The Chief Counsel's Office is the California Energy Commission's (CEC’s) full-service legal office. Its attorneys advise the CEC in a myriad of programs under the CEC’s jurisdiction, from power-plant licensing and energy forecasting, to developing building and appliance energy efficiency standards, and administrating grants for energy research and development, clean transportation, and renewable energy programs. In addition, Chief Counsel's Office attorneys represent the CEC in administrative proceedings before other state agencies and federal agencies, and in judicial proceedings in state and federal court.

The Chief Counsel's Office is organized into four units: (1) Advocacy and Compliance, (2) Hearing and Advisory, (3) Regulatory and Advisory, and (4) Transactions. To view descriptions of these units, please visit the Chief Counsel's Office webpage.

The application period for Summer 2023 is currently closed.  Please check back for details on applying for Summer 2024 clerkships.

  1. a cover letter explaining the student's interest in a law clerk position with the CEC,
  2. a résumé,
  3. two references, at least one of them from the student's work experience, and
  4. one writing sample of no more than 10 pages in length, consisting of an objective memo or an advocacy piece.

To Chester Hong or mail to:

California Energy Commission
Attn:  Chester Hong
715 P Street – MS 14
Sacramento, CA 95814

This will be a hybrid position, with law clerks expected to work in the office a portion of each week. The CEC is located in Sacramento, California.

While the CEC does not guarantee permanent employment, the Chief Counsel's Office appreciates the service of law clerks and in recent history, has hired former law clerks for full-time employment.

We invite law students to consider a law clerk position with the Chief Counsel's Office of the CEC. The CEC is an equal opportunity employer and the Chief Counsel's Office strongly supports diversity in our workforce and law clerks.