Associate Attorney I - II

Lansing Board of Water & Light • Lansing, MI

3d • Onsite

About The Position

This is an entry level position. Prosecutes and defends civil lawsuits, drafts and negotiates transactional legal documents, provides written and oral advice to employer and utility staff as to legal rights and issues. Reviews policies and other documents. Performs legal research on various subject matters. Advises employer concerning the legality and liability associated with business transactions, claim liability, advisability of prosecuting or defending lawsuits, and other legal rights and obligations. Conducts witness interviews and investigations. Evaluates findings, recommends strategy, and prepares legal arguments. Keeps updated on statutes, judicial decisions, regulations, and ordinances. Conducts all work under the supervision of the General Counsel or Deputy General Counsel. Interprets laws, rulings, and regulations. Prepares, files, and argues legal motions and briefs. Prepares and drafts legal documents, such as deeds, easements, leases, and contracts. Prepares opinions on legal compliance. Represents employer in court, quasi-judicial bodies, or before governmental agencies. Drafts corporate policy documents. Advises employer and internal clients. Performs multiple tasks efficiently as to meet deadlines. Other duties as assigned by supervisor. Expected to comply with all BWL policies and work rules. Reliable and predictable attendance.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree and Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school
• Must be member in good standing of the Michigan State Bar
• General knowledge of municipal law, utility law and administrative law
• Must possess and apply a broad knowledge of legal matters and the law to the completion of assignments
• Knowledge and ability to prepare and file motions, briefs, and memoranda, as well as appear in court on behalf of employer
• Strong writing and interpersonal skills, as well as the ability to multitask under tight time constraints
• Must be proficient in the use of Microsoft Word
• Fundamental Legal Writing Skills
• Experience conducting legal and computer-assisted legal research
• Outstanding interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate effectively at all organizational levels
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to exercise exceptional discretion and confidentiality
• Ability to enter and retrieve data from computerized, typed, and written sources
• Ability to interact with governmental agencies
• This intermediate level position requires a minimum of four years of post-bar admission legal experience
• Experience in areas of law relevant to energy, government, or business, e.g. administrative, employment or environmental law
• Increasing ability to operate independently of supervision; demonstrated expertise in one or more areas of law (e.g. employment, contract, litigation); manage all the tasks within that area of expertise

Nice To Haves

• Prior experience practicing law
• Familiarity with laws, statutes, regulations, and ordinances governing public entities
• Prior experience in areas of law relevant to energy, government or business (e.g., administrative, employment, or environmental law)

Responsibilities

• Prosecutes and defends civil lawsuits
• Drafts and negotiates transactional legal documents
• Provides written and oral advice to employer and utility staff as to legal rights and issues
• Reviews policies and other documents
• Performs legal research on various subject matters
• Advises employer concerning the legality and liability associated with business transactions, claim liability, advisability of prosecuting or defending lawsuits, and other legal rights and obligations
• Conducts witness interviews and investigations
• Evaluates findings, recommends strategy, and prepares legal arguments
• Keeps updated on statutes, judicial decisions, regulations, and ordinances
• Interprets laws, rulings, and regulations
• Prepares, files, and argues legal motions and briefs
• Prepares and drafts legal documents, such as deeds, easements, leases, and contracts
• Prepares opinions on legal compliance
• Represents employer in court, quasi-judicial bodies, or before governmental agencies
• Drafts corporate policy documents
• Advises employer and internal clients
• Performs multiple tasks efficiently as to meet deadlines
• Other duties as assigned by supervisor
• Expected to comply with all BWL policies and work rules
• Reliable and predictable attendance
• Represents employer in court or before quasi-judicial tribunals or administrative agencies of government
• Coordinates, as needed, under supervision of the General Counsel or Deputy General Counsel

Benefits

• Competitive wages
• Employee development
• Opportunity for professional growth
• Vacation
• Free choice time off
• Sick leave
• Parental leave
• 11 paid holidays
• Medical insurance
• Prescription drug coverage
• Dental insurance
• Life insurance
• Long-term disability insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Vision insurance
• Supplemental life insurance
• Dependent life insurance
• Flexible spending account
• AFLAC options
• LifeLock anti-theft protection
• Long-term care insurance
• Tuition reimbursement
• BWL's Home Purchase Plan – Forgivable $5,000 loan for purchase of a home in Lansing
• 401(a) Defined Contribution Plan (DC) (100% company paid up to 9.5% of base salary for BU positions and up to 13% of base salary for NBU positions)
• 457 Deferred Compensation matches up to $2,500 per year
• Post retirement benefits offered at the respective level of coverage, co-pays and health care premium, at the same level as active employees
• Two fitness centers located on site open 24/7
• Work life balance program
• Free parking

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level