Western Resource Advocates (WRA): Clean Energy Legal Internship
Contact Name: Meagan Kadlec
Email: meagan.kadlec@westernresources.org
Position Title: Clean Energy Legal Internship
Position Description: Western Resource Advocates (WRA) seeks a curious and driven law student to join our Clean Energy Team this Winter as an intern. The Clean Energy Legal Intern will focus on energy law and policy, particularly as it relates to climate change, administrative law, and equitable state energy policy. The main research project the Intern will work on is designed to provide background information and recommendations for WRA to develop a policy strategy for reducing greenhouse gas emissions associated with natural gas end-uses in Utah. The Clean Energy Legal Intern will report to the Senior Staff Attorney in Utah, and will work closely with other WRA staff attorneys, analysts, and government affairs personnel, with opportunities to learn and grow while working with other clean energy professionals.
ABOUT WESTERN RESOURCE ADVOCATES
WRA fights climate change and its impacts to sustain the environment, economy, and people of the West. We respect the different needs of diverse people and partner with them to develop a shared vision for progress—one that advances communities while protecting biodiversity.
Our team of policy experts, scientists, economists, and attorneys has a 30-year history of working where decisions are made, sweating the details, creating evidence-based solutions, and holding decisionmakers accountable. This on the ground work with policymakers and other advocates advances clean energy, protects air, land, water, and wildlife—and sustains the lives and livelihoods of the West.
LOCATION
This position has the option to be fully remote due to the COVID-19 pandemic, or work from one of WRA’s offices. WRA has offices in Salt Lake City, UT; Phoenix, AZ; Santa Fe, NM; Carson City, NV; Denver, CO; and Boulder, CO. The manager of this internship is based in Salt Lake City. Candidates may be based anywhere in the United States, as long as they are available during our regular office hours.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACTIVITIES
Conduct legal research on subjects associated with WRA’s energy policy work, primarily related to public utilities law and potential pathways for decarbonizing natural gas end-uses, with an emphasis on equitable impacts.
Assist staff attorneys with administrative law cases before the Utah Public Service Commission, including legal research, discovery drafting, hearing preparation, or other projects dependent on WRA’s workload.
Develop concept legislation or regulatory policies under supervision of WRA staff attorney.
Research and summarize existing or proposed laws and rules that impact WRA’s mission.
Accompany staff (likely virtually) on advocacy meetings, stakeholder engagement activities, and other related activities.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Current enrollment in law school and demonstrated academic achievement.
Excellent communicator, written and verbal.
Legal research, analytic ability, and project management skills.
Use of legal research tools (Lexis Nexis and/or Westlaw) as well as file and document management software.
Motivated to take ownership of projects and demonstrate follow-through to complete tasks requested by supervising attorney.
Sound judgment, attention to detail, and integrity in preparing assigned project work.
Ability to maintain confidentiality.
Desire to learn technical, sometimes “wonky” areas of the law, with confidence to ask questions!
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
COMPENSATION
Interns are paid at $15.00 per hour. This is a part-time internship with an expectation to work an average of 20 hours a week. WRA regularly works with students to help them obtain school credit for their internships.
TIMELINE
The internship will take place during the Winter and Spring of 2022. While the specific dates of this internship are flexible, the start date will be around early January and will go through April.
DEADLINE TO APPLY: MONDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2021.
https://westernresourceadvocates.org/careers/clean-energy-legal-internship-2/
Diversity and inclusion are a critical component of our business strategy, mission and vision. We welcome candidates from an array of backgrounds and experiences to join our team. Learn more about our commitment here: https://westernresourceadvocates.org/#commitment-to-diversity.
Western Resource Advocates is an equal opportunity employer (EOE) and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, marital status, amnesty, or veteran status.
Deadline: 11/8/2021
Eligibility: 1L, 2L, 3L
Location: