RIPPAC Internship Guide - Summer 2021

Name of Company / Association / Organization NJ Board of Public Utilities Virtual Law Clerk

Internship Coordinator Office of the General Counsel

Coordinator’s Phone / Email  

Location of Main Office Trenton

# of Summer 2020 Interns Accepted 2

Where will the internship be done?

In the main office
Remotely (student works from home) 
Combination of Remote & In-Office

Dates / Length of Summer Internship 

June 7, 2021 through August 20, 2021. An extension through the end of August and/or into the Fall 2021 semester will be taken into consideration.

Required Hours/Week  28 hours per week

Is there some type of salary or stipend?  Yes
If so, how much? $15/hour

What is the application process? (please include deadlines and other requirements. Attach additional pages if needed)

Please submit the following to humanresources@bpu.nj.gov by May 12, 2021: resume; brief writing sample; most recent transcript (unofficial copy acceptable); Personal Relationships Disclosure Form and three references (name and phone number for either professional or educational contacts). Please make sure to include the posting number in the subject line.

Intern work areas:         Clerical         Research            Errands        Organizing

Please explain the work that will be required of the intern:

The appropriate candidate will work as part of cross-disciplinary teams to solve some of the most complex and impactful legal issues in New Jersey government, while ensuring that electricity, gas and water rates remain fair to consumers and equitable to all New Jersey citizens. Law clerks must be excellent writers, work well as part of an integrated team, make recommendations on the impact of proposed or existing legislation, and complete other tasks as assigned. Legal Department Law Clerk:

What you will do:

• Reports to the General Counsel and Deputy General Counsel at the NJBPU and will work day to day with the clean energy team on assigned tasks.
• Assist in legal drafting and research of orders, rulemakings, and policy documents.
• Participate in internal and stakeholder meetings.

What you will learn:

• Gain insight into New Jersey laws and policies affecting clean energy deployment.
• Leave with at least one writing sample.
• Understand practice before the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities.

What we’d like to see:

• Strong legal research, writing and editing skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to meet project deadlines.
• Ability to effectively work in teams and independently.
• Proficiency in MS Office programs, such as Excel, PowerPoint and Word.

Education/Experience: The Law Clerk in this position should be a law student, preferably having completed their 2L year, with a preference for students that have completed relevant coursework in energy, environmental or New Jersey administrative law, or have related undergraduate coursework. Recent law school graduates affected by the pandemic or exceptional 1Ls will also be considered.
Law students with relevant undergraduate, previous job, or classroom experience in the energy sector are encouraged to apply, as are candidates who have shown a strong commitment to remedying the historical under-representation of people of color in energy through their work promoting inclusion and diversity, as well as through their own lived experiences. The Board specifically welcomes applications from students that have taken a non-traditional path to seeking their law degree, as well as those who followed a more conventional route.

Note: We invite members of all diverse communities to join our workforce as we endeavor to best serve New Jerseyans from every background. We believe that by welcoming differences, encouraging new ideas and views, listening to and learning from each other, and providing opportunities for professional enrichment we are better able to serve those around us.

Will there be opportunities for the intern to observe:

Internal strategy sessions?       Legislative sessions?       Committee hearings?

Is the intern expected to work evenings and weekends? If so, please explain.



Do you have any suggestions for the applicants? (Please use additional pages if necessary)