Legal Fellow, Zero-Emission Transportation

Overview

Put your passion and skills to work for the planet. Climate change is the most urgent issue of our time, and we need people like you to help us build a vital Earth — for everyone.

We’re Environmental Defense Fund, a fast-paced nonprofit with a growing staff of more than 1,000 people in nearly 30 countries. We deliver game-changing solutions that cut climate pollution and strengthen people’s ability to thrive despite the effects climate change is already having. We work wherever we can have the most impact, from local communities to top companies to governments worldwide, and even in space.

Our culture, values and commitment to diversity make EDF an exciting and meaningful place to work. Every job here makes a difference. Won’t you join us?

Responsibilities

Program Overview

Zero-emission trucks and buses are increasingly available and capable. EDF aims to transition trucks and buses in the U.S. to zero-emission solutions. The stakes are huge. Though trucks and buses represent fewer than 5% of all vehicles, they account for 28% of climate pollution from road transportation and 57% of the soot from vehicles. The next several years are critical to lock in a pace of transition to achieve our goal. We have opportunities to help leading fleets gain an understanding on how to effectively operate zero-emission trucks and set clear transition plans; put in place national and state-level policies that set long-term standards with a clear timeline for transitioning to zero-emission vehicles; and secure investments to strategically deploy charging infrastructure necessary to support these vehicles and help reduce upfront cost barriers.

Overall Function

The Legal Fellow will primarily work on policy advocacy in state forums across the country concerning regulation and oversight of utility programs and practices that are relevant to the electrification of transportation proceeding in a cost-effective, equitable, and environmentally beneficial manner. The Legal Fellow will contribute to these efforts by undertaking research and analysis regarding policy and legal issues, working with EDF staff to hone policy and legal strategy, and working with EDF attorneys and subject matter experts to draft comments and testimony for proceedings in which EDF is a paticipant.  The Legal Fellow will report to Attorney, Energy Transition_._

Key Responsibilities

Tasks may include but are not limited to:

• Conduct legal and factual research on clean transportation and energy issues (i.e. alternative fuels, advanced vehicles, and relevant utility practices including cost allocation and rate design).
• Conduct legal research necessary to inform advocacy before multiple agencies in a variety of states.
• Contribute to regulatory filings and administrative comments.
• Draft public-facing documents such as fact sheets and blog posts about legal and policy issues.
• Represent EDF at public hearings before government agencies.
• Provide other support to the team’s litigation efforts and regulatory advocacy.
• Support environmental justice initiatives, such as leveraging truck and bus electrification to reduce pollution in overburdened communities.
• Participate in advancing EDF Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) goals in which people from all backgrounds and experiences feel connected, included, and empowered to address the environmental and organizational challenges in alignment with EDF values.

Qualifications

We seek recent law school graduates and recent law clerks interested in working on cutting-edge energy and transportation issues. Other qualifications include:

• Licensed to practice law or actively seeking admission to the Bar of any state or DC.
• A Juris Doctorate (J.D.) from an accredited Law School.
• Demonstrated interest or experience in reducing pollution from the transportation sector.
• Demonstrated commitment to public interest law and to advocacy for environmental and public health protections.
• Interest or experience in public policy development and advocacy.
• Interest or experience in administrative law, federal regulatory processes, and federal clean air law.
• Interest or experience in the intersection of law, economics, and business practices.
• Ability to collect, analyze, and interpret legal data and prepare reports of findings.
• Excellent legal research, analytical, writing, and advocacy skills.
• Ability to establish and maintain strong working relationships with internal and external allies.
• Ability to work both independently and as a leader or member of teams in a dynamic and creative environment with colleagues and partners of varied backgrounds and experience.
• Ability to multi-task, prioritize, and meet deadlines.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Demonstrate self-awareness, cultural competency and inclusivity, and ability to work with colleagues and stakeholders across diverse cultures and backgrounds.

Location

New York, NY, Boston, MA or Washington, D.C. preferred, with the possibility to work U.S. Remote.

Term

Two years, starting August 2023.

Application Materials

Interested applicants should attach their cover letter and resume to the EDF application, together with a writing sample, and unofficial law school transcript. In your cover letter, please describe your interest in environmental law and policy work, and any coursework and professional experience relevant to the qualifications.

Pay Ranges

We offer a strong total rewards package encompassing competitive salary, robust benefits, and professional development opportunities consistent with a modern global organization. We take into account factors such as candidate experience, skills, training, internal team equity and local norms.

The pay range for this role is shown below.

Please note that pay ranges are country specific. As a result, the stated currency is not meant be converted into any other currency.

Minimum Salary

USD $84,000.00/Yr.

Maximum Salary

USD $84,000.00/Yr.

EEO Information

Environmental Defense Fund is an equal opportunity employer where an applicant's qualifications are considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other basis prohibited by law.