Corporate Attorney

Northeast Ohio Public Energy Council•Solon, OH

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

We are looking for a talented high performing attorney with a minimum of 10 years of increasingly responsible experience to be our General Counsel to add value to our organizations. You will provide counsel to NOPEC leadership that will guide and inform decision making for NOPEC (an Ohio council of governments), and its affiliated non-profit organizations, NOPEC, Inc. (501c4) and NOPEC Foundation, Inc. (501c3). You will always operate within the law, provide counsel on legal issues, serve as an effective, trusted legal advisor for the organization(s), and assist NOPEC’s leadership in facilitating business strategies to best provide service to our member communities, businesses, and residential customers. In addition, you will be expected to represent NOPEC before state and federal governmental regulatory authorities, including the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, and provide advice on all regulatory and state and federal legislative issues that affect NOPEC, its communities and our programs. You will report directly to NOPEC’s Executive Director/CEO and will also provide legal advice and assistance to the NOPEC leadership team. You will provide legal advice and assist in legal communications with the Board of Directors of NOPEC, NOPEC Inc., and NOPEC Foundation Inc.

Requirements

Excellent verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills to work professionally with our leadership team, staff, board members, member communities, regulatory agencies, other stakeholders and vendors.
Possess a high degree of professionalism, ethics, and integrity.
Successful candidate will hold a bachelor’s degree and a J.D. degree and be a member of the Ohio Bar in good standing, or in good standing of another state and able to be admitted to the Ohio bar within 6-9 months.
Have at least 12 years of legal experience with increasing responsibility in the energy/utilities industry, which can include experience with a relevant governmental or nonprofit agency, a law firm or a corporation, with a broad overview of how legal and financial issues affect organizations.

Nice To Haves

Prior experience in representing clients before the PUCO or another state utilities commission greatly preferred.
Knowledge of federal and state energy markets, regulations and trends preferred.
Knowledge of Ohio laws applicable to Ohio political subdivisions is desirable.
Commitment to NOPEC’s mission and values.

Responsibilities

Oversee all legal and regulatory compliance activities of the organizations.
Coordinate hiring and oversee activities of outside counsel to ensure quality, consistency, cost-effectiveness and fair billing to the organizations.
Serve as legal representative of the organization(s) to members and outside stakeholders.
Deal with external parties, including but not limited to, state and federal regulators, external counsel, elected public officials, consultants, energy suppliers and utility companies as directed by the CEO.
Attend Board and General Assembly meetings for all entities as required.
Assist in preparation of board resolutions, review of all contracts and recommendations for Board actions for all business transacted in due course.
Assist leadership in anticipating issues and estimate risk strategies, based on a high degree of ethics and integrity.
Prepare, review, and negotiate legal documents and all contracts prior to execution to identify legal issues and mitigate risks.
Oversee maintaining current internal organizational documents (e., Articles/Governing Documents, Code of Regulations, Bylaws) and required statutory compliance filings.
Assist in review of internal organizational policies and procedures as needed.
Assist in contractual issues related to the procurement of electricity and natural gas supply, development of renewable energy projects, including power purchase agreements, interconnection agreements, and financing for NOPEC’s programs.
Review proposed rules and pending legislation and advise leadership of changes that may impact the organizations.
Analyze, prioritize and complete multiple projects.