Counsel (IL, IA, MO)

American Water; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

American Water seeks an experienced in-house Counsel to support the Illinois, Iowa, and Missouri leadership teams on real estate, contracts, litigation, environmental and regulatory matters. The role involves advising executives, managing internal client needs, and guiding outside counsel for cost efficiency.

The successful candidate will have a JD, admission to one of the state bars (IA/IL/MO), and a minimum of five years' relevant experience, with strong business acumen and collaboration

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor from an accredited law school.
• Minimum 5 years of in-depth experience across real estate, contracts, litigation, environmental law, public utility law, or administrative law.
• Preference for experience before state utility commissions or with regulated utilities.

Responsibilities

• Provide proactive legal counsel to executives, senior managers and employees on legal matters affecting the business.
• Meet internal clients’ legal needs across designated states (IL, IA, MO).
• Contribute to cost-control and efficiency of outside counsel services.
• Serve as a member of the Missouri, Illinois and Iowa Legal Team.
• Support the Senior Director Corporate Counsel and VP/GC in building the legal team.
• Provide timely, practical legal advice and defend business interests.
• Foster open communication, knowledge sharing, and cross-functional collaboration.

Skills

Real estate law

Contracts

Litigation

Environmental law

Public utility law

Administrative law

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

State bar admission (Iowa, Illinois or Missouri)

Job description

Job Description

Job Title: Counsel (IL, IA, MO)
Posting Start Date: 6/23/26
Job Description:

Primary Role

To provide legal counsel and representation to the Iowa, Illinois and Missouri state leadership teams in a variety of areas, including real estate (purchase and sale, easements, rights of way, etc), contracts, litigation, customer complaints, environmental law, and day-to-day operational issues as they arise

Key Accountabilities

• Provide advice and counsel on a pro-active basis to executives, senior managers and employees in respect to legal issues affecting the business.
• Meet internal customers’ legal needs.
• Assist in the maximization of quality, cost-control and efficiency of acquired outside legal services
• Serve as a member of the Missouri, Illinois and Iowa Legal Team
• Support the states’ Senior Director Corporate Counsel and the Vice President and General Counsel in building the capabilities of the legal team.
• Be a source of high caliber legal resources for the business.
• Contribute to effective communication by listening and providing constructive feedback.
• Participate in and support an open and honest work environment.
• Cascade and share knowledge and information relevant to other members of the team and colleagues across the business.
• Perform other projects as assigned.

Knowledge/Skills

• Expertise in practice areas relevant to the business, such as real estate, contracts, litigation, environmental, public utility law, and administrative law.

Experience/Education

• Juris Doctor from an accredited law school.
• Minimum 5 years of in-depth experience in several of the legal areas listed above obtained with a law firm or combination of firm and in-house experience.
• Preference will be given to candidates with experience appearing before state utility commissions, whether in private practice or in-house, including experience working for a regulated utility.
• Experience effectively handling a variety of matters displaying strong business acumen
• Proven ability to successfully support the business and legal needs of clients
• Experience in providing timely and effective practical legal advice and services
• Able to effectively spot legal issues and determine practical, workable options for resolving them
• Results-focused experience, has worked in fast-paced, deadline-oriented environment
• Detail-oriented and able to effectively provide client-oriented service while protecting the organization

Certifications & Licenses:

• Member of the Iowa, Illinois or Missour state bars.

Travel Requirements

• Occasional travel, primarily in Iowa, Illinois, and Missouri

Other

• Able to handle a variety of ongoing projects simultaneously
• Able to work effectively with minimal supervision
• Excellent judgment in determining when and how to elevate matters
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Strong interpersonal and negotiation skills
• Self-starter, takes initiative to respond to and address legal issues
• Functions effectively both in individual and team environments
• Able to work collaboratively with strong interpersonal skills

Competencies

• Champions safety
• Customer obsessed
• Cultivates innovation
• Nimble learning
• Drives Results