Senior Counsel - FERC

Duke Energy Corporation; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 170,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

Duke Energy Corporation in Washington, DC seeks an experienced Senior Counsel to lead regulatory work before FERC related to PJM and MISO. You will provide strategic guidance, manage complex dockets, and coordinate with internal teams and outside counsel to advance regulatory objectives.

The role requires a JD, U.S. bar admission, and several years of experience in wholesale electricity markets, with strong advocacy and writing skills and the ability to work across regulatory and technical teams.

Qualifications

• JD from an accredited law school and bar admission in the U.S.
• Minimum three years of relevant legal experience in FERC or wholesale electricity markets.
• Experience with PJM and/or MISO preferred; strong regulatory and litigation background.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal counsel on FERC proceedings affecting PJM and MISO, including filings and settlements.
• Lead and manage FERC dockets, pleadings, strategy, and coordination with outside counsel.
• Advise on tariff and market rule changes, regional planning, and cost allocation.

Skills

Legal research

Oral advocacy

Written advocacy

Negotiation

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Bar admission in the U.S.

Job description

More than a career - a chance to make a difference in people's lives.

Build an exciting, rewarding career with us - help us make a difference for millions of people every day. Consider joining the Duke Energy team, where you'll find a friendly work environment, opportunities for growth and development, recognition for your work, and competitive pay and benefits.

* * * The preferred work location is Washington, DC, but Charlotte, NC or Raleigh, NC may be considered based on business needs * * *

Position Summary

Experienced and knowledgeable attorney with in-depth expertise in federal energy regulatory matters, with a focus on Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) proceedings impacting PJM Interconnection, L.L.C. (PJM) and Midcontinent Independent System Operator, Inc. (MISO). This role provides legal advice and strategic counsel on RTO/ISO market rules, transmission planning and cost allocation, interconnection, rate filings, and compliance matters, and supports the Company's participation in stakeholder processes and contested FERC litigation. The Senior Counsel will be responsible for providing legal guidance requiring independent judgment and frequent client contact, partnering closely with Regulatory Affairs, Policy, Transmission, Generation, and commercial teams, and coordinating with outside counsel and industry coalitions as needed. The position requires excellent judgment, strong written and oral advocacy skills, and the ability to manage multiple complex, time-sensitive matters.

Senior Counsel - An attorney with significant experience and maturity who works under the direction of a Deputy General Counsel on defined legal problems or legal problems lacking clear precedent which require the application of specialized expertise. The position supports regulatory compliance, advocacy, and risk management across the company's electric utility operations and works closely with business leaders to advance enterprise objectives in a highly regulated environment. Works on non-routine matters which require a broad and thorough understanding of the Company's business and industry. Handles contracts, regulatory filings, appellate activity, and other commercial documents which allows the Company to operate efficiently within the boundaries of the law.

• Perform complex assignments, using legal research, analytical and writing skills
• Provide legal advice to management regarding matters of some complexity which may have a material dollar impact on business operations
• Research legal principles and precedents, consult with outside counsel, draft and execute legal documents, and gather relevant case information using multiple sources and methods

Responsibilities

• Provide legal counsel on matters before FERC affecting the Company's interests in PJM and MISO, including Section 205 filings, Section 206 complaints, compliance filings, technical conferences, and related settlement negotiations.
• Lead and manage assigned FERC dockets and related appellate matters (as applicable), including drafting and reviewing pleadings and comments, developing evidentiary and legal strategy, coordinating internal reviews, and directing outside counsel.
• Advise business clients on PJM and MISO tariff and market rule changes impacting transmission owners and affiliates, including transmission planning and cost allocation, interconnection reforms, generator deliverability/queue processes, resource adequacy, and market design initiatives.
• Partner with Regulatory Affairs, Policy, and technical teams to develop strategy on major transmission and market initiatives (e.g., regional transmission planning, cost allocation, large load integration, and interregional coordination between PJM and MISO).
• Provide proactive risk assessment and actionable recommendations on regulatory developments, including monitoring RTO/ISO tariff revisions, FERC orders and initiatives, notices of proposed rulemaking, policy statements, court decisions affecting PJM/MISO and the Company's strategy, and other relevant federal and state developments that interact with wholesale markets
• Coordinate with internal and external stakeholders (including industry coalitions, transmission owners, and trade associations) on joint filings and advocacy positions, and support executive-level engagement where matters have significant economic, policy, or reputational implications.
• Draft, review, and negotiate agreements and other documents supporting PJM/MISO-related activities (e.g., transmission funding/cost recovery arrangements, coordination agreements, interconnection agreements, confidentiality/common-interest arrangements) in collaboration with business teams and other counsel.
• Support responses to data requests, audits, and transmission formula rate annual updates, ensure accurate and timely compliance filings, and help maintain effective internal controls and recordkeeping for FERC-jurisdictional matters.
• Develop strong working relationships across the Company and serve as a trusted legal advisor to drive timely, practical solutions on complex regulatory issues.
• Lead and/or serve on cross-functional teams, committees, special projects, and other assignments as directed to further departmental and business goals, including initiatives affecting PJM and MISO.
• Maintain in-depth knowledge of the electric industry and emerging issues (e.g., large load integration, reliability, transmission expansion, and energy transition).

Required/Basic Qualifications

Senior Counsel

• Doctor of Jurisprudence degree (JD) from an accredited law school
• Minimum of three (3) years of relevant legal experience, including experience with FERC or wholesale electricity market matters (PJM and/or MISO experience strongly preferred).
• Licensed to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction and in good standing.

Desired Qualifications

• Substantial experience advising on matters before FERC, including drafting and reviewing pleadings, comments, protests, interventions, and settlement documents.

• Experience with PJM and/or MISO tariff provisions, stakeholder processes, and governance structures.

• Experience with transmission planning and cost allocation, including regional transmission planning processes and interregional coordination.

• Experience with generator and load interconnection policy and procedures (including queue reform concepts) and related transmission service issues.

• Experience with wholesale market design issues (e.g., resource adequacy, capacity constructs, congestion/market efficiency concepts) and the interaction between state policies and wholesale markets.

• Experience with transmission and wholesale rate design, including formula rates and cost-of-service ratemaking

• Litigation and oral advocacy experience, including participation in contested administrative proceedings and/or federal appellate matters.

• Excellent legal research and writing skills; ability to translate complex technical concepts into clear, persuasive legal and business recommendations.

• Strong judgment, initiative, decision-making, and ability to manage multiple complex matters simultaneously under tight deadlines.

• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively across legal, regulatory, and technical teams, and to build productive relationships with internal clients and external stakeholders.

• Proven communication and interpersonal skills with client-service orientation, self-motivated with a strong work ethic, capable of working independently and collaboratively within a team.

• Adaptability to evolving needs and best practices

Working Conditions

• Preferred work location is Washington, DC (or another approved hub location supporting federal regulatory work), with the ability to attend meetings at FERC and other stakeholder meetings as needed.
• Ability to travel periodically for stakeholder meetings, hearings, and internal client meetings (as business needs require).
• Hybrid - Work will be performed from both remote and onsite locations. It is expected that the employee will average at least 3 days per week in office (or as otherwise required by the business) and are required to live within a 50-mile radius of the stated work location.

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Travel Requirements

5-15%

Relocation Assistance Provided (as applicable)

No

Represented/Union Position

No

Visa Sponsored Position

No. This is not a Visa Sponsored Position. This role requires the ability to work lawfully in the U.S. without employment-based immigration sponsorship, now or in the future.

Please note that in order to be considered for this position, you must possess all of the basic/required qualifications.