Chief Attorney
About The Position
The Office of Public Counsel seeks a talented and experienced supervising attorney to lead, guide, and train litigation teams to achieve successful outcomes for Florida’s utility customers. You will play a critical role as the statutory intervenor for cases involving utility rate affordability, data center tariffs and agreements, clean energy resources, storm hardening plans, hurricane restoration costs, corporate accounting and finance, capital investment plans, and the cost-effective development and integration of future energy technologies. You will also take or supervise direct appeals to the Florida Supreme Court for electric and gas cases, and to the First District Court of Appeals for water cases. The Office of Public Counsel has zealously represented Florida’s customers in high profile litigation for the past 52 years. We intervene as a matter of right to represent residential, commercial, and industrial customers in proceedings involving the collective interests of all customers of Florida’s publicly owned utilities. Our advocates actively confront critical affordability issues where the amounts in controversy can exceed billions of dollars, in public hearings before the Public Service Commission. The Public Counsel performs independent analyses, presents testimony of expert witnesses, deposes and cross-examines utility witnesses, files recommendations, and present oral arguments. Our attorneys manage their own cases but operate as members of a litigation team. You may conduct negotiated settlements that result in fair, just, and reasonable outcomes for all customers. Our advocates may also brief and argue their own cases on appeal.
Requirements
- Attorney in good standing with the Florida Bar
- At least three years of significant litigation experience
- Mastery of the rules related to litigation practice in Florida
- Comprehend, utilize, and organize complex documents, legal theories, and research
- Interpret state and federal legislation, laws, and rules
- Employ legal reasoning to anticipate challenges and implement creative solutions
- Advocate effectively in written and oral communications
- Independent leadership, cooperative teamwork, initiative, and common sense
- Work collaboratively with outside counsel, expert witnesses, officials, and public staff
- Conduct effective and efficient meetings and presentations
- Prepare well-written, accurate, and persuasive legal writing
- Conduct relevant and effective legal research to support your positions
- Prepare and present trial briefs, motions, pleadings, and oral arguments
- Exercise stewardship over all public funds and property
- Uphold the highest standards of ethics and professionalism
- Safeguard confidential and sensitive information
- Treat all people with courtesy, dignity, and respect
- Zealously advocate for affordable utility rates and other positive customer outcomes
- Put forth the full effort required to organize, plan, and achieve litigation goals
Nice To Haves
- Appellate experience is helpful but not required.
- Multilingual ability is an asset but not required.
Responsibilities
- Lead, guide, and train litigation teams to achieve successful outcomes for Florida’s utility customers.
- Serve as the statutory intervenor for cases involving utility rate affordability, data center tariffs and agreements, clean energy resources, storm hardening plans, hurricane restoration costs, corporate accounting and finance, capital investment plans, and the cost-effective development and integration of future energy technologies.
- Take or supervise direct appeals to the Florida Supreme Court for electric and gas cases, and to the First District Court of Appeals for water cases.
- Perform independent analyses, present testimony of expert witnesses, depose and cross-examine utility witnesses, file recommendations, and present oral arguments.
- Manage own cases while operating as a member of a litigation team.
- Conduct negotiated settlements that result in fair, just, and reasonable outcomes for all customers.
- Brief and argue own cases on appeal.
- Conduct written discovery, depositions, and examination of industry experts and executives.
- Retain, prepare, and defend industry experts in depositions and hearings.
- Set the example, mentor, and encourage the future success of junior counsel in a collaborative environment.
- Respond to Legislative inquiries.
- Advocate for much needed regulatory change, enforce the regulatory framework of customer protections and recommend improvements that promote positive outcomes for customers.
- Hone advocacy skills in a variety of public venues to promote the best interests of Florida’s customers, ranging from the highest courts to local service hearings within impacted communities.
Benefits
- Excellent individual and family health benefits
- Free dental insurance
- Retirement plan options that include employer contributions
- Utilize state tuition opportunities to secure advanced degrees
- Generous upfront allotment of leave, sick leave, and holidays
- Work-life balance through 200 excess hours towards block leave
- Large annual carryforward to offset the demands of trying 3-5 complex, multi-day cases per year as lead attorney
Stand Out From the Crowd
Upload your resume and get instant feedback on how well it matches this job.
What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
Education Level
No Education Listed
