Attorney 1/2/3- Legal

PowerLines; Baton Rouge (LA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

Louisiana Public Service Commission is seeking a Staff Attorney to support the Deputy General Counsel in representing the Commission Staff in docketed proceedings. The attorney will help protect Louisiana utility ratepayers' interests while balancing the interests of regulated utilities and apply federal and state utility laws, rules, and regulations.

The role involves leading in hearings, developing strategies, drafting pleadings, handling discovery, and coordinating with experts.

Qualifications

• Possession of a current Louisiana license to practice law.

Responsibilities

• Acts as lead attorney in docketed proceedings before the Commission.
• Identifies issues, develops strategy, and positions for the Commission Staff.
• Attends meetings/hearings and coordinates with parties and Administrative Hearings Division.
• Drafts/discovers responses, files legal pleadings, motions, and briefs.
• Prepares status reports and briefing materials for Commissioners.
• Coordinates with subject matter experts and advises on laws/regulations.
• Prepares Orders and assists outside counsel when applicable.
• Conducts discovery and investigates regulated utilities; pursues penalties for violations.

Education

Louisiana license to practice law

Job description

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 and Other Information

Job Duties:

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 expires 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.