Description:
Summary:The Associate General Counsel assists the Chief Legal Officer (CLO) in the legal representation of An Electric Utility Company, and manages such legal representation as directed by the CLO.
Essential Functions:
- Assist the CLO with corporate governance and related legal matters.
- Assist the CLO in conducting litigation or monitoring the conduct of such litigation by outside counsel. Supervise and provide direction to outside counsel and experts. Takes appropriate action to minimize the costs of outside counsel and experts to Chugach.
- Assist the CLO in matters of advising the Board and management on legal issues concerning the formulation and implementation of legal strategy.
- Assist the CLO in local, state, and federal regulatory, statutory, and legislative processes by reviewing existing and proposed regulations, statutes and other legislation, drafting proposed regulations, statutes and legislation, and/or identifying and summarizing possible legal issues involved.
- Assist in the tender and defense of matters covered by Chugach's insurance policies. Coordinate and assist attorneys retained by Chugach or its insurance carriers in defending covered claims.
- Assist the CLO in the representation of Chugach in state and federal courts and before municipal, state, and federal administrative agencies.
- Conduct in-house training seminars on various legal matters.
- Assist the CLO in development of standard language for use in Chugach contracts. Draft, negotiate, and review contracts between Chugach and third parties as requested.
- Identify areas of legal exposure for Chugach and recommend preventive action to the CLO.
- Assist the CLO in review and development of necessary policies and procedures.
- Assist the CLO in the preparation of legal department budget and monitor actual to budget expenses.
- Attend Chugach member committee meetings and provide assistance and guidance to member committees as needed.
Relationships:
Internal
- Chief Legal Officer (CLO): Reports to, receives direction and guidance from.
- Board of Directors: Present information to, as directed by CLO.
- VP/Division Leadership: Assist, coordinate, and work closely with.
- Regulatory Commission of Alaska: Assist in matters before. Consult with for resolution of consumer complaints. Communicate with regarding tariff and policy matters.
- Outside Consultants: Communicate with and coordinate work of.
- Other Utilities: Assist in coordination and resolution of issues with.
- Chugach Members: Assist in communication and resolution of issues with.
Competencies:
- Must have a thorough knowledge of the municipal, state, and federal laws affecting electric utilities.
- Must have specialized legal skills including legal research and writing, contract drafting and negotiation, and litigation skills.
- Must be comfortable speaking in public.
- Proficiency with standard office PC and Microsoft Office suite required.
Supervisory Responsibility:
This position does not have supervisory responsibility.
Work Environment:
Work is performed in a standard office environment. Occasional travel required. Considerable after-normal-working-hours work required, particularly for Board and member committee meetings.
Minimum Qualifications and Experience
Education:
Juris Doctorate from accredited US law school. Licensed to practice law in Alaska or Licensed to practice in any state in the US that has reciprocity with Alaska, required.
Experience:
Three (3) years of progressively responsible legal experience, required.
Preferred: Experience in corporate transactions, commercial contract negotiations, and/or regulatory litigation. Experience working in the utility or energy industry. Experience working in a corporate in-house setting.