Direct Counsel is seeking a Senior Energy Associate to join a Chambers-ranked Energy Regulatory practice in Washington, D.C. This is an exceptional opportunity for an attorney with energy regulatory and transactional experience to work at the forefront of one of the fastest-growing sectors in the industry: data center power and infrastructure development.
The ideal candidate will have experience advising clients on energy regulatory matters, transactional projects, and proceedings before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and/or state utility commissions. This role offers the opportunity to work on market-leading matters involving data centers, renewable energy, power generation, transmission infrastructure, LNG facilities, and other critical energy assets.
Responsibilities
Advise clients on a broad range of energy regulatory, transactional, and project development matters
Represent clients in proceedings before:
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)
State utility commissions
Regional Transmission Organizations (RTOs)
Negotiate and structure:
Data center power supply agreements
Energy infrastructure transactions
Project development agreements
Energy-related commercial contracts
Draft pleadings, briefs, regulatory filings, and legal memoranda
Conduct administrative litigation and regulatory advocacy
Work with expert witnesses and consultants in preparing testimony and regulatory submissions
Support mergers and acquisitions, private equity investments, and project finance transactions involving energy assets
Advise clients on compliance, regulatory strategy, and evolving market developments
Participate in settlement negotiations, contract negotiations, and policy advocacy initiatives
Work directly with clients on strategic business and regulatory matters
Qualifications
J.D. from an accredited law school
6–8 years of relevant experience
Experience in energy regulatory and/or energy transactional matters
Experience with:
FERC proceedings
State utility commission matters
Energy infrastructure projects
Energy regulatory counseling
Strong legal research, writing, and analytical skills
Ability to manage sophisticated matters with increasing independence
Excellent communication and client relationship skills
Interest in working at the intersection of regulatory, transactional, and infrastructure development matters
Strong academic credentials
Preferred Experience
Data center energy transactions
Power supply negotiations
Administrative litigation
Energy project development
Renewable energy projects
Power generation and transmission matters
LNG infrastructure
Project finance transactions
M&A involving energy assets
RTO-related matters
Representative Client Base
Data center developers
Public utilities
Independent power producers
Independent transmission companies
Private equity investors
Tax equity investors
Activist investors
Oil and gas companies
Compensation & Benefits
Salary range: $390,000 – $435,000
Compensation based on experience, qualifications, and other operational considerations