidential opportunity. Contact Advocates Legal Recruiting to discuss the role and receive additional details about the client and team. All inquiries will be handled confidentially.