Utility Attorney—Office of the Consumer Advocate

State of Iowa; Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

State of Iowa seeks an experienced utility attorney to prepare, develop, and present complex utility cases to the Iowa Utilities Commission, state and federal courts, and federal agencies. The role involves investigating economic and engineering aspects of utilities and supervising expert testimony within a collaborative office.

A successful candidate will bring strong regulatory experience and a commitment to public service. Background check is required.

Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited law school with a JD or equivalent.
• Experience in utility regulation, administrative law, or taxation practices.
• Clarity on professional eligibility to practice law in Iowa; law clerk or paralegal experience not counted as practice.

Responsibilities

• Prepare, develop, and present complex utility cases to the Iowa Utilities Commission and courts.
• Investigate issues related to economic, finance, accounting, and engineering operations of utilities.
• Supervise and develop expert testimony and staff; advocate policy and strategy on utility regulation.
• Engage in full-spectrum litigation in a team-based office.

Skills

Utility regulation law

Administrative law

Taxation law

Education

Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school

Job description

Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird seeks an experienced utility attorney to prepare, develop, and present complex utility cases to the Iowa Utilities Commission, state courts, federal courts, and federal agencies. The position responsibilities include investigation of issues related to economic, finance, accounting, and engineering operations of utilities, supervising and developing professional expert testimony, developing policy and strategy on utility regulatory issues, and full spectrum litigation in a team-based office. A successful candidate will be committed to public service.

Background check is required.

The State of Iowa is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.

E-Verify and Right to Work The State of Iowa participates in E-Verify, a federal program that helps employers confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. Within the required timeframe, new hires will be verified through the E-Verify system to ensure authorization to work in the United States. The State of Iowa also complies with the federal Right to Work laws, which protect employees’ rights to work without being required to join a labor organization. For more information, please visit www.e-verify.gov.

Applicants must meet at least one of the following minimum requirements to qualify for positions in this job classification:

• 1) Graduation from an accredited law school and experience equal to two years of full-time work in the practice of utility regulation law, administrative law, or taxation.
• 2) Graduation from an accredited law school with an advanced law degree (M.L. or LL.M.) or certificate in utility, energy, sustainability, or taxation law, and experience equal to one year of full-time work in the practice of law.
• 3) Current, continuous experience in the state executive branch that includes two years of full-time work as an Attorney 1, an Attorney 2, or a combination thereof.

Note: experience as a law clerk or paralegal is not considered the “practice of law.”

At least two years of experience in the practice of utility regulation law either as a regulator, litigant, or regulated utility attorney.

The position will require travel and admission to practice law in Iowa.