ENVIRONMENTAL LAW & POLICY CLINIC - Staff Attorney

This is a FULL-TIME, TEMPORARY 17-MONTH, GRANT-FUNDED, IN PERSON POSITION PAYING $90,000 FOR THE FIRST 12 MONTHS AND $38,000 FOR THE REMAINING 5 MONTHS.

The Staff Attorney (SA) will undertake collaborative research on (1) decision-making at the Public Utility Commission of Pennsylvania (PA PUC) and the Public Utility Commission of Ohio (PUCO) pertaining to clean energy issues and (2) public participation at PA PUC and PUCO. This position offers an exceptional opportunity for an attorney with experience in public utility law to focus on electricity governance research within a supportive academic setting, thus building the SA’s research credentials to pursue law careers at universities, policy institutions and government agencies. The SA will undertake collaborative research, working closely with Prof. Shanti Gamper-Rabindran, professor at the Pitt School of Law and GSPIA will apply legal and social science research methods and analysis to specific questions on electricity governance and co-author with Gamper-Rabindran two or three high-quality research papers for publication in social science or law journals, which are the project deliverables to the funder. The SA will provide directions on research tasks to law students who will provide research assistance for the project.

Required Qualifications

 J.D. from an accredited law school and admission to a state bar.

•  Authorized to work in the United States (This position will not provide any sponsorship for work authorization.)

   

• Demonstrated knowledge or interest in public utility regulation.
• Strong legal research and writing skills.
•  Ability to manage complex research projects with attention to detail and timelines.
• Ability to work collaboratively with senior and student researchers.
• Experience conducting legal and social science research.

• Commitment to working the entire scheduled 17 months on the project to complete the deliverables.

   

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in public utility law, energy regulatory practice, or PUC proceedings.
• Familiarity with PUC dockets, ratemaking or rulemaking practice, or energy agency proceedings in Pennsylvania, Ohio, or comparable jurisdictions.
• Demonstrated interest in legal scholarship and policy research (e.g. contributions to law review publications or policy reports).
•  Knowledge of Pennsylvania or Ohio energy regulatory frameworks or comparable restructured markets.
• Experience in a law clinic, legal aid office, government agency, or other public interest legal setting.

• Experience interviewing or interacting with stakeholders or focus groups.

   

Required Documents 

• Cover letter describing your interest in the position and relevant background
• Resume or curriculum vitae
• Writing sample (10-20 pages preferred)
• Contact information for 3 references

Assists in litigating complex immigration cases before immigration courts, federal courts, and administrative agencies. Advises upper-level law students and assists in planning and teaching clinic seminars. Participates in community outreach events.

• Review and analyze PUC dockets, orders, and proceedings in Pennsylvania and Ohio, focusing on decisions involving renewable energy, energy efficiency, distributed energy resources, large load entities and related issues.

• Conduct statutory and regulatory analysis of state public utility law frameworks in both states.

• Research and synthesize administrative law, case law, and agency guidance relevant to PUC decision-making and public participation.

• Assess the technical, economic and legal arguments presented by various intervenors and other stakeholders and PUC staff, judges, and commissioners in PUC proceedings.

• Contribute to the design of questionnaires to solicit the views of PUC staff and various stakeholders (e.g., energy and consumer groups and the public) to learn about public participation at PUCs.

• Secure interviews and conduct in-person and virtual interviews of PUC staff and other stakeholders in electricity governance issues.

• Contribute to the drafting and submission of two or three high-quality research papers to social science or law journals.  

Little physical effort is required.  Duties are primarily sedentary.  May be required to move objects up to 25 pounds occasionally.

The University of Pittsburgh is an equal opportunity employer / disability / veteran.