General Counsel, Gas Operations

Essential Utilities, Inc.•Pittsburgh, PA

19d

About The Position

The General Counsel, Gas Operations serves as the primary legal advisor for the Company's gas operations and reports directly to the Vice President & General Counsel. The role provides strategic legal counsel and support across operational, regulatory, commercial, and compliance matters affecting the gas business. The successful candidate partners with business leaders to support operational objectives, ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations, and proactively identify, assess, and mitigate legal risks. The position advises leadership, supports gas distribution, transmission, storage, construction, engineering, environmental, and operational activities, and manages litigation and commercial agreements. It also handles legal support for real estate matters, interfaces with government and regulatory agencies, monitors regulatory developments, represents the organization in negotiations and proceedings, and collaborates with Human Resources and business leadership on employment-related legal matters as needed.

Requirements

Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school.
Licensed to practice law in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Minimum of 10 years of relevant legal experience.
Minimum of 5 years of experience supporting utilities, energy companies, infrastructure organizations, or other highly regulated industries.
Strong knowledge of state and federal public utility laws, regulations, and regulatory processes.
Strong knowledge of contract law, litigation management, regulatory compliance, and real estate matters.
Knowledge of legal and regulatory issues affecting natural gas operations and infrastructure.
Ability to solve complex legal matters related to the utility and energy industry.
Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to effectively advise executive leadership.
Ability to influence and build relationships across all levels of the organization.
Ability to work independently while managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
Demonstrated commitment to integrity, sound judgment, and ethical legal practice.

Nice To Haves

Experience supporting natural gas utilities or energy delivery organizations.
Experience with utility regulatory matters involving the PUC, FERC, DEP, PHMSA, or similar regulatory agencies.
Experience with construction, engineering, infrastructure, and commercial contracting.
Experience in real estate transactions, rights-of-way, easements, and land use matters.
Experience managing outside counsel and litigation matters.
Experience advising senior executives on strategic and operational legal issues.

Responsibilities

Provide legal counsel and strategic guidance to leadership on legal, regulatory, operational, and business matters impacting gas operations.
Serve as the lead legal advisor for gas distribution, transmission, storage, construction, engineering, environmental, and operational activities.
Manage and support litigation matters, including coordinating outside counsel, developing legal strategy, assessing cases, and pursuing resolution.
Draft, review, negotiate, and manage construction, engineering, consulting, professional services, vendor, and other commercial agreements.
Advise business leaders on contract interpretation, compliance obligations, and risk mitigation strategies.
Provide legal support for real estate matters, including rights-of-way, easements, property acquisitions, and related transactions.
Interface with governmental and regulatory agencies, including PA DEP, PUC, FERC, and other applicable authorities.
Monitor and advise on federal, state, and local regulatory developments affecting gas utility operations.
Research, analyze, and interpret complex legal and regulatory issues affecting the utility and energy industry.
Develop legal strategies and recommendations that support business objectives while minimizing legal and regulatory risk.
Prepare legal memoranda, opinions, correspondence, and other documents as required.
Represent the organization in negotiations, regulatory proceedings, and other legal matters.
Collaborate with Human Resources and business leadership on employment-related legal matters as needed.
Maintain high standards of ethics, professionalism, and confidentiality.