Senior Attorney- Federal Regulatory

Basic Purpose

Provides legal assessments, interpretations, recommendations and representation on corporate policies and issues in compliance with federal and state statutes, regulations and other legal authority.  Represents the Company in court, formal hearings and/or board/regulatory meetings.  Provides counsel and legal assistance in the interpretation of statutes, legal opinions, and obligations.  Reviews and recommends application of Company and department policies to protect the Company’s interests and objectives.  Prepares and reviews legal documents and/or contracts.  Oversees, selects, and directs outside legal counsel as appropriate.

Provides legal support for transmission services, policy and strategy, including advice on FERC and regional energy market and policy issues. 

Advises on transmission and interconnection tariff issues (OATT and pre-OATT).

Advises on NERC compliance matters.

Advises on regulatory compliance issues, including tariff, reliability standards and standard of conduct and affiliate compliance, and assists with training for company personnel. 

Provides legal support for federal transmission and ancillary services rate development. 

Negotiates transmission, interconnection, system impact and facilities studies, and other types of commercial agreements.

Develops legal assessments, interpretations, recommendations and opinions on laws, policies and

regulatory issues.  Develops and presents recommendations to senior management within the organizational unit and the Company regarding course of action. 

Oversees, selects, and directs outside legal counsel.

Recommends application of Company and departmental policies to protect the company’s interests and objectives. 

Represents the Company in administrative proceedings at federal and state agencies.

Develops all forms of legal documents including contracts, pleadings, data requests, data request responses, testimony, regulatory documents, reports, and presentations.

Delivers high quality work product and sufficient legal controls on a timely basis to the Company’s business units

Ensures all compliance aspects of position are known and followed; understands and complies with all policies, codes and regulations applicable to position and company. 

Monitors and enforces all compliance requirements for area of responsibility. 

Performs related duties as assigned. 

Essential Education, Skills, and Environment
Education and Work Experience
Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited law school, as well as qualification for membership with the State Bar of Nevada (within one year of starting the position) and authorization to practice before the FERC.  Minimum of five years’ experience in law firm, government or corporate setting.  Experience with FERC transmission regulation and policy.  Experience with NERC standards. Experience in tariff interpretation and reliability standards.

Specialized Knowledge and Skills
Demonstrated verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills including assessing implications of proposed actions/arguments and responding appropriately in internal and external forums. 

Demonstrated skills in working as a team member, maintaining project timelines, managing and prioritizing multiple legal initiatives, and delivering commitments.  Demonstrated knowledge of research and analysis techniques and application of federal, state and local government laws and regulations is required.

Equipment and Applications
PCs, word processing, spreadsheet and database software.

Work Environment and Physical Demands
General office environment.  No special physical demands required.  Same-day and overnight travel required.