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Deadline: Open Until Filled
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Duties & Responsibilities:

The Harvard Environmental and Energy Law Program (EELP) engages the environmental and energy policy community on a wide range of environmental, energy, and climate issues, by offering robust legal analysis and practical governance solutions that will move the understanding and resolution of these issues forward. EELP works closely with the environmental law faculty and, on occasion, with the Emmett Environmental Law & Policy Clinic, and develops strategic partnerships with other experts to design and distribute our work. 

The Staff Attorney in Climate, Clean Air, and Energy will work closely with the Executive Director and collaborate with the Director of the Electricity Law Initiative and the Communications and Outreach Manager, and can expect occasional interactions with, and assignments from, the program’s faculty directors.

The Staff Attorney will be called upon to perform diverse research and stakeholder engagement activities associated with EELP projects. S/he will work in close collaboration with the Executive Director, Fellows, and student Research Assistants to advance rigorous legal analyses and innovative policy proposals on cutting-edge energy and environmental issues.

Reporting to the Executive Director of the Environmental and Energy Law Program, the Staff Attorney will be responsible for leading one or two major new initiatives the program is undertaking. In addition to the subject matter areas and areas of responsibility described below, the Staff Attorney will enjoy the prerogative of working with the Executive Director to design additional or alternative portfolios of work in the area of environmental law. Subject to the Staff Attorney’s exercising that prerogative and the agreement and support of the Executive Director, primary responsibilities are expected to include:

  • In conjunction with the Executive Director, building and managing an ongoing working partnership with Harvard Business School (HBS) and participating HBS faculty in conducting the work of a new program, which will include research and writing, as well as a series of events with outside participants from the corporate and investment sectors.

  • In conjunction with the Executive Director, building and managing ongoing working partnerships directly with outside stakeholders in the corporate and investment communities in carrying out research and writing, and in conducting various public events and meetings.

  • In conjunction with the Communications and Outreach Manager, supervising ongoing work by a team of research assistants to track and explain to the public the progress and legal implications of current executive agency deregulatory efforts.

 The Staff Attorney will also have the following general responsibilities:

  • Generating and sustaining a portfolio of ongoing research, writing and public engagement activities to develop and disseminate analysis of legal issues at the intersection of corporate and environmental law and/or other areas of environmental law.

  • Designing programs, developing program content and determining timelines.

  • Advising and coordinating research activities with Fellows, student Research Assistants and outside partners; and developing and managing EELP events.

  • Delivering presentations and attending events on behalf of the EELP.

 Based on the fast-paced and changing needs of the EELP, the Staff Attorney may be called upon to take on Special Projects and for other tasks at short notice. Occasional evening and weekend work will be required. Travel opportunities may arise. 


 Basic Qualifications

JD degree and admission to state bar. Minimum of 5 years of relevant post-graduate professional experience.

Additional Qualifications

Superior research, writing, editing and proofreading skills required, as are excellent interpersonal skills and a proven ability to exercise judgment and discretion. Extensive familiarity with a wide range of environmental statutes and case law. Candidate would thrive in dynamic, entrepreneurial, self-motivated environment.

The right candidate can operate independently in a work environment of multiple priorities, but also must work well as the member of a team. S/he anticipates and resolves problems and meets tight deadlines. A sense of humor is a plus.

Read the full call here!