Corporate Counsel - Litigation

Internal Revenue Service; Tennessee; Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading gas utility company is seeking a Corporate Counsel to manage litigation and provide legal advisement within a collaborative environment. The ideal candidate will possess strong litigation skills and a Juris Doctor degree, with 3–8 years of relevant experience in legal matters. This position offers a competitive salary, with benefits designed to support an effective work-life balance.

Benefits

Competitive pay

Medical, dental, and vision benefits

Flexibility and choice in benefits

Qualifications

• JD from an accredited law school.
• Licensed to practice law in good standing.
• 3–8 years relevant legal experience.

Responsibilities

• Handle litigation, disputes, and related matters.
• Advise internal stakeholders on potential disputes.
• Manage litigation budgets and drive cost control.

Skills

Litigation skills

Dispute resolution

Analytical skills

Problem-solving capabilities

Communication skills

Time management skills

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Job description

Join our Growing Team and see why Summit Utilities, Inc was named as one of the Fastest Growing Denver Area Private Companies 2019 and 2020; Best Places to Work in Maine 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023; and Best Places to Work in Arkansas 2020 and 2023, Oklahoma 2022 and 2023 and Missouri 2023. Summit was also recently named one of Forbes 2023 America’s Best Small Employers.

Summit is a growing natural gas utility company providing safe, reliable and clean burning natural gas service to homes and businesses in Arkansas, Colorado, Maine, Missouri and Oklahoma. Being part of the Summit team means embracing excellence, diversity and innovation, committing to safety each and every day, and doing all that we can to serve each other, our customers and the communities where we live. We aim to bring warmth and energy to everything we do.

We have an exciting opportunity for a hybrid or onsite Corporate Counsel based in one of our offices in Little Rock, Fort Smith, or Fayetteville Arkansas. We will also consider remote candidates who reside in Texas.

POSITION SUMMARY

Summit’s Legal Department is seeking an experienced attorney with litigation and dispute resolution expertise to join our team. This position is is responsible for advising on legal risk and managing litigation, disputed, claims , and related matters across the organization. This role is ideal for an attorney who thrives in a fast paced environment and enjoys working across a broad spectrum of legal issues on a daily basis.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Handle litigation, disputes, and related matters across the organization, including commercial, personal injury, property damage, labor and employment, and real property claims
• Coordinate with external counsel, including managing assignments, monitoring fees, and ensuring budget compliance
• Advise internal stakeholders on potential and pending disputes; help identify lessons learned and mitigate future litigation risk
• Prepare risk assessments and propose resolution strategies
• Oversee litigation budgets and drive cost control
• Support discovery processes, including eDiscovery and legal holds
• Provide counsel on labor and employment-related matters
• Manage insurer notifications and related claims communications
• Identify and implement improvements to legal processes
• Prepare litigation-related reports, including those requested by company auditors
• Build strong cross-functional relationships with internal teams
• Develop a solid understanding of the company’s business and operations
• Perform other duties as assigned

EDUCATION AND WORK EXPERIENCE

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school
• Licensed to practice law and in good standing in at least one U.S. state
• 3–8 years of relevant legal experience, including:
  • Litigation, dispute resolution, and claims management (e.g., commercial, personal injury, property damage, and employment matters)
  • Complex discovery and eDiscovery, including platform and vendor management
  • In-house experience is a plus, but not required
  • Familiarity with real estate law and/or utility regulation is helpful, but not required

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES

• Strong litigation and dispute resolution skills
• Business-minded approach with practical, solution-oriented thinking
• Ability to influence outcomes through legal insight and strategic guidance
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills across all levels
• High emotional intelligence and a collaborative mindset
• Strong time management skills; ability to handle multiple priorities in a fast-paced setting
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities
• Eagerness to learn the business and grow legal knowledge
• Comfortable working both independently and as part of a geographically dispersed team
• Willingness to travel as needed to support effective collaboration

Summit offers competitive pay and medical/dental/vision and other benefits that provide flexibility, choice and support to our employees when they need it most. We understand that home and family are essential pieces of your life, and our benefits are designed to support you both at work and at home.

Summit Utilities, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, status as a protected veteran, or status as a qualified individual with disability.