Staff or Senior Attorney

The Southern Environmental Law Center is seeking a Staff or Senior Attorney in our Charleston, South Carolina office. This individual will join our Energy team. Practicing attorneys with six or more years of experience will be considered at the Staff Attorney level, and those with eight or more years will be considered at the Senior Attorney level.

This is an excellent opportunity to join a highly successful, nationally recognized organization that is effectively addressing some of the most pressing and challenging environmental issues throughout the South and the nation.

SELC has a hybrid work model that offers employees the flexibility to work remotely up to two days per week. This is a full-time, exempt position and employees must reside in our region. The start date is flexible.

About the Position

The primary goal of SELC’s Energy program is to fight climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the South’s electric power sector while promoting energy equity and environmental justice. SELC works across a range of venues, including state and federal courts, state utilities commissions, environmental regulatory agencies, and legislative bodies. SELC also collaborates with allied groups in pursuit of shared policy goals and speaks in public settings.

The Staff or Senior Attorney will join SELC’s Energy Program, focusing on energy policy advocacy and litigation throughout South Carolina, including regulatory proceedings before the Public Service Commission. Due to the cross-border nature of the Carolinas energy sector, this position will involve collaboration with SELC’s North Carolina-based team.

This attorney will have the opportunity to work on a variety of complementary matters supporting the transition away from fossil fuels, including: (1) advocating in state and federal administrative and judicial proceedings, including matters before the commission that oversees South Carolina utilities; (2) engaging in policy development and analysis at the state and federal level, including regulatory and legislative matters; and (3) collaborating with renewable energy advocates, business leaders, environmental groups, public interest organizations, policymakers, legislators, and regulators to overcome barriers to the clean energy transition and ensure that it is just, equitable, and benefits the health and economy of all communities.

Primary Responsibilities

• Represent clients and partners in regulatory proceedings, including before the Public Service Commission of South Carolina and potentially other states, to reduce electric utilities’ reliance on fossil fuels and accelerate the transition to greater use of renewables, efficiency, and battery storage.
• Engage in legislative efforts and initiatives that impact the utility regulation and energy policy in South Carolina.
• Coordinate with partners and clients to identify litigation and other opportunities to leverage regulatory work to promote clean energy and energy efficiency in the Carolinas.
• Collaborate with and cultivate strong relationships with clients, partners, and other stakeholders.
• Provide diligent and professional support on assigned matters, producing high quality work product and working independently to implement program and office work plans.
• Communicate regularly with supervisors and colleagues about the status of projects, while demonstrating excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational abilities.

Required Qualifications

• Staff Attorney: Minimum of six years of relevant legal practice experience.
• Senior Attorney: Minimum of eight years of relevant legal practice experience.
• Experience practicing before or advising regulatory bodies, or litigating before state or federal courts.
• Active license to practice law in South Carolina or willingness to seek admission to practice in South Carolina.
• Proven ability to handle complex litigation with a high degree of competence, independence, effectiveness, integrity, professionalism, and sound strategic judgment.
• Experience managing and conducting discovery or developing complex administrative records.
• Excellent advocacy skills, including superior written work product and oral presentation abilities. Ability to translate technical and legal issues into plain English.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with an ability to build and maintain effective, collaborative relationships with clients, stakeholders, and partners to advance organizational goals.
• Strong independent initiative and the ability to lead cases or matters in collaboration with a team and meet internal and external deadlines.

Preferred Qualifications

• A background in environmental or energy law, or in litigation, is strongly preferred but not required.
• Experience practicing before or advising the Public Service Commission of South Carolina or other state or federal utility regulatory commissions.
• Experience preparing for and participating in regulatory proceedings, including strategy development, working with subject matter experts to prepare filings and/or to deliver live testimony, and engaging in settlement negotiations.
• Legislative experience, including drafting legislation, developing messaging, and opposing harmful bills.
• A genuine interest in and commitment to helping SELC create and foster an equitable and inclusive workplace that welcomes people from across the rich racial and cultural diversity of our region.

About SELC

The Southern Environmental Law Center is one of the nation’s most powerful defenders of the environment, rooted in the South. With a long track record, SELC takes on the toughest environmental challenges in court, in government, and in our communities to protect our region’s air, water, climate, wildlife, lands, and people. Nonprofit and nonpartisan, the organization has a staff of 250, including more than 160 legal and policy experts and advocates. Headquartered in Charlottesville, VA, SELC has offices in Asheville, Atlanta, Birmingham, Chapel Hill, Charleston, Nashville, Richmond, and Washington, DC.

At our core, we are place-based, rooted in our region, and connected with the communities and clients we serve. We believe in an equitable and inclusive workplace that welcomes people from across the rich racial and cultural diversity of our region and values diverse perspectives. We approach our work with the highest level of integrity, holding ourselves to high standards with an emphasis on honesty, accountability, and thoughtfulness. We value collaboration and camaraderie, realizing we are strongest when we work together and knowing that everyone has a critical role to play. We strive for impact through a strategic, bold, pragmatic, and ambitious outlook that is dedicated to achieving powerful results. We believe in these values and in the power of SELC. We hope you consider joining us. Learn more at https://www.southernenvironment.org/.

Compensation & Benefits

SELC offers salaries competitive with other leading environmental nonprofits nationally and provides an excellent benefits package. The starting salary for a Staff Attorney in this position is $142,100, commensurate with experience. The starting salary for a Senior Attorney in this position is $159,800, also commensurate with experience. For more details about our benefits package, please visit our Careers page.

SELC is a PSLF (Public Service Loan Forgiveness) eligible employer.

SELC will also provide relocation reimbursement for those relocating for a SELC position, up to a specific dollar amount and contingent on the move being at least 50 miles from the current primary address.

To Apply

To apply, click on the ‘Apply Now’ button below to be directed to an online application where you may upload your application materials. Applicants must submit a cover letter, resume, and writing sample. The initial deadline for receipt of complete applications is May 26, 2026. However, applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

APPLY NOW

SELC is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to fostering an inclusive workplace environment. We are eager to welcome new team members who share this commitment. Qualified individuals of all backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply.

SELC offers salaries competitive with other leading environmental nonprofits nationally and provides an excellent benefits package. For details about our benefits package, please visit our Careers page.