Assistant General Counsel

Maryland Public Service Commission; Baltimore (MD); On-site; USD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Maryland Public Service Commission seeks a full-time attorney to provide legal and policy advice on regulation across electric, gas, transportation, water, telecom and other utilities, with a primary focus on energy regulation. The Assistant General Counsel will draft Commission orders, analyze complex matters, and litigate cases in state and federal courts.

Candidates must have a J.D., Maryland bar admission, and at least three years of relevant experience, plus excellent writing and advocacy

Qualifications

• Juris Doctorate from an ABA-accredited law school is required.
• Admission to the Maryland Bar is required.
• Valid authorization to work in the U.S. and a valid driver’s license are required.
• At least three years of legal experience; energy regulation preferred.
• Excellent writing, verbal and communications skills are essential.

Responsibilities

• Provide analysis, advice and support to the Commission on matters before it and related state and federal agencies.
• Coordinate with senior advisors and experts in reviewing applications, testimony and pleadings; lead discussions before the Commissioners.

Skills

Legal writing

Oral advocacy

Regulatory law

Energy regulation

Education

Juris Doctorate

Tools

Westlaw

Lexis

Microsoft Word

Job description

The Maryland Public Service Commission’s Office of General Counsel (OGC) seeks a full-time attorney to provide legal and policy advice to the Commission on a wide array of matters related to the regulation of electric, gas, transportation, water, telecommunications and other industries regulated by the Commission. The primary focus of this position will be energy regulation.

About the Commission:

The Commission is a state regulatory agency that oversees public service companies to ensure that their rates, terms, and conditions of service are just, reasonable, and transparent. The Commission acts to protect the safety of the public, ensure efficient and reliable delivery of public utility services, and encourage the conservation of natural resources and environmental preservation. The Commission serves the public interest through a commitment to professionalism, diversity, mutual respect, and ethical conduct.

About the Office of General Counsel:

OGC provides legal advice and assistance to the Commission on questions concerning the jurisdiction, rights, duties and powers of the the Commission in federal and state administrative proceedings, and initiates and defends other legal actions on the Commission’s behalf as needed. OGC works with the Commission’s senior advisors and technical experts to advise the Commission on contested adjudicatory proceedings and rulemakings and to draft Commission orders in those proceedings.

Requirements for Open Position:

Candidates must hold a Juris Doctorate degree from an ABA-accredited law school, and be admitted to the Maryland Bar. Additionally, a valid authorization to work in the U.S. and a valid driver’s license are required. To be eligible for the Assistant General Counsel position, the candidate must have at least three years of legal experience, with prior experience and interest in energy regulation preferred. However, the Commission has found that motivated attorneys with strong writing and oral advocacy skills can learn the technical nature of this job. Irrespective of experience, excellent writing, verbal, and communications skills are required to perform the duties of this position.

Duties of this Position:

• Provide analysis, advice and support to the Commission on matters pending before it and on matters before other State and federal regulatory agencies;
• Coordinate with the Commission’s senior advisors and experts in the review, evaluation and analysis of applications, transactional documents, testimony and pleadings submitted to the Commission and lead discussion before the Commissioners;
• Prepare draft Commission orders that are well-written, thoroughly researched, minimize risk of appeal, and adhere to applicable style manuals;
• Litigate cases in State and federal courts, including advocating persuasively to defend Commission decisions that are challenged on appeal;
• Provide oral and written briefings on matters of interest to the Commission;
• Address customer complaints and Public Information Act requests; and
• Adhere to high standards of professional ethics and applicable rules for handling confidential or other sensitive data.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience and interest in utility regulation or other administrative law matters, including practice before state or federal regulatory utility commissions;
• Trial or appellate litigation experience in state or federal courts, including drafting legal briefs and providing oral arguments;
• Practical knowledge of State personnel law and the State procurement process;
• A background in economics, business, accounting, environmental law or engineering;

and

• Proficiency with legal research tools such as Westlaw and Lexis, and Microsoft Word.

Benefits include paid holidays, vacation/sick/personal days, medical and dental insurance, pension plan, supplemental retirement plans, free mass transit, and participation in the State’s employee credit union, with direct deposit.

Additionally, the Commission offers flexible work schedules.

Further discussion of benefits available to employees of the Executive Branch of Maryland State government is provided here.