Application Guide
How to Apply for Staff Attorney, Telecom Practice
at TURN (The Utility Reform Network), California
🏢 About TURN (The Utility Reform Network), California
TURN is a California-based consumer advocacy powerhouse dedicated to ensuring affordable, reliable, and clean utility services for all residents, with a strong focus on equity and justice. Working here means joining a team that has a proven track record of holding utilities accountable and shaping policy to benefit marginalized communities. If you're passionate about using the law to fight for systemic change, TURN offers a unique platform to make a tangible difference.
About This Role
As a Staff Attorney on the Telecom Practice, you'll be at the forefront of advocating for affordable and equitable broadband and telecommunications services for California's most vulnerable populations. Your work will involve representing residential consumers in CPUC proceedings, conducting legal research, and shaping regulatory policy that directly impacts low-income, rural, and immigrant communities. This role is impactful because you'll be translating complex legal arguments into concrete policy wins that bridge the digital divide and promote racial and economic justice.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might involve reviewing the latest filings in an active CPUC proceeding, drafting legal arguments or discovery requests, and meeting with the telecom team to strategize on an upcoming hearing. You might also spend time coordinating with expert witnesses, preparing for cross-examination, or writing a summary for TURN's website. Remote work means virtual meetings with colleagues and community partners, but the core of your day is dedicated to advancing TURN's mission through legal advocacy.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who TURN (The Utility Reform Network), California Is Looking For
- -
- A
- l
- i
- c
- e
- n
- s
- e
- d
- a
- t
- t
- o
- r
- n
- e
- y
- w
- i
- t
- h
- 2
- -
- 1
- 0
- y
- e
- a
- r
- s
- o
- f
- e
- x
- p
- e
- r
- i
- e
- n
- c
- e
- p
- r
- a
- c
- t
- i
- c
- i
- n
- g
- b
- e
- f
- o
- r
- e
- t
- h
- e
- C
- P
- U
- C
- o
- r
- a
- s
- i
- m
- i
- l
- a
- r
- r
- e
- g
- u
- l
- a
- t
- o
- r
- y
- a
- g
- e
- n
- c
- y
- ,
- i
- d
- e
- a
- l
- l
- y
- w
- i
- t
- h
- a
- f
- o
- c
- u
- s
- o
- n
- t
- e
- l
- e
- c
- o
- m
- m
- u
- n
- i
- c
- a
- t
- i
- o
- n
- s
- o
- r
- b
- r
- o
- a
- d
- b
- a
- n
- d
- i
- s
- s
- u
- e
- s
- .
- -
- D
- e
- e
- p
- l
- y
- c
- o
- m
- m
- i
- t
- t
- e
- d
- t
- o
- e
- c
- o
- n
- o
- m
- i
- c
- a
- n
- d
- r
- a
- c
- i
- a
- l
- j
- u
- s
- t
- i
- c
- e
- ,
- w
- i
- t
- h
- a
- d
- e
- m
- o
- n
- s
- t
- r
- a
- t
- e
- d
- a
- b
- i
- l
- i
- t
- y
- t
- o
- a
- p
- p
- l
- y
- t
- h
- a
- t
- l
- e
- n
- s
- t
- o
- l
- e
- g
- a
- l
- a
- d
- v
- o
- c
- a
- c
- y
- .
- -
- E
- x
- c
- e
- l
- l
- e
- n
- t
- w
- r
- i
- t
- t
- e
- n
- a
- n
- d
- o
- r
- a
- l
- c
- o
- m
- m
- u
- n
- i
- c
- a
- t
- i
- o
- n
- s
- k
- i
- l
- l
- s
- ,
- a
- b
- l
- e
- t
- o
- c
- r
- a
- f
- t
- p
- e
- r
- s
- u
- a
- s
- i
- v
- e
- l
- e
- g
- a
- l
- a
- r
- g
- u
- m
- e
- n
- t
- s
- a
- n
- d
- e
- x
- p
- l
- a
- i
- n
- c
- o
- m
- p
- l
- e
- x
- i
- s
- s
- u
- e
- s
- t
- o
- d
- i
- v
- e
- r
- s
- e
- a
- u
- d
- i
- e
- n
- c
- e
- s
- .
- -
- P
- r
- o
- f
- i
- c
- i
- e
- n
- t
- i
- n
- u
- s
- i
- n
- g
- l
- e
- g
- a
- l
- r
- e
- s
- e
- a
- r
- c
- h
- t
- o
- o
- l
- s
- a
- n
- d
- c
- o
- m
- f
- o
- r
- t
- a
- b
- l
- e
- w
- i
- t
- h
- t
- e
- c
- h
- n
- o
- l
- o
- g
- y
- ,
- i
- n
- c
- l
- u
- d
- i
- n
- g
- M
- i
- c
- r
- o
- s
- o
- f
- t
- O
- f
- f
- i
- c
- e
- a
- n
- d
- Z
- o
- o
- m
- ,
- f
- o
- r
- r
- e
- m
- o
- t
- e
- c
- o
- l
- l
- a
- b
- o
- r
- a
- t
- i
- o
- n
- .
📝 Tips for Applying to TURN (The Utility Reform Network), California
Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight any specific experience with CPUC proceedings, telecommunications policy, or consumer advocacy, even if it's not the primary focus of your current role.
Familiarize yourself with TURN's recent telecom cases and positions by visiting their website and reviewing their latest filings or press releases. Mention a specific case in your cover letter to show genuine interest.
Since the role emphasizes equity and justice, provide concrete examples of how you've worked on behalf of underserved communities or on issues related to the digital divide.
Be prepared to discuss your familiarity with California's regulatory landscape and the key players at the CPUC, FCC, and state legislature.
Demonstrate your ability to work collaboratively by highlighting any experience working with community groups, coalitions, or interdisciplinary teams.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
- Emphasize your passion for consumer advocacy and how your legal skills can advance TURN's mission of ensuring equitable access to essential communications services. - Highlight your specific experience with regulatory proceedings, administrative law, and any work before the CPUC or similar bodies. - Show that you understand the unique challenges faced by low-income, immigrant, and rural communities in accessing broadband, and how your work can address these disparities. - Mention your ability to translate complex legal and policy issues into clear, compelling arguments for both decision-makers and the public.
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Review TURN's website to understand their current telecom campaigns, such as those related to broadband affordability, digital equity, or net neutrality.
- → Look up recent TURN filings or comments in CPUC proceedings (e.g., on the CPUC's website) to see the types of arguments they make.
- → Familiarize yourself with key California broadband policies, such as the California Broadband for All initiative or the Digital Equity Bill of Rights.
- → Learn about the backgrounds of TURN's leadership and the telecom team to understand their priorities and working style.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Avoid submitting a generic cover letter that doesn't specifically address TURN's mission or the telecom focus of the role.
- Don't overlook the requirement to be licensed in California or another US jurisdiction; make sure to clarify your bar status in your application.
- Don't underestimate the importance of equity and justice in your application; failing to demonstrate a genuine commitment to these values could be a major red flag.
📅 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 TURN (The Utility Reform Network), California!