Assistant Attorney General (PUC Litigation)

State of Colorado•Denver, CO

21h•Hybrid

About The Position

The Public Utilities Commission (PUC) Litigation Unit in the Revenue and Utilities Section is seeking an energetic attorney to serve as litigation counsel to the Trial Staff of the Public Utilities Commission. The Unit's cases involve important cutting-edge Colorado environmental issues concerning renewable solar and wind energy, electric vehicle infrastructure, grid modernization, and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. The Unit's cases also involve litigation of PUC transportation matters concerning the safety and oversight of passenger carriers for hire, towing, vehicle booting, household good movers, and common carriers. We also litigate PUC proceedings concerning railroad/state highway crossings, telecommunications, and gas pipeline safety. The attorney will be part of a collaborative 10-person team that appears in litigated proceedings before the Commission's administrative law judges and Commissioners sitting en banc. The attorney will work with Trial Staff to help ensure fair utility rates for all types of customers, and also, promote safety on the transportation side of our work. Ideal candidates possess a team-focused enthusiasm for the written and oral litigation process at the administrative law level who are willing to learn the unique nuances of PUC-specific litigation while working alongside their new Unit colleagues on innovative energy law issues concerning the deployment of renewable energy resources in Colorado as well as protecting public safety in regulated transportation cases. WHO WE ARE The Office of the Attorney General/Department of Law is the "People's Lawyer." The Attorney General, Phil Weiser, was elected by the people of Colorado and is the State's chief lawyer and law enforcement official. Our vision for the Department of Law is: "Together, we serve Colorado and its people, advancing the rule of law, protecting our democracy and promoting justice for all." Our core values and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, drive our actions and demonstrate our focus on being principled public servants who are innovative and better together. Visit our website to learn more: https://coag.gov/ . Description of Job WHAT YOU WILL DO The PUC Litigation Unit, which is part of the Revenue & Utilities section, has a caseload which focuses on energy law (gas and electric utilities litigation) and transportation matters (transportation for hire, towing, vehicle booting, intrastate movers, and common carriers). Attorneys occasionally work on telecommunications, railroad, and gas pipeline safety cases, too. The selected attorneys will handle a diverse caseload, typically partnered with one or two other attorneys in the Unit, and occasionally, may handle cases solo. A portion of the selected attorneys' caseload will concern PUC transportation matters. The Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC) regulates the rates, charges, services, and facilities of public utilities within Colorado. Our attorneys work with Trial Staff (e.g., engineers, accountants, rate analysts, transportation investigators, and economists) in all aspects of the PUC's unique litigation process including: preparing and filing interventions; drafting and propounding discovery requests; working with Trial Staff to produce pre-filed testimony; preparing responses to discovery requests; preparing for evidentiary hearings (including witness preparation); performing direct examinations; cross-examining witnesses; writing post-hearing statements of position; drafting exceptions to decisions; and negotiating settlement agreements. Throughout these stages, our attorneys are actively involved in strategy discussions with co-counsel and Trial Staff. Litigated matters before the PUC in energy law matters are document intensive, detailed, technical, and can sometimes involve more than a half dozen other parties and their legal counsel. These proceedings involve not only utility rates and ratemaking but also matters concerning the implementation of Colorado's clean energy goals. Litigated matters before the PUC in transportation matters often concern hearings against a single defendant, usually appearing pro se, but can also be complex, involving multiple defendants or regulated companies. The Unit is made up of 9 attorneys and an administrative assistant, all of whom typically devote 100% of their time to cases before the PUC. This recruitment may be used to fill multiple attorney positions in the Revenue & Regulatory Law section. Salary Note: The Department of Law uses a wage progression compensation model. Although a salary range is listed, salary will be set commensurate with the successful candidate's qualifications and in compliance with the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act. Attorneys with less than 3 years of experience as a practicing attorney will be hired as an Assistant Attorney General I (AAG I). The salary range for an AAG I is $88,197 – $96,554 annually. Attorneys with more than 3 years of experience practicing as an attorney will be hired as an Assistant Attorney General II (AAG II). The AAG II salary range is $102,099 – $136,468 annually. Salary will be paid on a biweekly basis.

Requirements

Must be admitted to the Colorado Bar or be clearly eligible to waive into the Colorado Bar and be in good standing at the time of application.
Candidates eligible to waive into the Colorado Bar will be required to submit proof of their completed application and application for Practice Pending Admission before the first day of employment.
A minimum of three years of practice as a litigation attorney is preferred.
Strong litigation abilities, including legal writing, oral argument, client counseling, cross-examination, legal strategy, and settlement negotiation.
Ability to assume diverse caseload with moderate supervision and have good judgment as to when to consult teammates and supervisors.
A well-developed ability to work collaboratively with a variety of people.
Self-starter who is eager to learn and develop professionally.
Excellent self-awareness and judgment.
Well-developed client service, interpersonal skills, and negotiation talent.
Passion for producing excellent work product and keen attention to detail.
Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and public service.
At least one writing sample is required.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of or strong interest in energy law, transportation law, Colorado public utilities law, Colorado administrative law, and/or environmental law/issues (e.g., solar, wind, electric vehicles and charging infrastructure, clean energy, renewable energy, social cost of carbon, and greenhouse gas reduction).

Responsibilities

Serve as litigation counsel to the Trial Staff of the Public Utilities Commission.
Handle a diverse caseload, typically partnered with one or two other attorneys in the Unit, and occasionally, may handle cases solo.
Prepare and file interventions.
Draft and propound discovery requests.
Work with Trial Staff to produce pre-filed testimony.
Prepare responses to discovery requests.
Prepare for evidentiary hearings, including witness preparation.
Perform direct examinations.
Cross-examine witnesses.
Write post-hearing statements of position.
Draft exceptions to decisions.
Negotiate settlement agreements.
Actively participate in strategy discussions with co-counsel and Trial Staff.

Benefits

Competitive medical and dental health plans
Employer-paid life insurance
Paid holidays
Retirement plans with Colorado PERA
Vacation and sick leave earned each month
Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility
Free access to a recently renovated on-site fitness center
Excellent work-life programs, such as flexible work schedules, professional development opportunities, and an employee discount program
Employer-paid mental health and counseling services through Colorado State Employee Assistance Program
Employer-paid annual attorney registration dues
Employer-provided access to professional development training and CLE through PLI, Department of Law University and other entities