Spire is hiring Senior Counsel to support Spire's Regulatory efforts from our downtown St. Louis (MO) offices. This position is primarily responsible for providing legal representation of Spire Missouri Inc. in regulatory matters before the Missouri Public Service Commission, including independent responsibility and leadership of certain docketed cases where appropriate. This position may also oversee legal regulatory matters for Spire Alabama Inc., Spire Gulf Inc. and Spire Mississippi Inc. before their respective public service commissions. When necessary, this position will also represent the gas utilities in appeals of public service commission orders. This position is additionally responsible for providing, as requested, representation of the gas utilities before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, including associated appellate litigation in the federal courts of appeals. Finally, this position will assist in the defense and prosecution of civil litigation and transactional matters, as needed.
Duties and Responsibilities
Providing direct legal representation of Spire's gas utilities regarding state regulatory matters, primarily before the Missouri Public Service Commission, including independently leading certain docketed cases where appropriate. When appropriate, provide direct legal representation or supervise outside counsel on behalf of Spire's gas utilities in matters. This may include developing and implementing litigation strategy and tactics; preparing or reviewing pleadings, protests, motions, data requests, comments and other filings; researching statutory and case law as necessary, supervising witness and expert testimony preparation; developing settlement strategy and negotiating settlements when appropriate; representing Spire entities or supervising the representation of Spire entities at evidentiary hearings and settlement conferences; preparing or supervising the preparation of post-hearing briefs; and preparing or supervising preparation of appellate briefs and oral arguments on appeal.
This position will be responsible for representing Spire Missouri in regulatory matters including general rate cases, Infrastructure System Replacement Surcharge (ISRS) filings, purchased gas adjustments, financing authority, accounting authority, certificates of convenience & necessity (CCNs), formal complaint cases, waiver and variance requests, Staff investigations, and workshops, and rulemakings. This includes primary independent responsibility for formal complaints, waiver and variance requestscases, CCN applicationss, , gas cost and weather normalization filings, ISRS cases, municipal acquisitions, utility plant asset purchases and sales, and tariff maintenance filings.
When appropriate, this position may assist in managing representation or providing direct legal representation of Spire entities before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, including representing Spire entities at the FERC, directly, or through outside counsel, in matters involving the gas utilities' interstate pipeline suppliers, including preparation and/or review of interventions in and protests of pipeline rate, tariff and certificate matters.
Provide legal advice and counsel to all departments with regard to compliance with regulations, Commission orders, statutory and case law as it applies to regulatory requirements.
Provide quality legal advice and counsel in a timely manner to senior management and all departments as requested.
Regular attendance is considered an essential job function.
Keep abreast of federal and state regulatory policies affecting the gas and energy industry.
Participation, as time permits, in trade association committee and bar association activities related to FERC and state public utility commission regulation.
Perform research and continue legal education to stay current with statutes, case law and regulatory policies governing the energy industry.
Essential Characteristics
Ability to present and conduct contested cases (first chair)
Ability to analyze the value of positions taken in administrative proceedings
Ability to negotiate favorable settlements for the companies
Ability to select appropriate expert witnesses
Ability to prepare witnesses for deposition or hearing in an administrative setting
Ability to analyze legal questions and produce legal documents, including trial and appellate briefs
Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing
Ability to establish effective interpersonal business relationships with business partners, counterparties, commission staff personnel and co-workers
Ability to cooperate and foster an atmosphere of cooperation and team work
Ability to think strategically, with strong business acumen
Supervisory Responsibilities
Supervises outside legal counsel where appropriate, and provides leadership and guidance to Regulatory Department personnel
Required Education (certifications, licenses)
A law degree from an American Bar Association-accredited law school
License to practice law in the State of Missouri or ability and willingness to become a member of the Missouri Bar
Required knowledge, skill and abilities
Experience working in the regulated energy business, and in particular working with regulated public utilities, is strongly preferred
Either at least three years' experience practicing before a state utility commission or the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, or at least three years' general civil litigation experience
Strong legal advocacy and writing skills
Knowledge of public utility law
Knowledge of energy law
Knowledge of administrative law
Strong writing and advocacy skills
Strong problem solving and decision-making skills
Strong project management skills would be a plus
Experience with personal injury, Workers' Compensation, or commercial litigation a plus
Experience drafting and negotiating easements, leases, or similar property interests a plus
Knowledge of natural gas distribution or transmission systems a plus
Spire Inc.
Alabama United States
www.spireenergy.com/
