Clean Energy & Climate Attorney

Conservation Law Foundation (CLF) is seeking a full-time attorney to join our team working to protect New England's environment for all people. The Attorney will work with CLF's Clean Energy and Climate Change program and will be based in CLF's Montpelier, VT office with the opportunity for remote and flexible work within New England. The Attorney's work will focus on legal and policy issues in Vermont. We will also consider candidates who reside in New Hampshire but are willing to occasionally commute to Vermont. The position may be hired as a Senior Attorney or Staff Attorney depending on years of experience.

What you'll do

The Attorney will be a key player in helping us achieve our mission. The Attorney will work independently and as part of state-based and regional teams and coalitions advocating for a just and Clean Energy future. In this role, the Attorney will both lead and support high-impact, cutting-edge advocacy efforts in the energy, transportation and buildings sectors as part of an over-arching strategy to tackle the climate crisis while centering environmental justice.

The Attorney will:

• Devise and execute legal strategies for achieving CLF's advocacy goals, including through litigation;
• Develop relationships, build coalitions, and work collaboratively with community and advocacy groups, public officials, and business interests;
• Build and sustain alliances and coalitions among impacted and allied entities;
• Represent CLF in regulatory, and administrative proceedings;
• Draft public comment letters on projects, policies, and plans;
• Advocate for priority bills before each state's legislature, including oral and written testimony;
• Advocate before Vermont's Public Utility Commission and engage with the regional independent electric system operator, ISO-NE;
• Engage in public outreach efforts on transportation, climate, and energy-related advocacy initiatives;
• Contribute to CLF's commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion;
• Write public educational materials, articles, and opinion pieces and communicate about advocacy work through media outlets and social media; and
• Contribute to the health of our community and the smooth operation of our organization.

What you'll need

We are looking for a motivated and mature self-starter who can work independently and as a productive member of a talented and diverse group of advocates dedicated to CLF's mission and distributed across New England.

To be successful in this role, you'll need:

• At least 2 years of experience practicing law for Staff Attorney I, 5 years for Staff Attorney II and 7 years for Senior Attorney, preferably in the areas of environmental and/or energy law and preferably in Vermont.
• An active license and good standing in Vermont, or an active license and good standing in another state and willingness to become licensed in Vermont.
• Demonstrated experience working with state and federal environmental, energy, and climate laws and a strong grasp of political systems and regulatory proceedings.
• Significant litigation experience in state and federal courts, before regulatory agencies or public utility commissions, or comparable experience.
• Strong analytic abilities, oral and written communication skills, and a commitment to environmental justice advocacy.
• Strong commitment to CLF's mission, including its commitment to diversity, equity and
• Coalition and network building skills, including cultural competence and ability to communicate and collaborate within diverse and multicultural communities.
• A capacity to develop and/or enhance expertise in relevant technical or policy areas.

About CLF

Conservation Law Foundation (CLF) protects New England's environment for the benefit of all people. A non-profit, member-supported organization, CLF uses the law, science, and the market to solve the region's most challenging environmental problems from climate change to ocean conservation to transportation. Every day, CLF advocates stand up for New Englanders-in state houses, court houses and board rooms, regulatory hearings, and community gatherings-to forge innovative paths to environmental progress and economic prosperity for all in our region. To that end, CLF works with communities of color, and those that are economically or otherwise disadvantaged, which often suffer disproportionately from the impacts of environmental degradation.

CLF is committed to representing New England's diversity in our staff, volunteers, boards, and membership and creating a positive, inclusive workplace culture where all can thrive. People of color are encouraged to apply.

Salary & Benefits

CLF offers a competitive salary, an extensive benefits plan, and an open, inclusive, and accepting work environment where differences are highly respected. The starting salary range for Staff Attorney I is $72,000-$84,000, for Staff Attorney II is $79,000-$92,000 and for Senior Attorney $88,000-$104,000. The actual salary will reflect experience and qualifications.

We recognize the value of work-life balance and also strive to create opportunities for growth for all employees through professional development.

CLF considers the health and safety of its staff members and their families, our guests, our visitors, and the community at large to be a top priority. All offers to work, intern, or volunteer with CLF are conditioned on the candidate complying with CLF's mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy.