Attorney – Legal

Public Utility Commission of Texas; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 70,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The Public Utility Commission of Texas is seeking entry level to moderately complex professional attorneys to work on electric, telecommunications, and water/sewer utility regulation. The role involves practicing administrative law, representing staff in contested cases at the Commission and SOAH, with supervision and opportunities to lead complex dockets.

Responsibilities include research, drafting pleadings, coordinating expert testimony, negotiations, and presenting oral arguments.

Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited law school with JD or LLB.
• Active Texas State Bar license and eligibility to practice law in Texas.
• Attorney II requires at least two years of licensed attorney experience.
• Attorney III requires at least three years of licensed attorney experience, preferably in utility regulation or administrative law.

Responsibilities

• Represent the public interest in contested cases before the Commission and SOAH.
• Conduct legal research and analysis in support of agency cases and regulatory matters.
• Prepare pleadings and other documents for contested cases and admin proceedings.
• Coordinate development and presentation of recommendations and testimony from technical experts.
• Participate in settlement negotiations on behalf of Commission staff.
• Assist in hearings, including cross-examination and redirect of experts under supervision.
• Deliver oral arguments in formal proceedings with guidance.
• Contribute to rulemaking proceedings and development of reports for Commission and Legislature.
• Respond to public inquiries within established guidelines and support training content.

Skills

Legal research

Administrative law

Regulatory matters

Hearing representation

Oral arguments

Settlement negotiations

Pleadings drafting

Education

JD or LLB degree

Licensed to practice law in Texas

Attorney II: 2+ years licensed experience

Attorney III: 3+ years licensed experience; utility/regulatory experience preferred

Job description

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Perform entry level to moderately complex professional legal related to electric, telecommunications, and water

and sewer utility regulation. Primary duties involve the practice of administrative law, including representing the

Commission staff in contested cases at the Commission and the State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH).

Work under close to general supervision with minimal to moderate latitude for the use of initiative and

independent judgment.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Represent the public interest by advocating Commission staff’s positions in contested cases at the Commission and SOAH.
• Conduct legal research and analysis in support of agency cases and regulatory matters.
• Prepare pleadings and other legal documents related to contested cases and administrative proceedings.
• Coordinate the development and presentation of recommendations and testimony Commission staff’s technical experts.
• Participate in settlement negotiations on behalf of Commission staff under supervision.
• Participate in hearings by representing Commission staff, including assisting with cross-examination and redirect of expert witnesses under supervision.
• Present oral arguments in support of Commission staff’s positions, with appropriate guidance and supervision.
• May participate in arbitration proceedings under the Federal Telecommunications Act with appropriate guidance and supervision.
• Assist in the legal review and drafting involved in rulemaking proceedings.
• Contribute to the preparation of legal sections in reports submitted to the Commission and Legislature.
• Respond to public inquiries about legal and procedural matters within established guidelines.
• Assist in developing and delivering legal content for training events, as assigned.
• Attend work regularly and observe approved work hours in accordance with agency leave and attendance policies.
• Demonstrate a spirit of teamwork, offering positive and constructive ideas, encouragement, support to other members of the staff and team, and respond professionally to constructive feedback from others, while upholding the PUC’s mission and core values.
• Adhere to all PUC personnel policies and division procedures and perform other work as assigned.

ATTORNEY II ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Along with the essential functions outlined above, the Attorney II is also responsible for the following additional duties:

• Assist in preparation of a contested case hearing by shadowing a lead or 1st chair attorney responsible for witness testimony and prep of PUC SME or by serving as 2nd chair in less complex CCH.
• Assist with drafting portion of briefing. ATTY II would not be solely responsible for the assignment but assists the attorney assigned to briefing by researching or drafting one issue from preliminary order issues.
• Coordinate with attorneys and paralegal on preparing exhibit lists and other SOAH preparation.
• Review and assist in preparing full trial notebook for a contested case hearing.ATTORNEY III ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

ATTORNEY III ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Along with the essential functions outlined above, the Attorney III is also responsible for the following additional duties:

• Independently manage a witness in a contested case hearing, including understanding and preparing Commission staff (PUCT SME) direct testimony and preparing cross-examination of opposing experts.
• Lead complex dockets requiring coordination among multiple attorneys, managing all phases from pleadings to settlement and hearing.
• Conduct advanced legal research and analysis to support litigation, policy, and regulatory activities.
• Draft complex pleadings, motions, and legal memoranda for contested cases and administrative proceedings.
• Oversee the development and presentation of Commission technical expert testimony, ensuring legal and procedural accuracy.
• Represent Commission staff in high-level settlement negotiations and strategy discussions.
• Represent Commission staff in hearings, including conducting complex cross-examination of expert witnesses and redirect of Commission experts.
• Deliver oral arguments on complex legal or policy issues in formal proceedings.
• Participate in arbitration proceedings under the Federal Telecommunications Act, representing Commission interests with minimal oversight.
• Contribute to and, when appropriate, lead legal components of rulemaking proceedings.
• Assist in the preparation of reports to the Commission and Legislature, ensuring accuracy and legal soundness.
• Collaborate with PUCT SMEs to refine testimony and develop questions for cross-examination of Applicant or Intervenor experts.
• Mentor and support junior attorneys on both routine and complex dockets through guidance, review, and knowledge sharing.
• Respond to inquiries from stakeholders or the public, providing accurate and legally sound information in accordance with agency policy.
• Deliver training presentations and provide legal instruction in internal and external settings as needed.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Attorney I: Graduation from an accredited law school with LLB or JD degree and licensed with the State Bar of Texas and eligible to practice law in Texas.
• Attorney II: Graduation from an accredited law school with LLB or JD degree; licensed with the State Bar of Texas and eligible to practice law in Texas; and a minimum of two (2) years legal work experience as a licensed attorney.
• Attorney III: Graduation from an accredited law school with LLB or JD degree and licensed with the State Bar of Texas; eligible to practice law in Texas; and a minimum of three (3) years legal work experience as a licensed attorney, preferably in utility regulation or administrative law.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Internship experience relating to electric, telecommunications, or water and sewer utilities or with a regulatory state agency.
• Administrative law or litigation experience