Senior Counsel

State of Maine•Hallowell, ME

1d•$97,282 - $137,883•Hybrid

About The Position

The State of Maine, Executive Department, Office of the Public Advocate (OPA), represents the interests of Maine users of utility services, including electricity, natural gas, water and telecommunications. We are seeking an experienced attorney for the anticipated vacant position of Senior Counsel. As Senior Counsel, you will represent consumers in electricity, natural gas, telecommunications and water proceedings before the Maine Public Utilities Commission and applicable federal regulatory bodies; both individually and in collaboration with other OPA attorneys and consultants. In addition, you will assist in developing policy positions and consumer information for the Office's advocacy before the Maine Legislature and to the public at large.

Requirements

A minimum of four years of experience practicing law.
Applicants must be members of the Maine Bar in good standing or capable of being admitted within a reasonable time.
Knowledge of PUC regulations
Knowledge of Federal/State laws and rules regarding utility regulations
Knowledge of legal concepts and practices, court procedures, and rules of civil procedure and evidence
Ability to compose, review, and edit complex and/or technical legal correspondence
Ability to perform legal research and analysis, to prepare written legal briefs, motions, responses, and memoranda, to present oral arguments, and to make recommendations on policy
Skilled trial attorney and negotiator with extensive knowledge of public utilities accounting and economics
Good interpersonal skills for dealing with the public and press
Demonstrated ability to function effectively as part of a team; and have strong legal advocacy, research, and writing skills.
Good organizational and time management skills are essential.

Nice To Haves

Previous experience with state or federal utility regulation.
Experience in litigation, practicing state or federal administrative law, or with professional experience or education in the fields of accounting, finance, engineering or economics

Responsibilities

Represents the Public Advocate in contested cases before the Public Utilities Commission; analyzes requests from utilities and the public for Commission action.
Coordinates the work of staff members and outside consultants employed as expert witnesses; acts as trial attorney in Commission hearings, including preparing and filing testimony, presenting direct evidence, cross-examining witnesses, making oral argument on issues of fact, law, procedure; and researches and writes briefs and exceptions to examiners' reports.
Initiates complaints against utilities on behalf of consumers, as necessary, in cases of broad public impact.
Represents the Public Advocate in negotiating settlement in Commission cases; analyzes requests from consumers and utilities for Commission action; formulates and prepares positions on the issues, with assistance from other professional staff and expert consultants; participates in negotiations with utility attorneys, PUC staff attorneys and intervenor attorneys in resolving issues to avoid litigation.
Represents the Public Advocate through appellate briefs and oral argument before the Supreme Judicial Court in appellate cases evolving from Commission orders or other action in which the Commission has an interest.
Interprets federal and state law as it affects utility operations and activities, and advises the Public Advocate, Governor and others thereof.
Informs the press of Public Advocate policy and utility matters in general.
Meets with consumer groups, members of Governor's staff, members of other state agencies (particularly the Governor's Office of Energy) to develop and formulate positions on continuing utility issues.
Drafts legislation and makes oral and written statements of the Public Advocate's position before appropriate Legislative Committees.
Research, drafts and comments on rules for the Commission; reviews and analyzes written and oral comments on proposed rules submitted by utilities and the public.

Benefits

13 paid holidays
12 days of sick leave
3+ weeks of vacation leave annually
Health Insurance Coverage – The State of Maine pays 85%-100% of employee-only premiums
Health Insurance Premium Credit – Participation decreases employee-only premiums by 5%
Dental Insurance – The State of Maine pays 100% of employee-only dental premiums
Retirement Plan – The State of Maine contributes 18.91% of pay to the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS), on behalf of the employee.
Gym Membership Reimbursement – up to $40 per month
Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness
Living Resources Program – employee assistance program
Parental leave – forty-two (42) consecutive calendar days of fully paid parental leave for all employees who are welcoming a child—including fathers and adoptive parents
Voluntary Deferred Compensation – MaineSaves 457(b) account