Director of Legal Services

Liberty Utilities•Joplin, MO

48d

About The Position

Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp. (AQN), parent company of Liberty, is a diversified international generation, transmission, and distribution utility. Through its operating subsidiaries and affiliates, Liberty Utilities Co. owns and/or operates regulated water, wastewater, natural gas, and electric transmission and distribution utilities across thirteen U.S. states, one Canadian province, Bermuda, and Chile, serving more than 1,000,000 customers. The Director of Legal Services reports directly to the Vice President, Associate General Counsel, Liberty Utilities. The position provides and manages legal services for Liberty’s electric, gas, and water operating companies, particularly in Missouri. It works closely with utility leadership, regulatory teams, and other business groups, including corporate leadership and utility presidents in Missouri, Arkansas, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, and Oklahoma. The role serves as an in-house legal subject matter expert on regulatory, business, and operational matters, with particular emphasis on vertically integrated electric utilities. It advises on utility regulation, regulatory proceedings, rate cases, capital projects, operational matters, corporate governance, transactions, and general business issues. The position represents operating utilities before state and federal regulatory commissions and manages outside counsel.

Requirements

Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school.
At least seven years of experience in utility regulatory law.
Strong preference for electric utility experience at both the state and Federal Energy Regulatory Commission levels.
Must be licensed to practice law or eligible to obtain licensure in Missouri.
Prior legal experience in government and/or a regulated utility environment, including handling rate cases and other regulatory matters before regulatory commissions.
Understanding of key business issues and requirements of regulated utilities and their implications for legal matters.
Proficiency with computer applications, including Microsoft Office Suite and the internet.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
Flexibility to travel within the U.S. and Canada.
Valid driver’s license and passport.

Nice To Haves

Experience in utility operational matters.

Responsibilities

Serve as an in-house subject matter expert on regulatory, business, and operational legal issues affecting the utility lines of business, particularly vertically integrated electric utilities.
Work closely with leadership and regulatory, operations, accounting, customer service, engineering, and finance departments for operating utilities in Missouri, Arkansas, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, and Oklahoma.
Handle complex legal matters and advise on utility regulation, including generation, transmission and distribution, state and Federal Energy Regulatory Commission matters, tariffs, litigation, and customer complaints.
Research and write about regulatory requirements; assist with filings and draft and prepare testimony for regulatory proceedings, including rate cases.
Develop relationships with and represent regulated utilities before regulatory commissions in Arkansas, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, and FERC.
Develop legal and business strategies for capital projects, regulatory filings, operational matters, and other business decisions.
Review court and regulatory agency decisions to determine applicable precedent.
Draft and review legal opinions, regulatory filings, rules, and regulations, and explain, support, and defend Company goals and objectives.
Advise on the probable legal and other impacts of proposed changes to rules, regulations, and applicable laws.
Review files, records, and briefs and research legal questions.
Manage outside legal counsel, including counsel handling litigation involving Liberty.
Complete or coordinate with other departments on accurate and timely reports required for regulatory filings and compliance.
Manage rate-case execution, including case development and witness preparation before and during proceedings and hearings.
Support corporate governance for affiliates in multiple U.S. jurisdictions and assist with due diligence for mergers and acquisitions and finance transactions.
Advise and assist finance, treasury, customer service, operations, engineering, and regulatory teams.
Provide legal advice and representation on general business matters, including commercial transactions, real estate, contracts, pole attachments, labor and employment, and litigation.
Provide assistance to other utilities owned or controlled by Liberty when requested and time permits.
Respond to internal and external queries and requests concerning legal issues.
Assist with corporate initiatives to create and implement governance and corporate policies.
Perform other duties as assigned.