Application Guide
How to Apply for Legal Fellow, U.S. Clean Energy
at The Environmental Defense Fund
🏢 About The Environmental Defense Fund
The Environmental Defense Fund stands out for its unique blend of science-driven advocacy and market-based solutions to environmental challenges. Unlike purely activist organizations, EDF partners with businesses, governments, and communities globally to create practical, scalable environmental solutions, making it an ideal place for those who want to drive change through both legal expertise and collaborative innovation.
About This Role
As a Legal Fellow in U.S. Clean Energy, you'll dive deep into federal energy regulation, focusing on FERC authority, DOE programs, and siting/permitting laws. This role is impactful because you'll directly shape clean energy policy by drafting legal filings, engaging with stakeholders on transmission development, and contributing to publications that advance critical energy infrastructure discussions.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might start with reviewing recent FERC dockets or DOE announcements, followed by drafting sections of a regulatory comment for an upcoming submission. You could then join a virtual meeting with internal policy experts and external stakeholders to discuss transmission barriers, before spending the afternoon researching siting laws for a whitepaper on clean energy infrastructure.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who The Environmental Defense Fund Is Looking For
- A recent J.D. graduate with coursework or experience in administrative law, energy regulation, or environmental law, ideally with exposure to FERC proceedings or state utility commissions.
- Someone who can demonstrate interest in clean energy through prior internships, clinics, or research projects focused on electric grid modernization, renewable energy siting, or federal regulatory processes.
- A strong writer and researcher who can translate complex legal concepts into clear filings and public-facing materials, with examples of prior legal drafting or policy analysis.
- A collaborative self-starter comfortable in fast-paced settings, able to balance independent research with team-based advocacy and stakeholder engagement.
📝 Tips for Applying to The Environmental Defense Fund
Highlight any experience with FERC, DOE, or state utility commission filings—even from law school clinics or internships—as this directly aligns with the role's core responsibilities.
Tailor your resume to include keywords like 'administrative law,' 'regulatory advocacy,' 'transmission development,' or 'interconnection' to pass initial screenings by EDF's legal team.
If you've written legal memos, comments, or affidavits, include a writing sample that demonstrates your ability to analyze energy regulations or policy issues.
Mention any involvement with environmental or energy law journals, moot court competitions on regulatory topics, or relevant bar association sections to show specialized interest.
Research EDF's recent clean energy campaigns (e.g., transmission reform, grid modernization) and reference how your skills could contribute to those specific initiatives in your application materials.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
["Explain why EDF's market-based, science-driven approach to environmental solutions resonates with you, and how it aligns with your legal philosophy or career goals.", 'Detail specific experiences—such as a law school clinic, internship, or research paper—where you engaged with federal energy regulations, administrative law, or stakeholder collaboration.', "Connect your skills to the role's outputs: for example, describe your ability to draft precise legal documents or translate complex regulations into actionable advocacy.", 'Express enthusiasm for the interdisciplinary nature of the work, highlighting how you thrive in settings that combine law, policy, and community partnership.']
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Review EDF's recent clean energy reports or blogs, such as those on transmission planning or grid interconnection, to understand their current priorities and advocacy angles.
- → Study EDF's partnerships with businesses and government agencies in the energy sector, noting how they leverage market-based approaches—this is core to their strategy.
- → Familiarize yourself with key federal energy regulations mentioned in the job description, like FERC's authority under the Federal Power Act or DOE's Section 1703 loan program.
- → Explore EDF's organizational structure and team dynamics, as the role involves working across legal, policy, and community partnership divisions.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Submitting a generic cover letter that doesn't mention EDF's specific clean energy work or the legal/regulatory focus of the role—this shows lack of tailored interest.
- Overemphasizing litigation experience without highlighting administrative law, regulatory processes, or energy-specific knowledge, which are central to the fellowship.
- Failing to provide concrete examples of legal research, writing, or advocacy in your application, as the role requires demonstrated skills in these areas from day one.
📅 Application Timeline
This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!
Ready to Apply?
Good luck with your application to The Environmental Defense Fund!