What are the responsibilities and job description for the NARUC-Sponsored Legal Summer Internship position at New Mexico Public Regulation Commission?
NARUC-Sponsored Legal Internship at the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission
Nature of Work
As part of the 2026 Energy Summer Intern Program sponsored by the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissions (NARUC), the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission (PRC) is seeking a law student interested in the energy sector for a 10-week internship. The selected Summer Intern will work at the PRC. With physical locations in Santa Fe and Albuquerque, New Mexico, the PRC offers a hybrid work environment and a newly launched case management system.
While working for the PRC in various areas of energy regulation, NARUC will provide a stipend of $5,000 payable directly to the Summer Intern in two installments for a 10-week internship. NARUC requires that the intern prepare a short report at the end of the internship, detailing work activities and accomplishments.
The New Mexico Public Regulation Commission (PRC) has multiple legal divisions consisting of attorneys, including our the Office of General Counsel who act as advisory attorneys to the Commission itself, the Legal Division, who act as litigation attorneys and represent Commission staff expert witnesses, and the Office of Hearing Examiners, who preside over cases on behalf of the Commissioners and issue recommended decisions in complex matters before the Commission. The advisory side of the PRC also employs technical advisors to the Commissioners themselves, who are experts in policy and current issues requiring the Commissioners’ understanding and deliberation.
Work Arrangements
Under the direction of the Office of General Counsel, the Summer Intern would work alongside attorneys in the Office of General Counsel and Hearing Examiners to provide research and recommendations on various matters, assist in drafting orders or other legal documents, and brief Commissioners on issues in various cases.
The intern supervisor will meet (in person or via Teams) with the Summer Intern for detailed weekly check-ins to review progress and workload, counsel on appropriate steps to take, suggest strategies, etc.
All assignments will be delivered through the intern supervisor, who will determine if each assignment is appropriate.
The Summer Intern’s work is reviewed by the supervisor before submitting to the requesting attorney or hearing examiner.
Nature and Scope of Expected Work:
- Assisting the Office of General Counsel and the Hearing Examiners in a merger and acquisition case for an investor-owned utility
- Assisting the hearing examiners with 2 rate cases for investor-owned utilities
- Researching pressing issues and writing memos for the Hearing Examiners, Office of General Counsel, or the Commissioners
- Assisting the hearing examiners with any research, organizing evidence that is received and entered into the record, assisting hearing examiners in drafting orders and recommended decisions
- Assisting the Office of General Counsel with drafting the final orders alongside the Recommended Decision
- Intern will gain experience communicating with the Commissioners as their clients and advising Commissioners with appropriate legal steps to take in their final orders
- The PRC has a direct appeal to the New Mexico Supreme Court; should any cases go before our State Supreme Court, the intern may have the opportunity to assist in the drafting of an appellate brief
Salary:
$5,000, paid directly by NARUC in two installments
Duration:
10-week internship
Salary : $5,000