Attorney 1/2/3- Legal

State of Louisiana; Baton Rouge (LA); On-site; USD 63,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

The Louisiana Public Service Commission seeks a Staff Attorney to join the Office of Executive Counsel/Legal Division. You will act as lead attorney in docketed proceedings, protecting ratepayers' interests while balancing utilities, and work with the Deputy General Counsel on complex regulatory matters.

Candidates must hold a current Louisiana license to practice law and have working knowledge of federal and state utility laws, rules, and regulations.

Qualifications

• Possession of a current Louisiana license to practice law.
• Working knowledge of federal and state utility laws, rules, and regulations.
• Experience representing a public agency or regulatory body is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Acts as lead attorney in all docketed proceedings pending before the Commission.
• Identifies issues, develops strategies, and determines the Commission Staff's position on issues.
• Attends meetings, status conferences and hearings and coordinates with experts and outside counsel.
• Drafts and files legal pleadings, discovery requests, responses, and related motions.
• Prepares Orders and briefing materials; renders legal advice to Commissioners.

Skills

Lead attorney in docketed proceedings

Discovery and motions drafting

Legal research and analysis

Oral advocacy and hearings

Education

Louisiana license to practice law

Job description

About This Job

Staff Attorney positions are housed in the Office of Executive Counsel/Legal Division of the Louisiana Public Service Commission. Incumbents assist the Deputy General Counsel in representing the Commission Staff by acting as lead attorneys in matters pending before the Commission and ensuring that the interests of Louisiana utility ratepayers are protected while balancing the interests of regulated utilities. Staff Attorneys shall have working knowledge of federal and state utility laws, rules, and regulations.

Minimum Qualifications

Possession of a current Louisiana license to practice law.

Job Specification

The official job specifications for this role, as defined by the State Civil Service, can be found here.

Job Duties

Job Duties and Other Information

Acts as lead attorney in all docketed proceedings pending before the Commission.

• Identifies issues, develops strategies, and assists in the determination of the Commission Staff's position on issues, and determines the appropriate course of action for Commission Staff to take in the adjudication. Commission Staff can be in-house or outside assistance.
• Attends all meetings, status conferences, hearings, and makes any other appropriate appearances on behalf of the Commission Staff. Works with all parties and the Administrative Hearings Division in developing procedural schedules that comply with all LPSC, Constitutional, and statutory timelines.
• Drafts and issues discovery requests with subject matter experts. Reviews responses to discovery requests. Prepares responses to discovery requests served on Commission Staff. Prepares and defends any appropriate discovery-related motions. May depose, interview and/or cross-examine witnesses.
• Drafts and files all necessary legal pleadings, including all pre-hearing and post-hearing motions and pleadings.

For all matters to which the attorney is assigned (adjudicated, rulemakings, and Staff-level):

• Prepares and presents status reports, upon request, regarding matters pending before the Commission. Renders legal advice and guidance to the Commissioners to assist them in making final decisions. Prepares briefing materials for Commissioners regarding exhibits placed on the Commission’s Business and Executive Session Agenda.
• Coordinates with subject matter experts co-assigned to matters, both other Staff and outside experts, and advises on the laws, regulations and policies applicable to the matter. If outside counsel is assigned, acts as lead attorney to outside counsel.
• Prepares any Orders or draft Orders resulting from actions taken by the Commission and not resulting from an Administrative Hearings Division Recommendation or Ruling.

Additional Duties

• Conducts discovery and investigates regulated utilities regarding the Commission and Commission-related rules and/or regulations regarding alleged violations. Prosecutes violators of such rules and/or regulations. Prepares correspondence to past-due violators, and if necessary, assists Executive Counsel in pursuing all necessary legal means to collect fines and penalties for violations.
• May assist the Executive Counsel in the representation of the Commission in legal proceedings before Louisiana and federal courts on matters appealed to those courts in which the appellant is appealing a decision of the Commission, in matters where the Commission is appealing a decision or rulemaking of a federal agency, or in other matters necessary to protect the interest of the Commission and/or ratepayers. May assist Executive Counsel in representation of the Commission in proceedings before state and federal regulatory bodies in matters affecting the Commissioner or its regulated utilities. May make appearances before state and federal courts or regulatory bodies on behalf of the LPSC.

Position-Specific Details

Appointment Type: Probational and Promotional

Career Progression: This position participates in a Career Progression Group (CPG). This position provides the opportunity to advance within the job series.

Work Schedule: Work hours are 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday-Friday.

Compensation: This position has a Special Entrance Rate (SER) as follows:

• Attorney 1, the SER is $2,426.40 biweekly.
• Attorney 2, the SER is $2,596.00 biweekly.
• Attorney 3, the SER is $2,920.80 biweekly.

Contact Information

For further information about this vacancy, contact:

Sara Simpson

Louisiana Public Service Commission

[e-mail]

Louisiana is a State As a Model Employer (SAME) that supports the recruitment, hiring, and retention of individuals with disabilities.

Louisiana State Government represents a wide variety of career options and offers an outstanding opportunity to make a difference through public service. With an array of career opportunities in every major metropolitan center and in many rural areas, state employment provides an outstanding option to begin or continue your career.

As a State Employee, You Will Earn Competitive Pay, Choose From a Variety Of Benefits, And Have Access To a Great Professional Development Program:

Insurance Coverage More information can be found at https://info.groupbenefits.org/

Parental Leave - Up to six weeks paid parental leave

More information can be found at https://www.civilservice.louisiana.gov/Parental-Leave/Default.aspx

Holidays and Leave - State employees receive the following paid holidays each year:

• New Year's Day
• Martin Luther King, Jr. Day,
• Mardi Gras,
• Good Friday,
• Memorial Day,
• Independence Day,
• Labor Day,
• Veteran's Day,
• Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
• Additional holidays may be proclaimed by the Governor

State employees earn sick and annual leave which can be accumulated and saved for future use. Your accrual rate increases as your years of service increase.

Retirement - State Of Louisiana Employees Are Eligible To Participate In Various Retirement Systems (based On The Type Of Appointment And Agency For Which An Employee Works). These Retirement Systems Provide Retirement Allowances And Other Benefits For State Officers And Employees And Their Beneficiaries. State Retirement Systems May Include (but Are Not Limited To):

• Louisiana State Employees Retirement System (www.lasersonline.org). LASERS has provided this video to give you more detailed information about their system
• Teacher's Retirement System of Louisiana (www.trsl.org),
• Louisiana School Employees Retirement System (www.lsers.net), among others