Regulatory Counsel

Reporting to: Vice President of Policy and Regulatory Affairs 
Supporting: ELM and the ELM Action Fund 
Salary Range: $110,000-$130,000 

The Environmental League of Massachusetts (ELM) and the ELM Action Fund (ELM AF) are seeking an experienced regulatory attorney to drive our work at the Department of Public Utilities and our related advocacy. Regulatory Counsel is a newly created position within the collegial and effective Policy & Regulatory Affairs team and 24-person ELM staff. ELM and the ELM AF are committed to advocating for policy and building political power in Massachusetts to meet the scale and urgency of our environmental challenges. Read our purpose, mission, vision, and values for ELM and the ELM Action Fund. 

ELM seeks a driven and effective regulatory attorney to lead and advocate on these complex intersecting issues at the Department of Public Utilities and other key agencies, to secure victories for the environment and consumers, and to communicate to key stakeholders why what they’re doing matters. This professional will apply their skills as a lawyer to drive ELM’s work on long-term integrated system planning for energy affordability in a decarbonized future, and their skills as an advocate, communicator, and coalition builder to advance the policies needed to support such reforms.  

Responsibilities: 
Regulatory Processes 

• Represent ELM in proceedings at the Department of Public Utilities, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, and other regulatory agencies
• Review and conduct discovery, work with expert witnesses to craft testimony, prepare for and conduct cross-examination, conduct research to support arguments, draft briefs and motions, and other aspects of adjudication
• Build and execute strategies for achieving ELM’s goals in relevant administrative processes at the Department of Environmental Protection, the Department of Energy Resources, and other agencies

Policy & Advocacy 

• Identify regulatory and systemic barriers to reducing the cost of electricity in Massachusetts. Research and implement policy solutions to address them
• Along with ELM’s Advocacy Team, create legislative campaigns around utility business model reform, virtual power plants, rate design, finance mechanisms, and integrated energy planning
• Build ELM’s reputation as a thought leader through appearances in media, press, and events

Partnerships & Outreach 

• Build alliances and coalitions among parties to regulatory processes and enrich network of partnerships impacting decarbonization and affordability
• Write advocacy and educational materials, articles, opinion pieces, and communicate about expertise, supported by ELM’s communications team
• Facilitate discussions among diverse stakeholders and drive support for policies that reduce energy burdens and accelerate the pace of transformation
• Represent ELM in meetings with donors to discuss our regulatory efforts, supported by ELM’s Development team.

Qualifications: 
Required 

• Infectious enthusiasm for ELM’s mission
• JD or LLM and at least 5 years of litigation or administrative law practice
• Active bar membership in good standing (MA preferred)
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and decision-making capabilities. Must be a strategic thinker who is also detail and process-oriented.
• Organized self-starter with an ability to manage multiple tasks, priorities, and deliverables simultaneously
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including ability to distill complex ideas into clear, easy to understand messages
• Collaborative, “all hands on deck” orientation around getting work done
• Commitment to centering racial justice and equity and ensuring an inclusive organizational culture

Preferred 

• Subject matter expertise in utility regulation and rate design
• Experience intervening at the Massachusetts DPU
• Familiarity with Massachusetts’s legislature and political landscape

Compensation & Benefits: 

$100,000-130,000 depending on experience and qualifications. ELM provides generous paid time off, health and dental insurance, Health Savings Account, and a 403(b) retirement plan with organizational match. 

This full-time role is based in our Boston office and requires occasional morning and evening commitments outside of the standard 9-5 office hours. ELM supports a hybrid work environment.