Associate Attorney I - II

Lansing Board of Water & Light; Lansing (MI); On-site; USD 107,000 - 132,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive wages

On-site fitness/benefits

Parking on site

Retirement plan

Paid holidays

Job summary

The Lansing Board of Water & Light (BWL) is seeking an entry-level Associate Attorney I/II to prosecute and defend civil lawsuits, draft transactional documents, and provide legal advice to employer and utility staff. Responsibilities include researching statutes, preparing briefs, and handling a variety of legal tasks under supervision of General Counsel or Deputy General Counsel.

Starting salary range is $107,000.00 – $131,700.00 with examples for Associate Attorney II at $104,400 – $128,500.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school.
• Must be member in good standing of the Michigan State Bar.
• General knowledge of municipal law, utility law and administrative law.
• Must possess and apply a broad knowledge of legal matters and the law to the completion of assignments.
• Strong writing and interpersonal skills, as well as the ability to multitask under tight time constraints.
• Must be proficient in the use of Microsoft Word.
• Experience conducting legal and computer-assisted legal research.

Responsibilities

• Advise employer concerning legality and liability of business transactions, claims, and other legal rights and obligations.
• Conduct witness interviews and investigations.
• Evaluate findings, recommend strategy, and prepare legal arguments.
• Represents employer in court or before governmental agencies.
• Prepare opinions on legal compliance and draft legal documents.

Education

Juris Doctorate (JD) from an accredited law school

Bar admission: Michigan State Bar in good standing

Job description

Thank you for your interest in the BWL. We think you'll find it a rewarding and nurturing place to grow your career.

Starting Salary Range: $107,000.00 - $131,700.00

Associate Attorney I: $68,600 - $81,600

Associate Attorney II: $104,400 - $128,500

Position Summary

This is an entry level position. Prosecutes and defends civil lawsuits, drafts and negotiates transactional legal documents, provides written and oral advice to employer and utility staff as to legal rights and issues. Reviews policies and other documents. Performs legal research on various subject matters.

Essential Functions

• Advises employer concerning the legality and liability associated with business transactions, claim liability, advisability of prosecuting or defending lawsuits, and other legal rights and obligations.
• Conducts witness interviews and investigations.
• Evaluates findings, recommends strategy, and prepares legal arguments.
• Keeps updated on statutes, judicial decisions, regulations, and ordinances.
• Conducts all work under the supervision of the General Counsel or Deputy General Counsel.
• Interprets laws, rulings, and regulations.
• Prepares, files, and argues legal motions and briefs.
• Prepares and drafts legal documents, such as deeds, easements, leases, and contracts.
• Prepares opinions on legal compliance.
• Represents employer in court, quasi-judicial bodies, or before governmental agencies.
• Drafts corporate policy documents.
• Advises employer and internal clients.
• Performs multiple tasks efficiently as to meet deadlines.
• Other duties as assigned by supervisor.
• Expected to comply with all BWL policies and work rules.
• Reliable and predictable attendance.

Job Specifications

• Bachelor's degree and Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school.
• Must be member in good standing of the Michigan State Bar.
• General knowledge of municipal law, utility law and administrative law.
• Must possess and apply a broad knowledge of legal matters and the law to the completion of assignments.
• Knowledge and ability to prepare and file motions, briefs, and memoranda, as well as appear in court on behalf of employer.
• Strong writing and interpersonal skills, as well as the ability to multitask under tight time constraints.
• Must be proficient in the use of Microsoft Word.
• Fundamental Legal Writing Skills
• Experience conducting legal and computer-assisted legal research.
• Outstanding interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate effectively at all organizational levels.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to exercise exceptional discretion and confidentiality.
• Ability to enter and retrieve data from computerized, typed, and written sources.
• Ability to interact with governmental agencies.

Preferred

• Prior experience practicing law.
• Familiarity with laws, statutes, regulations, and ordinances governing public entities.
• Prior experience in areas of law relevant to energy, government or business (e.g., administrative, employment, or environmental law).

Additional Responsibilities & Requirements

Associate Attorney II: Starting Salary $104,400 - 128,500

In addition to this level: This is an intermediate level position requiring prior experience and the ability to perform duties and responsibilities of the position with a moderate level of supervision and oversight. Represents employer in court or before quasi-judicial tribunals or administrative agencies of government.

Essential Functions

• Coordinates, as needed, under supervision of the General Counsel or Deputy General Counsel.

Required

• This intermediate level position requires a minimum of four years of post-bar admission legal experience.
• Experience in areas of law relevant to energy, government, or business, e.g. administrative, employment or environmental law.
• Increasing ability to operate independently of supervision; demonstrated expertise in one or more areas of law (e.g. employment, contract, litigation); manage all the tasks within that area of expertise. Must possess and apply a broad knowledge of legal matters and the law to the completion of assignments.
• Knowledge and ability to prepare and file motions, briefs, and memoranda, as well as appear in court on behalf of employer.
• Strong writing and interpersonal skills, as well as the ability to multitask under tight time constraints.
• Experience conducting legal and computer- assisted legal research.
• Additional requirements as listed on the full description.

Physical Requirements / Working Conditions

Must be able to remain in a stationary position for the majority of the working day. The person in this position needs to move about inside the office environment. Constantly operates a computer and other office equipment. Ability to adjust focus, especially due to concentration on a computer screen. Must communicate frequently with other departments and employees both verbally and in writing. May need to lift and carry up to 30 pounds and/or position the body to reach items on the floor/ below the knee level or reach above head. On occasion, may need to use stairs. Constantly works in a temperature-controlled office environment.

Why Should You Apply?

Competitive wages, employee development, and opportunity for professional growth.

Robust time off benefits including vacation, free choice, sick leave, parental leave and 11 paid holidays.

Comprehensive benefits package offered including medical, prescription, dental, life insurance, long-term disability, employee assistance program.

Voluntary benefits including vision, supplemental and dependent life insurance, flexible spending, AFLAC options, LifeLock anti-theft, long term care, tuition reimbursement, and BWL's Home Purchase Plan – Forgivable $5,000 loan for purchase of a home in Lansing.

Retirement programs including 401(a) Defined Contribution Plan (DC) (100% company paid up to 9.5 % of base salary for BU positions and up to 13% of base salary for NBU positions), 457 Deferred Compensation matches up to $2,500 per year.

Post retirement benefits offered at the respective level of coverage, co-pays and health care premium, at the same level as active employees.

Two fitness centers located on site open 24/7, work life balance program, employee assistance program, free parking and much more!

About BWL

The Board of Water & Light serves Lansing, Michigan, and surrounding areas with electricity, water, and steam. Lansing's city charter vests the BWL with full and exclusive management of water, steam, and electric services for or the city. The American Public Power Association has honored the Lansing Board of Water & Light as one of the country's best publicly-owned utilities.

The Location

Lansing lies at the heart of the Great Lakes State and offers all the beauty and splendor of the four seasons. A haven for swimming, boating, fishing, snowmobiling, golf, and hunting, mid-Michigan is also just a couple hours from premier skiing and one of the most beautiful freshwater lakeshores in the world on our Lake Michigan Coast. Lansing itself is only minutes and miles away from two of the nation’s premier universities, Michigan State University and the University of Michigan, and boasts miles of walking, running, biking trails, Potter Park Zoo, professional sports, the arts, and fine dining.

THE BOARD OF WATER & LIGHT IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER