Assistant General Counsel

Cielo Talent; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

Cielo Talent is seeking an Assistant General Counsel (Director level) for a Fortune 500 client, based in Austin, Texas. The role focuses on retail utility regulatory matters, including litigated PUC proceedings, with responsibility for strategic advice, policy development, and high-stakes litigation leadership.

The position requires a JD and 9+ years of experience in regulatory, corporate, or litigation areas, with strong writing, advocacy, and team leadership skills.

Qualifications

• Must have strong regulatory regulatory expertise in utility sectors.
• Excellent legal writing and advocacy skills.
• Experience leading complex regulatory proceedings or major matters.

Responsibilities

• Lead regulatory proceedings and provide complex legal strategies with minimal supervision.
• Advise on policy, compliance, and strategic decisions across business units.
• Supervise junior attorneys and coordinate with external counsel when needed.
• Ensure ethical and professional representation before agencies and courts.

Skills

Regulatory law

Legal writing

Litigation

Policy analysis

Education

Juris Doctor

Job description

On behalf of Cielo's client, a Fortune 500 company and one of the largest power generator companies operating in the USA, we are seeking a Assistant General Counsel (Director level), based in Austin, Texas.

Job Summary/Purpose

Responsible for providing high quality and professional legal advice and representation on retail utility regulatory matters, including litigated proceedings the Public Utility Commission of Texas. These responsibilities include performing legal functions and providing legal advice that will assist others in formulating key policies, deciding courses of action, and understanding applicable rules, systems, and processes in strategically important areas. Anticipates issues, develops effective ways of resolving them, and to the extent appropriate provides continued legal counsel through implementation. Able to lead complex regulatory proceedings, including litigation, with minimal supervision. Proactively and effectively uses contacts and resources as necessary to accomplish goals. Functions effectively within the larger Company.

Job Duties/Responsibilities

• Responsible for handling routine tasks without supervision and solving difficult problems with minimal supervision. Responsible for applying legal principles and knowledge to analyzing business and financial transactions, litigation and related legal documents and evaluating compliance with regulatory requirements. Possesses superior analytical, legal writing, and advocacy skills. Provides ethical and professional legal representation before regulatory agencies and courts of law.
• Must demonstrate in-depth expertise of applicable regulatory and compliance regulations and utilize this knowledge to anticipate issues and advise company personnel on developing effective legal or other strategies to resolve them. With only general guidance from supervisors, responsible for doing the following very well: analyzing key issues, organizing thoughts, advocating and presenting legal points; drafting all documents, negotiating necessary matters, and/or performing other assigned job functions; and as applicable, managing varied docket and possessing significant first chair trial and appellate experience - or - with respect to non-litigation matters, significant experience as lead lawyer on major matters. As appropriate, responsible for managing outside counsel effectively and efficiently. Able not only to manage the work of outside lawyers but also to perform high quality legal work without the involvement of outside counsel.
• Must view the challenge of supporting other organizations as an opportunity to develop new skills or gain proficiency.
• Responsible for effectively supervising paraprofessionals and administrative staff and managing other attorneys, whether internal or external, including developing the skill sets of less experienced professionals. Must demonstrate interest in developing management skills. Responsible for functioning as a strong team player and demonstrating ability to lead project teams to successful resolution. Responsible for practicing focused listening and respectful interaction with others.
• Responsible for delivering difficult or controversial messages to a wide variety of both supportive and adversarial audiences in a highly skilled manner.
• Works effectively as part of a team and demonstrates agility in working within a large organization. Possesses a strong understanding of roles and responsibilities within a matrixed organization and demonstrates skill in working together as part of a team to address legal and business issues and challenges. Possesses confidence and strong leadership skills, including the ability to lead legal projects and teams of individuals without necessarily having direct supervisory authority. Able to work across multiple business groups to deliver excellent legal work product. Must have strong collaborative skills.

Minimum education required of the position

• A Juris Doctor is required.

Minimum experience required of the position

• 9+ years minimum (12-15 years preferred) in a law firm or in-house in one or more applicable areas of expertise, such as Regulatory (federal and/or state), Corporate/Commercial, Litigation, Labor & Employment, Nuclear, Environmental.

Any certificates, licenses, etc. required of the position