Chief Attorney

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THE WORK YOU WILL DO

The Office of Public Counsel seeks a talented and experienced supervising attorney to lead, guide, and train litigation teams to achieve successful outcomes for Florida’s utility customers. You will play a critical role as the statutory intervenor for cases involving utility rate affordability, data center tariffs and agreements, clean energy resources, storm hardening plans, hurricane restoration costs, corporate accounting and finance, capital investment plans, and the cost-effective development and integration of future energy technologies. You will also take or supervise direct appeals to the Florida Supreme Court for electric and gas cases, and to the First District Court of Appeals for water cases.

OUR ORGANIZATION

The Office of Public Counsel has zealously represented Florida’s customers in high profile litigation for the past 52 years. We intervene as a matter of right to represent residential, commercial, and industrial customers in proceedings involving the collective interests of all customers of Florida’s publicly owned utilities. Our advocates actively confront critical affordability issues where the amounts in controversy can exceed billions of dollars, in public hearings before the Public Service Commission.

The Public Counsel performs independent analyses, presents testimony of expert witnesses, deposes and cross-examines utility witnesses, files recommendations, and present oral arguments. Our attorneys manage their own cases but operate as members of a litigation team. You may conduct negotiated settlements that result in fair, just, and reasonable outcomes for all customers. Our advocates may also brief and argue their own cases on appeal.

EXAMPLES OF WORK PERFORMED

• Learning and Personal Growth:  If you bring the willingness to devote yourself to mastery of public utilities law, we will invest the substantial time and resources required to prepare you for success in a rapidly changing legal specialty.


• Appellate Advocacy: If you bring your substantial legal research and writing skills, you will receive collaborative support from our experienced attorneys, industry consultants, legal assistants, and other intervening cooperative partners to present effective written and oral arguments.


• Customer Advocacy: Continue to hone your advocacy skills in a variety of public venues to promote the best interests of Florida’s customers, ranging from the highest courts to local service hearings within impacted communities. Multilingual ability is an asset but not required.


• Advocate for Much Needed Regulatory Change: Enforce the regulatory framework of customer protections and recommend improvements that promote positive outcomes for customers.


• Legal Expertise and Guidance: Display your growing subject-matter expertise by quickly responding to Legislative inquiries.


• Depositions and Cross Examination: Conduct written discovery, depositions, and examination of industry experts and executives.


• Expert Witnesses: Retain, prepare, and defend your own industry experts in depositions and hearings.


• Lead, Mentor, and Develop: As a member of the leadership team, set the example, mentor, and encourage the future success of junior counsel in a collaborative environment.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Display increasing mastery of the rules related to litigation practice in Florida


• Comprehend, utilize, and organize complex documents, legal theories, and research


• Interpret state and federal legislation, laws, and rules


• Employ legal reasoning to anticipate challenges and implement creative solutions


• Advocate effectively in written and oral communications


• Display independent leadership, cooperative teamwork, initiative, and common sense


• Work collaboratively with outside counsel, expert witnesses, officials, and public staff


• Conduct effective and efficient meetings and presentations


• Prepare well-written, accurate, and persuasive legal writing


• Conduct relevant and effective legal research to support your positions


• Prepare and present trial briefs, motions, pleadings, and oral arguments


• Exercise stewardship over all public funds and property


• Uphold the highest standards of ethics and professionalism


• Safeguard confidential and sensitive information


• Treat all people with courtesy, dignity, and respect


• Zealously advocate for affordable utility rates and other positive customer outcomes


• Put forth the full effort required to organize, plan, and achieve your litigation goals

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Attorney in good standing with the Florida Bar with at least three years of significant litigation experience. Appellate experience is helpful but not required. Your industry-specific knowledge will be developed.

SALARY RANGE

$59,772-$131,568, commensurate with skills and experience.

BENEFITS

Excellent individual and family health benefits including free dental insurance. Retirement plan options that include employer contributions. Utilize state tuition opportunities to secure advanced degrees. Enjoy a generous upfront allotment of leave, sick leave, and holidays. Achieve work-life balance by embracing the unique opportunity to capture a total of 200 excess hours towards block leave, with a large annual carryforward to offset the demands of trying 3-5 complex, multi-day cases per year as lead attorney.   

APPLICATION DEADLINE

This position will remain open until it is filled.

SUBMISSION OF APPLICATION

Qualified applicants should submit an application and detailed resume through the Florida Legislature's Job Portal.

ACCOMMODATION FOR DISABILITY

Please notify Human Resources at (850) 488-6803 regarding accommodation for persons with disabilities.

You are encouraged to explore this opportunity by contacting the Public Counsel, Walt Trierweiler, directly by phone or text at (850) 717-0326, or by email at [email protected]

Do not click the Apply button. Apply at GovernmentJobs.com