Chief Regulatory Attorney

NACBA; Des Moines (IA); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

MidAmerican Energy Company in Des Moines, IA seeks a Lead Regulatory Attorney with deep expertise in state and federal regulatory law to guide the company’s legal strategy across operations. You will provide counsel to major business units, supervise a legal staff, and handle regulatory matters before the FERC and state commissions while coordinating with outside counsel to advance regulatory goals.

Excellent communication and leadership, plus a JD with bar admission and 10+ years of relevant

Qualifications

• Juris Doctorate degree and bar admission in one or more states.
• At least ten years of law firm experience.
• Deep knowledge of federal, state, and local regulatory issues.
• Strong management and staff oversight experience.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead regulatory attorney with expertise in state and federal regulatory law and policy.
• Provide legal counsel to major operational units.
• Represent the company in court, formal hearings, and regulatory hearings.
• Manage outside counsel and coordinate with staff attorneys.
• Draft and negotiate agreements and provide counseling on compliance and risk management.

Skills

Regulatory law experience

Leadership

Policy analysis

Risk management

Communication

Education

Juris Doctorate

Bar admission in one or more states

Job description

Lead regulatory attorney with expertise in state and federal regulatory law and policy, along with other areas generally spanning across the company. Provide legal counsel and direction to various major operational units, while specifically supporting regulatory matters before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and state regulatory commissions. Manages and guides legal staff as appropriate. Handles and oversees the most complex legal matters and projects associated with the company’s strategic and regulatory goals. Represents the company in court, formal hearings, and regulatory hearings. Manages outside counsel. Provides guidance and training to staff attorneys and support staff.

Responsibilities

• Lead regulatory attorney with expertise in state and federal regulatory law and policy, and multiple specialized areas.
• Ensure appropriate application of all laws and regulations related to MidAmerican’s corporate and operational activities and transactions.
• Assess and mitigate legal risks of company activities and advise management and other company personnel on legal and strategic matters.
• Participate in contract negotiation and ensure compliance with contract terms.
• Establish policies and procedures consistent with established legal principles and requirements.
• Monitor and maintain current knowledge of industry trends in legal and compliance matters relating to the energy industries and pursue ongoing professional development to maintain current knowledge on best practices.
• Provide legal counsel and direction within major operational units.
• Plan, manage, coordinate and directly handle complex legal and regulatory matters and projects across all applicable jurisdictions, including but not limited to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and state regulatory law and policy.
• Represent the company in court, formal hearings, and regulatory hearings.
• Consult with and manage outside legal counsel and provide guidance and training to staff attorneys and support staff.
• Draft and negotiate agreements and counseling on compliance, litigation, intellectual-property, and risk-management issues.
• Manage and guide legal staff as needed.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited law school and successful completion of bar exam in one or more states in which the company conducts business; Iowa license within one year of hire.
• A minimum of ten years’ previous law firm experience.
• Demonstrated in-depth experience and knowledge with legal and regulatory issues.
• Familiarity with the political and legal implications of decisions made by the company.
• Management skills including the ability to negotiate with and influence peers and senior officers on policy and strategic issues.
• Communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to manage and motivate employees.
• Use oral and written communication to create a vision, communicate strategy, and effectively interface with other company leaders.
• Knowledge of the company’s strategic plan, regulatory and political environment, policies, procedures, and practices.
• Expertise in applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations.
• Employees must be able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without an accommodation.

About Us

MidAmerican Energy Company, a Midwest utility, provides regulated electric and natural gas service to more than 1.6 million customers in Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota. The company owns and operates a portfolio of power-generating assets, approximately 61% of which is wind generation.

About the Team

MidAmerican Energy Company is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion or religious creed, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status (except as required by law), gender (including gender identity and expression), sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, genetic information, physical or mental disability, veteran or military status, familial or parental status, marital status or any other category protected by applicable local, state or U.S. federal law. Employees must be able to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without an accommodation.