Senior Counsel, Litigation and Compliance (Natural Gas Utilities)

JOB SUMMARY/PURPOSE

Delta Utilities is seeking a skilled and experienced litigation attorney reporting directly to the Chief Legal Officer and will be responsible for general company matters, including handling complex litigation, compliance, environmental, real estate and employment. The Senior Counsel will work closely with internal stakeholders and outside counsel to effectively manage and resolve disputes, and partner with leadership of key functions, including Human Resources, Operations, Finance, and Health and Safety and Compliance, to support key initiatives for the overall organization.

JOB DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

• Direct, manage, and develop strategy for all phases of litigation from pre-litigation strategy through trial and appeal 

• Liaise with and manage outside counsel to oversee legal strategy to handle disputes, including those related to injury, insurance, contract enforcement, employment, and environmental matters 

• Ensure the company is in compliance with the internal policies and procedures, as well as all applicable laws, regulations, and policies 

• Draft, review, and negotiate settlements, pleadings, motions, and other legal documents, such as contracts and leases 

• Develop company policies and advise management on legal implications of internal policies and procedures 

• Provide training to the company and its staff on policies and compliance  

• Manage and provide oversight of the claims department 

• Stay current on legal changes affecting the company and natural gas industry 

• Provide guidance on corporate governance and internal investigations 

• Anticipate and mitigate potential legal problems within the organization and develop strategies to avoid costly litigation and reduce potential areas of risk 

• Perform other job-related duties as assigned by the Chief Legal Officer 

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Minimum education required of the position

• Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school 
• Licensed in at least one state (active and in good standing)

Minimum experience required of the position

• Minimum of 6 years of legal experience, either a top law firm or a company (can be a combination); preferably supporting the energy and utility industries 

Minimum knowledge, skills and abilities preferred of the position

• Experience managing complex, high-stakes litigation, including trial preparation and case management 
• Excellent verbal/written communication and interpersonal skills
• An ability to provide sound, clear legal advice to senior executives and other senior leaders
• Ability to effectively and efficiently manage multiple time-sensitive projects simultaneously
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to manage high volume of employment, litigation and contract matters
• Demonstrated ability to manage relationships with outside counsel and internal stakeholders  
• Job duties are performed in a normal and clean office environment with normal noise levels.
• Work is predominately done while standing or sitting.
• The ability to comprehend, document, calculate, visualize and analyze are required.

Working Conditions

The Physical Demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the Accountabilities and Essential functions of the job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable an individual with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

Perform other job-related duties as assigned, within your scope of responsibilities.

About Delta Utilities

Delta Utilities is a leading natural gas utility with a focus on safe, dependable service to customers. Headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana, the utility will serve nearly

600,000 customers and become one of the leading natural gas providers in Louisiana and Mississippi and among the top 40 providers in the United States.

In 2023, Entergy announced that it had entered into an agreement with Delta Utilities to sell its Louisiana gas distribution business. The natural gas utility currently serves more than 200,000 customers across East Baton Rouge and Orleans parishes. In February 2024, Delta Utilities entered into an agreement with CenterPoint Energy to acquire its Louisiana and Mississippi natural gas businesses, which currently serve approximately 381,000 customers. Once the transactions are complete, Entergy's Louisiana natural gas operations and CenterPoint Energy's Louisiana and Mississippi natural gas systems will be operated by Delta Utilities. Learn more: https://deltautilities.com/

Delta Utilities and associated entities are equal-opportunity employers. We do not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment on any legally recognized basis or any protected class under federal, state, or local law.

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