The Senior Counsel will represent operating companies in administrative litigation and related appeals to civil courts, including regulatory proceedings before state public utility commissions that have jurisdiction over electric utility rates and operations.
Key Duties & Responsibilities:
- Conduct legal research, motion practice, discovery, comment on proposed rules, review and draft testimony, present company witnesses, and cross-examine opposing witnesses in hearings.
- Write briefs and engage in appellate practice; review and draft legislation.
- Provide legal advice to management and other company personnel regarding all aspects of public utility regulation.
- Exercise independent legal judgment and collaborate with outside legal counsel, state attorneys general, commission staff, and industry stakeholders.
- Coordinate and implement regulatory and legislative strategies for operating companies.
- Develop and manage advocacy before state utility commissions.
- Manage regulatory activities at the state level, including monitoring, analyzing, and overseeing the preparation of regulatory supporting documents such as testimony, comments, briefs, proposed orders, white papers, and discovery data responses.
- Assist in developing relationships with representatives of state legislative/regulatory and enforcement agencies to ensure effective communication, partnership, and cooperation.
Legal & Regulatory Requirements:
- Solid understanding of the regulatory and legislative environment at the state level, especially in Ohio, Kentucky, West Virginia, Virginia, Indiana, Tennessee, and/or Michigan.
- Strong understanding of the electric utility industry.
- Solid understanding of legal and regulatory issues relating to electric utilities.
- Solid understanding of electric utility ratemaking and CCN process.
- Ability to manage all levels of regulatory docketed proceedings, tariff filings, rulemakings, and legislative processes.
- Experience presenting and cross-examining witnesses in administrative hearings.
- Big picture oriented, yet focus driven, with strong attention to detail.
Communication Skills:
- Excellent oral and written communication skills.
- Strong advocacy and negotiation skills.
- Ability to communicate cross-functionally with all business units.
- Ability to relate to many different constituencies in a positive, proactive manner that will engender confidence from company management, employees, state utility commissions, and other industry groups.
- Problem solver coupled with good conflict resolution skills.
- Extremely organized, self-starter, and result-oriented.
Minimum Requirements:
Education & Professional Background:
- J.D. required. Eligible to practice in Ohio.
- Minimum of 5+ years of experience with a law firm or corporate legal department, preferably including experience before a state utility regulatory commission relating to electric public utilities.
- Prior experience representing parties in electric utility matters before the state public service commissions in Ohio and/or Kentucky, West Virginia, Virginia, Indiana, Tennessee, and Michigan.