Legal Director

All candidates should make sure to read the following job description and information carefully before applying.

The successful candidate will serve as Director of the Legal Department for the Consumers’ Counsel and perform the following duties (among others) :

• Provide legal advice and recommendations to the Consumers’ Counsel and the Consumers’ Counsel Governing Board concerning complex legal and policy issues associated with the utility industry, including recommendations for utility consumers.
• Provide testimony to the legislature and utility regulatory bodies when requested; supervise the agency’s litigation and negotiations in utility cases affecting Ohio consumers.
• Manage legal staff consisting of attorneys, case team administrative staff and interns. Assign legal staff to cases, review work product for compliance with the agency’s mission, policies, values, and vision.
• Provide general mentoring, including professional development and training for legal staff.
• Represent residential utility consumers in highly complex public utility proceedings before a variety of state and federal agencies and courts.
• Develop policies and procedures with respect to regulatory issues.
• Assist in preparation of proposals for, and selection of, consultants.
• Advise the Consumers’ Counsel regarding appeals to the Ohio Supreme Court. Responsible for ensuring that the agency’s written work in appeals in the Ohio Supreme Court is following the Court’s Rules of Practice.
• Interact with other public agencies and entities including the PUCO, FCC, DOE, FERC, Ohio Attorney General’s Office, local governments and state and federal legislatures and other consumer advocacy organizations.

Qualifications :

License to practice law in the State of Ohio. A minimum of five years of experience in managing legal professionals. A minimum of five years or equivalent experience in public utility regulation, with a working knowledge of utility regulation and utility consumer issues is required.

Applicants should demonstrate excellence in oral and written communications, including persuasive writing and making technical issues understandable.

Familiarity with word processing programs, online research and other technology used in legal advocacy is expected. Applicants should have a willingness to work more than 40 hours per week, as needed for consumer advocacy, and a commitment to public service.

Supplemental Information :

Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check and drug test. Per the Ohio Revised Code 124.151(B), all newly hired employees will be required to have their compensation deposited directly to a financial institution.

The Office of the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel is an Equal Opportunity Employer. When contacted for an interview, an applicant who requires special accommodation due to a disability should notify the Office of Human Resources at the time he / she is contacted so that proper arrangements can be made for the interview.

The applicant is required to provide details of minimum qualifications and job duties on the application form. Failure to provide the information will preclude consideration of the applicant.

If an interview is offered, supporting documentation / paperwork (e.g., college transcripts, copy of pertinent license or certifications, etc.

may be required at the time of the interview.

The Office of the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel is committed to providing access and inclusion and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, programs, and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws.

To request a reasonable accommodation due to a disability please contact Laurie Knight at [email protected]

ADA Statement :

Ohio is a Disability Inclusion State and strives to be a model employer of individuals with disabilities. The State of Ohio is committed to providing access and inclusion and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, programs and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws.

Drug-Free Workplace :

The State of Ohio is a drug-free workplace which prohibits the use of marijuana (recreational marijuana / non-medical cannabis).

Please note, this position may be subject to additional restrictions pursuant to the State of Ohio Drug-Free Workplace Policy (HR-39), and as outlined in the posting.

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