Sr Attorney

Consumers Energy; Jackson (MI); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation packages

Medical, Dental and Vision

401k with company match

Paid parental leave

Up to 13 paid Holidays

Paid time off

Educational Assistance Program

Job summary

Consumers Energy is seeking a Senior Attorney to provide strategic legal counsel to executives and management across a range of corporate matters. The role emphasizes leadership in complex cases, risk assessment, and contract review, with collaboration across teams.

The attorney will draft, negotiate and manage significant documents, coordinate with outside counsel, and guide governance and compliance initiatives to support the company’s objectives in Michigan’s energy sector.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor degree with 4+ years of attorney experience.
• Admission to the State Bar of Michigan or another acceptable jurisdiction.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal advice to executives on complex matters and develop strategies.
• Research legal principles, draft and negotiate documents.
• Represent the company in negotiations, regulatory or court proceedings.
• Manage assigned legal matters including litigation, contracts, and governance issues.
• Coordinate with outside counsel and supervise legal vendors.
• Lead cases and projects within the practice area.

Skills

Legal analysis

Communication

Leadership

Regulatory knowledge

Project management

Team collaboration

Education

Juris Doctor (J.D.)

Bar admission (Michigan or other jurisdiction)

Job description

Consumers Energy is Michigan's largest energy provider, providing natural gas and/or electricity to 6.8 million of the state's 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties. Consumers Energy knows job number one is to keep the lights on for customers. We are committed to delivering reliable, clean, and affordable energy to our customers 24/7.

This position is not eligible for immigration sponsorship, e.g., H-1B, TN, etc. Please do not apply if you will need immigration sponsorship for a work visa now or in the future, including sponsorship for H-1B, TN, etc., now or in the future. We are unable to hire individuals with CPT, OPT, or STEM OPT for this position as the position is not eligible for participation in the H-1B lottery program and is not eligible for current or future immigration sponsorship for a work visa.

Location: This is a hybrid (virtual/onsite) position with required onsite days on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday assigned to One Energy Plaza located in Jackson, MI.The selected candidate must be within a commutable distance or willing to relocate (relocation package is available for those that qualify).

General Summary of Job Responsibilities

The Senior Attorney provides legal advice and recommendations to executives and management on complex matters that have or may have a material impact on the business. The incumbent is recognized as an expert within their legal practice area and works both independently and collaboratively with a regular client base. The Senior Attorney partners with clients to address their legal needs, achieve business objectives, and develop strategies that support organizational goals.

Responsibilities include researching legal principles and precedents; drafting, reviewing, negotiating, and executing legal documents; and gathering relevant case-related information from multiple sources using a variety of methods. Matters may occasionally require consultation and coordination with outside counsel and subject matter experts.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide direction to professional, paraprofessional, and support staff in developing solutions to legal and business matters.
• Identify, assess, and manage legal risks associated with the company's business activities. Assist in developing and implementing policies and procedures designed to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
• Represent the company externally in negotiations, regulatory or court proceedings, and meetings with customers and other stakeholders.
• Serve as a leader and trusted legal advisor by leading cases and projects and providing counsel on a broad range of significant corporate and business matters within the applicable practice area.
• Manage all aspects of assigned legal matters, including project management; drafting and negotiating contracts and agreements; managing litigation and regulatory matters, including discovery, legal pleadings, briefs, and hearings; advising on corporate and governance matters; and supporting less complex mergers and acquisitions.
• Conduct training for co-workers on various legal topics and provide guidance and assistance to less experienced attorneys.
• Provide legal advice to clients by conducting legal research, keeping clients informed of developments within relevant practice areas, explaining legal concepts, and developing strategies to mitigate legal risk.
• Manage outside counsel and legal vendors.
• Perform other duties as assigned or as necessary.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated expertise within the applicable legal practice area, with the ability to lead cases and projects of moderate to high complexity.
• Demonstrated dependability, sound judgment, and professionalism as an attorney.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities while meeting competing deadlines.
• Strong knowledge of applicable state and federal laws and regulations within the relevant legal specialty.
• Ability to analyze complex matters, conduct appropriate inquiries to develop relevant facts, and provide sound legal advice based on applicable law.

Education/Experience

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree with four (4) or more years of experience practicing as an attorney with a law firm and/or as in-house counsel.
• Admission to the State Bar of Michigan or the bar of another acceptable jurisdiction.

Preferred Experience

• Experience with matters involving the Michigan Public Service Commission.

Why should you join our team?

At Consumers Energy, we offer more than just a place to work. We foster a culture that supports career development, growth, and stability, and we take pride in offering our co-workers excellent benefits and compensation packages. We are deliberately creating an inclusive culture that makes our diverse team of co-workers feel valued, supported, and empowered every day. We're a company made up of thousands of people, all with different stories to share and work to do, but we stand united in our company purpose: world class performance delivering hometown service.

What we offer:

• Competitive compensation packages
• Medical, Dental and Vision
• 401k with company match
• Paid parental leave
• Up to 13 paid Holidays
• Paid time off
• Educational Assistance Program

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion:

We, at CMS Energy, value Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion. It is part of our DNA. We treat our employees with respect, we treat each other fairly and we value the opinions of others. We are passionate about building and nurturing an environment where everyone feels included. We don't discriminate. We seek to learn about each other and better understand our unique differences. Our uniqueness makes us authentic. We create safe spaces where everyone can be who they truly are. We invite difficult conversations and uncomfortable topics. We value diverse perspectives; this is what makes us great together. We harbor an inclusive environment where employees feel empowered to share their backgrounds, experiences, and ideas. Our Employee Resource Groups, Women in Energy (WE), Minority Advisory Panel (MAP), Pride Alliance of Consumers Energy (PACE), GENERGY (Different Generations), capable (Different Abilities), Interfaith, People Planet Partners, and Veterans Advisory Panel (VAP) are key enablers to living the values of our company culture: Caring, Empowered, Deliberate, Agility, and Ownership.

All qualified applicants will not be discriminated against and will receive consideration for employment without regard to protected veteran status, disability, race, color, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin.