Public Interest Clean Energy & Water Attorney-Michigan

Ann Arbor, Grand Rapids, Lansing, MI
Full Time
Mid Level
Are you passionate about protecting access to clean water in the Midwest? Do you care about accelerating the transition to clean energy? How about the legacy we will leave for our children and grandchildren?
If you are an attorney with 8 or more years of strong litigation experience, we want to talk with you!  Come join our winning team of talented, mission-driven professionals, who passionately work together to protect the environment and natural resources in the Midwest.

This new public interest litigation attorney position, based in Michigan, will focus on litigation before the Public Service Commission to accelerate clean, renewable energy and stop fossil fuel plant expansions and on federal and state court litigation to protect safe, clean water.

About ELPC:

The Environmental Law & Policy Center is the Midwest’s leading environmental legal advocacy organization. We drive transformational policy changes with national impacts.

We show that environmental progress and economic development can be achieved together by putting sustainability principles into practice. We advance climate solutions by accelerating clean renewable energy alternatives to conventional power plants and promoting clean transportation solutions. We protect the Great Lakes and defend the Midwest’s wild and natural places, and we fight for safe, clean water and healthy clean air for all. We combine effective public interest litigation with strategic policy advocacy, sound science, and economic analysis. ELPC produces strong results for the environment in the courtrooms, boardrooms, and legislative hearing rooms across the Midwest states and in Washington D.C.


TITLE:  STAFF ATTORNEY - MICHIGAN 
REPORTS TO: MANAGING ATTORNEY

LOCATION: Anywhere in the Lower Peninsula of Michigan. (Lansing, Grand Rapids, or Ann Arbor preferred.)

STATUS: Full time, Exempt (per Fair Labor Standards Act)

POSITION SUMMARY
The Michigan Staff Attorney position combines litigation with legal and policy advocacy to promote clean energy and clean water in Michigan. They will litigate cases in the Michigan Public Service Commission and state and federal courts, and advocate before Michigan and federal agencies to advance program goals. The position will work closely with ELPC attorneys, as well as with our partners and clients at other environmental, public health, and community organizations.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
  • Litigate cases on clean energy issues before the Michigan Public Service Commission
  • File comments with and otherwise advocate before state and federal agencies on clean water issues, especially related to agricultural water pollution. Litigate cases before Michigan Office of Administrative Hearings and Rules, as well as in state and federal courts, to promote safe, clean water, including cases to strengthen permitting and enforcement against violations.
  •  Play leadership role in clean energy community and Michigan Public Service Commission bar, as well as among Michigan’s clean water advocates.
  • Work as an integral part of ELPC’s public interest, entrepreneurial and multidisciplinary team across the Midwest.

QUALIFICATION & EXPERIENCE
Juris Doctor degree
  • 8 or more years of relevant environmental and/or clean energy litigation experience. Prior experience litigating electric and/or natural gas utility cases before the Michigan Public Service Commission or similar state utility commission strongly preferred. 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES
  • Environmental and/or clean energy litigation experience with a track record of success, and a desire to continuously learn and improve.
  • An inspired and demonstrated commitment to public interest advocacy.
  • Sound understanding of and interest in strategic, multifaceted public interest advocacy that coordinates litigation with media, legislative work, rigorous policy and economic analysis, and public education and organizing.
  • Team player who works effectively with ELPC’s multidisciplinary project teams including attorneys, policy advocates, scientists, communications specialists, and organizers.
  • Ability to work on varying assignments as needed and manage multiple priorities with defined deadlines.

ESTIMATED TRAVEL: 10-20% domestic travel, mostly within Michigan.  

SALARY: $107,000 - $125,000, commensurate with experience and location.
ELPC also offers an attractive and competitive benefits package, including vacation and sick days, 403b safe harbor and matching contributions and a unique wellness benefit.

APPLICATION PROCESS:  Apply via our Careers site.

If we find a match between your experience and our needs, we will reach out for an interview.

ELPC’s EEO Statement:
Environmental Law & Policy Center provides consideration for an employment relationship without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, genetic predisposition, national origin, ethnicity, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.
If you are interested in any of our open positions but are unable to apply via email due to a disability, please email us as [email protected] with a reference to the specific job(s) you are interested in, and we will be happy to assist you.
  
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