Louisa Eberle advises regulators on energy issues

“What can physicists do? ” is an interview series that profiles physicists who opted for careers outside of academia.

Why did you go to law school?

I applied to graduate school in physics, engineering, and law. I realized that if you want to make a real-world impact, it’s not just about technical solutions; it’s also about making sure there are policies and structures in place. I had enjoyed mock trial in high school. And, like physics, law uses the logical, problem-solving brain.

What were you looking for in a job?

I wasn’t sure if I wanted to be a litigator or go the policy route, but I knew that I wanted to focus on the environment and energy.

Describe your career path.

Right out of law school, I clerked for a judge on Alaska’s supreme court. Next, I spent nearly seven years at the Sierra Club. I helped facilitate internal litigation approvals for local and national environmental issues, litigated energy utility cases, and later became a staff attorney, mostly supporting the gas exports team.

In 2024, I moved to RAP, a global NGO working on energy issues. I advise regulators on the electric grid, energy affordability, how to achieve decarbonization, and more.

What do you like about your work?

It’s interesting and I learn a lot. At the Sierra Club, I liked working on community impact and environmental justice issues.

At RAP, I like the creativity and that I provide guidance on a wide array of topics. I also love my colleagues. They are from all over the world, and I learn about best practices from Europe and China.

How do you use your physics in your job?

The electric grid is incredibly complex. Understanding the basic concepts of how it works and having the ability to communicate with technical folks are skills I use.

And my expertise in how energy systems function was useful when, at the Sierra Club, I had to go in front of commissions and help experts present testimony. Now, at RAP, my physics knowledge is useful in providing technical support to regulators.

Is there anything you’d like to add?

It seemed daunting when I was thinking of all the options. My physics background provided a widely applicable skill set and gave me a leg up for getting into law school.