California Projects, Energy, Environment & Resources Associate Attorney - Midlevel to Senior

Following our landmark merger combining a top-tier U.S. tech and environmental platform with unmatched global energy and infrastructure capabilities, Ashurst Perkins Coie is seeking an exceptional 4th to 7th-year associate to join our elite California Projects, Energy, Environment and Resources team. 

Our California team sits at the fulcrum of the nation’s energy transition, infrastructure development, and policy advocacy. You will assist sponsors of significant multijurisdictional energy and infrastructure projects—including major electric transmission lines, renewable and conventional energy generation, legacy infrastructure decommissioning and repurposing, complex conventional utility systems, and data center infrastructure. You will also have opportunities to represent these clients in bet-the-project litigation in federal and state courts.  

Key Responsibilities 

• Project Development & Permitting: Advise utilities, energy companies, and infrastructure project developers on federal, state, and local regulatory approvals, with a heavy focus on the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLMPA), the National Forest Management Act (NFMA), and the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA). 

• Energy and Infrastructure Administrative Proceedings: Represent clients in complex proceedings before key regulatory bodies, including the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), California Energy Commission (CEC), Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), California Coastal Commission (CCC), California State Lands Commission (CLSC) and State/Regional Water Boards, as well as local cities and counties. 

• Environmental Litigation & Enforcement: Defend project approvals against collateral attacks and handle complex environmental defense and administrative claims in federal and state courts. 

• Natural Resources & Land Use