Calling: Energy and Utilities Unit Consumer Attorney (Remote) – National Consumer Law Center | Salary $128K–$200K yearly

The Energy and Utilities Unit Consumer Attorney role within the National Consumer Law Center (NCLC) represents a high-impact legal position focused on advancing economic justice for low-income and marginalized communities. Operating primarily in the southeastern United States, the attorney supports regulatory advocacy, administrative litigation, and policy reform aimed at improving energy affordability and utility fairness. The position is remote or hybrid, with travel responsibilities, and requires extensive experience in administrative law and energy regulation.

Organizational Context

The National Consumer Law Center is a long-established nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting low-income consumers through legal advocacy, policy development, and technical assistance. Within its Energy and Utilities Unit, the attorney works as part of a broader national team that supports state-level advocates, policymakers, and coalitions.

Key aspects of the organizational environment include:

• A mission-driven focus on economic justice and consumer protection
• Collaboration with state advocacy groups and regulatory bodies
• National-level expertise combined with regional implementation support
• Strong emphasis on equity, inclusion, and systemic reform

Core Responsibilities of the Role

The attorney is expected to operate as a subject-matter expert in energy regulation and utility law, particularly within southeastern state jurisdictions. The role combines litigation, policy analysis, and coalition-building.

Primary functions include:

• Providing technical legal assistance in administrative proceedings before state utility commissions
• Participating in regulatory interventions alongside local consumer advocacy organizations
• Supporting legislative and policy initiatives related to energy affordability
• Conducting in-depth legal and policy research on utility regulation
• Preparing written submissions, briefs, and regulatory comments
• Delivering trainings and capacity-building sessions for advocates and stakeholders
• Representing the organization in public forums, coalitions, and stakeholder meetings

The attorney also contributes to the national Energy and Utilities Unit strategy, ensuring alignment across regional and federal advocacy efforts.

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Policy and Advocacy Focus Areas

The role concentrates on systemic issues affecting energy access and affordability for vulnerable populations. These issues often involve complex regulatory frameworks and utility commission proceedings.

Key focus areas include:

• Electricity and gas rate-setting and affordability
• Utility disconnection policies and consumer protections
• Energy burden reduction for low-income households
• Regulatory oversight of investor-owned utilities
• Clean energy transition impacts on disadvantaged communities
• Consumer rights in administrative utility processes

Required Professional Qualifications

This position requires advanced legal expertise and significant professional experience in administrative law and energy regulation.

Essential qualifications include:

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school
• Minimum of seven years of legal practice experience
• Active bar membership in good standing
• Demonstrated experience in administrative litigation
• Strong background in energy or utility regulatory law
• Experience appearing before state utility commissions
• Ability to manage complex legal and policy projects independently

Desired Skills and Competencies

In addition to technical legal expertise, the attorney is expected to demonstrate strong interpersonal, analytical, and communication skills.

Key competencies include:

• Advanced legal analysis and statutory interpretation
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Ability to build and sustain multi-stakeholder coalitions
• Strong public speaking and advocacy capabilities
• Capacity to work across diverse communities and institutions
• Strategic thinking and policy development skills
• Commitment to equity and racial justice principles

Work Environment and Structure

The position is designed to offer flexibility while maintaining high accountability standards. It is typically remote, with travel required for meetings, hearings, and collaborative engagements.

Work characteristics include:

• Remote or hybrid working arrangement
• Travel across southeastern states and occasional national meetings
• Collaboration with multidisciplinary legal and policy teams
• Engagement with external partners, including government agencies and NGOs

Key Responsibilities Summary (Bullet Points)

The attorney’s work can be summarized across several functional areas:

• Regulatory Advocacy
  • Representation in utility commission proceedings
  • Intervention in energy rate cases and policy hearings
• Research and Legal Writing
  • Development of policy briefs and regulatory filings
  • Legal research on energy law and consumer protection
• Coalition Building
  • Collaboration with regional advocacy organizations
  • Strengthening partnerships across the southeastern U.S.
• Capacity Building
  • Training advocates and stakeholders on regulatory processes
  • Delivering workshops and technical assistance
• Public Engagement
  • Speaking at conferences, hearings, and public forums
  • Engaging with media and policy audiences

Impact and Strategic Importance

This role plays a critical part in shaping equitable energy systems across multiple states. By engaging directly in regulatory processes, the attorney helps influence utility policies that affect millions of households.

The broader impact includes:

• Strengthening legal protections for low-income consumers
• Improving transparency in utility regulation
• Supporting fair and affordable energy access
• Advancing environmental and social justice goals
• Enhancing regional advocacy capacity

Conclusion

The Energy and Utilities Consumer Attorney position is a senior legal role that combines litigation, policy advocacy, and coalition leadership. It requires deep expertise in administrative and energy law, alongside a strong commitment to social justice and equity. Through regulatory engagement and strategic partnerships, the attorney contributes directly to systemic reforms that improve energy affordability and protect vulnerable communities across the southeastern United States.

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