Director of Legal Services (Regulated Utility)

Liberty Utilities•Londonderry, NH

About The Position

The Director of Legal Services provides and manages day-to-day legal services for Liberty Utilities (Granite State Electric) Corp., a regulated New Hampshire electric utility. The role focuses particularly on regulatory matters and may provide backup assistance to Liberty Utilities (EnergyNorth Natural Gas) Corp. as needed. The Director works closely with utility leadership, regulatory teams, other business groups, and the Legal Department. The successful candidate serves as an in-house subject matter expert on regulatory, business, and operational legal issues affecting the utility, with particular attention to an environment involving competitive suppliers and community aggregators. The role advises on utility regulation, including state and Federal Energy Regulatory Commission matters, and supports regulatory filings, testimony, tariff review, rate cases, and proceedings before the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission. It also develops legal and business strategies, manages outside counsel, and advises on proposed changes to laws, rules, and regulations. The position is part of Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp. (AQN), a diversified international generation, transmission, and distribution utility. AQN and its operating companies provide energy and water services to customers in the United States, Canada, Bermuda, and Chile.

Requirements

Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school.
At least 10 years of experience in utility regulatory law.
Strong knowledge of electric and gas regulation.
Licensed to practice law in New Hampshire or eligible to obtain New Hampshire licensure.
Prior legal experience in government and/or a regulated utility environment, including handling rate cases and other matters before regulatory commissions.
Understanding of key business issues and requirements of regulated utilities and their implications for legal issues.
Proficiency with computer applications, including Microsoft Office Suite and the internet.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
Flexibility to travel within the United States and Canada.
Valid driver's license and passport.

Nice To Haves

Electric utility experience at both the state and Federal Energy Regulatory Commission levels is strongly preferred.
Experience in operational matters.

Responsibilities

Serve as the in-house subject matter expert on regulatory, business, and operational legal issues affecting the utility.
Work with leadership and regulatory, operations, accounting, customer service, engineering, and finance departments on regulatory legal matters.
Handle complex utility regulatory issues and provide legal advice and counsel, including on state and Federal Energy Regulatory Commission matters.
Review tariffs; research regulatory requirements; and assist with regulatory filings and the drafting and preparation of testimony.
Support regulatory proceedings, including rate cases, default service, energy efficiency, and other matters, and represent Granite State Electric before the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission.
Develop legal and business strategies for capital projects, regulatory filings, operational matters, and other business decisions.
Review court and regulatory agency decisions to identify precedent in regulatory and legal matters.
Advise on the likely legal or other impacts of proposed changes to rules, regulations, and applicable laws.
Manage outside legal counsel on a range of matters, including litigation.
Manage the strategy and execution of rate cases with utility leadership and departments, including case development and witness preparation for proceedings and hearings.
Provide assistance to other Liberty-owned or controlled utilities, including Liberty Utilities (EnergyNorth Natural Gas) Corp., when requested and time permits.
Respond to internal and external queries and requests relating to legal issues.
Perform other duties as assigned.