Energy Transactions, Regulatory & Data Centers Associate

Direct Counsel is seeking a Senior Energy Associate to join a Chambers-ranked Energy Regulatory practice in Washington, D.C. This is an exceptional opportunity for an attorney with energy regulatory and transactional experience to work at the forefront of one of the fastest-growing sectors in the industry: data center power and infrastructure development.

The ideal candidate will have experience advising clients on energy regulatory matters, transactional projects, and proceedings before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and/or state utility commissions. This role offers the opportunity to work on market-leading matters involving data centers, renewable energy, power generation, transmission infrastructure, LNG facilities, and other critical energy assets.

Responsibilities

• Advise clients on a broad range of energy regulatory, transactional, and project development matters
• Represent clients in proceedings before:
  • Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)
  • State utility commissions
  • Regional Transmission Organizations (RTOs)
• Negotiate and structure:
  • Data center power supply agreements
  • Energy infrastructure transactions
  • Project development agreements
  • Energy-related commercial contracts
• Draft pleadings, briefs, regulatory filings, and legal memoranda
• Conduct administrative litigation and regulatory advocacy
• Work with expert witnesses and consultants in preparing testimony and regulatory submissions
• Support mergers and acquisitions, private equity investments, and project finance transactions involving energy assets
• Advise clients on compliance, regulatory strategy, and evolving market developments
• Participate in settlement negotiations, contract negotiations, and policy advocacy initiatives
• Work directly with clients on strategic business and regulatory matters

Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited law school
• 6–8 years of relevant experience
• Experience in energy regulatory and/or energy transactional matters
• Experience with:
  • FERC proceedings
  • State utility commission matters
  • Energy infrastructure projects
  • Energy regulatory counseling
• Strong legal research, writing, and analytical skills
• Ability to manage sophisticated matters with increasing independence
• Excellent communication and client relationship skills
• Interest in working at the intersection of regulatory, transactional, and infrastructure development matters
• Strong academic credentials

Preferred Experience

• Data center energy transactions
• Power supply negotiations
• Administrative litigation
• Energy project development
• Renewable energy projects
• Power generation and transmission matters
• LNG infrastructure
• Project finance transactions
• M&A involving energy assets
• RTO-related matters

Representative Client Base

• Data center developers
• Public utilities
• Independent power producers
• Independent transmission companies
• Private equity investors
• Tax equity investors
• Activist investors
• Oil and gas companies

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary range: $390,000 – $435,000
• Compensation based on experience, qualifications, and other operational considerations
• Discretionary performance-based bonus opportunities
• Comprehensive healthcare benefits
• Retirement benefits
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Paid vacation and sick time
• Parental leave
• Basic life insurance

Why This Opportunity

• Join a Chambers-ranked energy regulatory practice
• Work on cutting-edge data center and energy infrastructure projects
• Advise leading market participants in one of the fastest-growing sectors of the economy
• Blend regulatory, transactional, litigation, and project development work
• Significant client interaction and responsibility
• Strong mentorship, professional development, and long-term career growth opportunities

Direct Counsel is committed to connecting exceptional legal talent with premier law firms and fostering inclusive hiring practices.