Careers

With over 70 attorneys maintaining a tradition of excellence in offices in Washington, D.C., Denver, Colorado, and Austin, Texas, we bring big firm legal skills with a small firm approach.

As a mid-sized communications, energy, and technology law firm based in Washington, D.C., Wilkinson Barker Knauer, LLP provides the quality of representation and client base typically associated with a large firm, while maintaining the personal style of a smaller firm. To sustain and enhance these unique qualities, the firm seeks candidates who have balanced excellence in law school with solid professional and personal achievements.

WBK is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of gender, age, racial or ethnic background, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, or veteran status. The ideal candidate will also bring a strong work ethic, team‑oriented ethos, and a healthy, perhaps even irreverent, sense of humor. We look forward to meeting you.

Read WBK’s Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion.

Lateral Openings

Associate Openings

Senior Associate (Energy – Administrative Litigation and Policy)
Austin, TX or Denver, CO

To apply, please complete an application here and attach one .pdf containing your cover letter, resume, transcript, and writing sample.

Wilkinson Barker Knauer, one of the largest law firms in the nation dedicated primarily to the practice of communications and energy law, is ranked as a “First Tier” firm by Chambers USA (Telecom, Broadcast, and Satellite: Regulatory), and Legal 500 (Telecoms and broadcast: regulatory), and is the only firm to be named “Law Firm of the Year” in communications law five times by U.S. News – Best Lawyers (2012, 2014, 2018, 2019, and 2021). The firm, with offices in Washington, DC, Denver, Colorado, and Austin, Texas, advises clients ranging from global Fortune 100 companies to small start-ups in regulatory, transactional, privacy, consumer protection, intellectual property, corporate and litigation matters involving all aspects of communications and energy law, at both the state and federal levels.

Our Ideal Candidate

Wilkinson Barker Knauer, LLP, seeks a mid- to senior associate to join its busy and expanding energy regulatory practice. The ideal candidate will have at least 3-5 years of experience in energy regulatory litigation and/or commercial litigation. This opportunity is client-facing, so the ideal candidate should demonstrate excellent communications skills – written and verbal, client responsiveness, initiative, and extreme attention to detail. The ideal candidate will be based in our Austin, TX or Denver, CO office.

WBK is a national leader in energy regulatory litigation and policy, particularly with its growing Mountain West practice. We routinely represent some of the largest, Fortune-500 investor-owned utilities, energy developers, and large customers in state public utilities commission proceedings across the country, including some of the most transformative integrated resource plans, clean energy plans, transmission projects, and ratemaking cases. In addition to serving as administrative litigation counsel for an impressive suite of utility clients, we provide strategic policy, regulatory, and legislative advice, often working at the forefront of some of the most complex policy issues in the nation.

The ideal candidate will have a passion for exploring these issues and working closely with regulatory colleagues and client subject matter experts to forge constructive regulatory and policy outcomes. For the right candidate, this opening is a chance to join a team with a rapidly growing client base and geographical presence, to develop deep relationships with clients as a trusted advisor, and to develop the candidate’s professional skills and interests.

We currently have a substantial energy client footprint in Colorado, Texas, New Mexico, and Nevada, plus a growing presence in California, Washington, D.C., the Midwest and Southeast. The firm’s Denver, Colorado office and recently-opened Austin, Texas office predominantly serve our state regulatory practices, though we have attorneys and policy advisors located in Washington D.C. and in strategic virtual offices across the country.

Our Firm

WBK is a special place to practice law. We mean it when we say we are #notjustanotherlawfirm. With over 70 attorneys and advisors, including former state and federal commissioners and staff, the firm offers clients the capabilities and expertise of a large firm combined with the personal style and agency expertise only a boutique firm can deliver. Each day, we work together for both the common good of the group and the common goal of building and maintaining a nationally recognized legal practice. We highly value collaboration, supporting each other personally and professionally using our individual talents and expertise. Every attorney is encouraged to be entrepreneurial and to contribute in their own way; there is no single model for success. We avoid silos, hierarchy, and bureaucracy, working as a team to deliver results. WBK has long been committed to community, inclusion, and service, with attorneys and staff devoting substantial time and energy to volunteerism, civic and community leadership, charitable giving, pro bono work, mentoring, service on nonprofit boards, teaching, and more. These activities are not just permitted but actively encouraged and supported at WBK.

To sustain and enhance these unique firm qualities, WBK lawyers must be flexible and creative, adapting to provide the highest quality service. We seek candidates who have balanced excellence in law school and career achievements with a personal commitment to advance the legal profession and serve the broader community. We welcome candidates from either the private or public sector; WBK has substantial experience onboarding those leaving government service for private practice.

Compensation and Benefits: Associates’ annual base compensation is based on a lock‑step scale and ranges from $170,000-$250,000, depending on year and geographic location. Associates are eligible for an annual bonus based on their performance during the preceding 12 months. In addition to compensation and bonuses, Associates are eligible for the following benefits: medical, dental, and vision insurance; life insurance; accidental death or dismemberment insurance; short term disability insurance; long term disability insurance; travel insurance; 401(k) plan; profit sharing (once eligible); parental leave; vacation/personal leave; wireless phone service allowance; coverage of bar association dues consistent with WBK policies; pre-tax payment/contributions for transportation, parking, and dependent care; and a health savings account (if enrolled in a high deductible medical plan). All benefits listed above are subject to change at the discretion of the Partnership.

Administrative Openings

Receptionist (Washington, DC)

How to Apply
To be considered for this position, please complete an application HERE and attach one .pdf containing your cover letter, resume, and transcript.

Job Description
Wilkinson Barker Knauer, LLP seeks a Receptionist for its top-tier communications practice in its Washington, DC office. This is a non-exempt position with a 40-hour work week and the need for occasional overtime. We provide competitive compensation and benefits and an enjoyable, good-natured work environment. The Receptionist will have primary responsibility for answering the main phone lines, welcoming visitors to the Firm, and the following basic tasks:

Monitor elevator lobby and welcome clients and visitors into the office;
Call to announce client/visitor arrival and direct parties to the assigned conference rooms, as appropriate;
Maintain proper appearance/operation of the front desk;
Maintain a positive and professional demeanor;
Answer external and internal calls and transfer calls, as appropriate;
Train other staff for front desk coverage;
Occasionally assist entering attorney time in LMS;
Occasional opportunity to stay late when there is an evening event in the office;
Send service requests to building engineers;
Send visitors list through Tenant Portal Service;
Maintain firms monthly telephone directory in NetDocs;
Assist Marketing Department to manage and update Firm’s contact system;
Assist Human Resources with miscellaneous recruiting tasks;
Assist with Denver switchboard break coverage, when necessary.

Required Education and/or Experience

College degree or two (2) years’ experience in a law firm or professional services environment is required. Law firm experience preferred.

Qualifications

To be successful in this position, the Receptionist must maintain a pleasant demeanor when answering incoming calls and welcoming visitors to the firm. He/she should exhibit independent thinking, be highly professional, and have the ability to appropriately interact with all levels of law firm personnel, clients, and other visitors to the firm. He/she should be proficient with Microsoft Office Suite.

Our Firm
Wilkinson Barker Knauer, one of the largest law firms in the nation dedicated primarily to the practice of communications and energy law, is ranked as a “First Tier” firm by Chambers USA (Telecom, Broadcast, and Satellite: Regulatory), and Legal 500 (Telecoms and broadcast: regulatory), and is the only firm to be named “Law Firm of the Year” in communications law five times by U.S. News – Best Lawyers (2012, 2014, 2018, 2019, and 2021). The firm, with offices in Washington, DC, Denver, Colorado, and Austin, Texas advises clients ranging from global Fortune 100 companies to small start-ups in regulatory, transactional, privacy, consumer protection, intellectual property, corporate and litigation matters involving all aspects of communications and energy law, at both the state and federal levels.

WBK is a special place to practice law; we mean it when we say we are #notjustanotherlawfirm. With over 70 attorneys and advisors, the firm provides the quality of representation and client base typically associated with a large firm, with the personal style only a smaller firm can deliver. Each day, we work together for both the common good of the group and the common goal of building and maintaining a nationally recognized legal practice. We highly value collaboration, supporting each other personally and professionally using our individual talents and expertise. Every attorney is encouraged to be entrepreneurial and to contribute in their own way; there is no single model for success. We avoid silos, hierarchy, and bureaucracy, working as a team to deliver results. WBK has long been committed to community, inclusion, and service, with attorneys and staff devoting substantial time and energy to volunteerism, civic and community leadership, charitable giving, pro bono work, mentoring, service on nonprofit boards, teaching, and more. These activities are not just permitted but actively encouraged and supported at WBK.

To sustain and enhance these unique firm qualities, we seek candidates who have balanced excellence in law school and career achievements with a personal commitment to advance the legal profession and serve the broader community. The ideal candidate will bring a strong work ethic, team-oriented ethos, and a healthy, perhaps even irreverent, sense of humor.

Commitment to Diversity:
WBK recognizes the importance of diversity and inclusion among our lawyers, other professionals, and staff, as well as in the legal profession generally. We are one of the few firms led by an LGBTQIA+ Managing Partner, and our Administrative Partner is a woman. We are committed to building and maintaining a workforce that reflects the diversity of our client base and our communities, and we believe that a culture of inclusion significantly enhances our ability to provide superior legal services to our clients. WBK received Diversity Lab’s designation of Mansfield Certified Plus for 2020-2022 and we are participating in a new Midsize Mansfield cohort for 2022-2023. Mansfield Certification underscores WBK’s efforts to increase diversity in leadership pipelines within midsize law firms by broadening the pool of women lawyers, LGBTQ+ lawyers, lawyers with disabilities, and lawyers from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups who are considered for entry-level and lateral attorney job openings, firm governance opportunities, equity partner promotions, and opportunities to connect with clients. Mansfield Certification is just one indicator of WBK’s broad, strategic commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion at our firm and in the legal profession.

WBK is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of gender, age, racial or ethnic background, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, or veteran status.

We look forward to meeting you.

The Application Process

Candidates should submit a cover letter, resume, transcript, and a writing sample via Paycom link.

The interview process generally consists of an initial screening interview, as well as a call-back interview to meet with other associates and partners. Candidates should bring copies of their references to the initial screening interview, as well as an updated résumé and/or transcript, to the extent information has become outdated or was not previously provided. Reasonable travel expenses will be compensated for call-back interviews, which generally last several hours in either a morning or afternoon session.

New Associates

Wilkinson Barker seeks to extend offers for permanent positions as early as possible during the fall, generally by December 1. Based on which office they will be associated with, all new associates are required to become members of the D.C. Bar, Colorado Bar, or Texas Bar, either by examination or waiver.

Entry-level Associates typically join the firm in late August or early September, following completion of their bar exam. The firm provides a stipend to assist with living expenses, bar preparation, and exam expenses after graduation and prior to their start date with the firm.

The entry-level salary for new attorneys is set each year at competitive levels.

In addition to compensation and bonuses, Associates are eligible for the following benefits: medical, dental, and vision insurance; life insurance; accidental death or dismemberment insurance; short term disability insurance; long term disability insurance; travel insurance; 401(k) plan; profit sharing (once eligible); parental leave; vacation/personal leave; wireless phone service allowance; coverage of bar association dues consistent with WBK policies; pre-tax payment/contributions for transportation, parking, and dependent care; and a health savings account (if enrolled in a high deductible medical plan). All benefits listed above are subject to change at the discretion of the Partnership.

Summer Associate Program

Wilkinson Barker Knauer, LLP posts for our Summer Associate Program in early spring each year. This program is for candidates the summer before their final year of law school (e.g., the 2L-3L summer for students on the traditional three-year law school track). The firm also accepts applications for summer associate positions through the FCBA’s Diversity Pipeline program, Colorado Pledge to Diversity program, and certain other specific programs.

Law Clerk Opportunities

The hiring of law clerks is done on a case-by-case basis.

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We have used the firm for over 70 years. They have expanded their areas of expertise with technology, but have always retained remarkable responsiveness and very high cost effectiveness.

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