Closing Date: 22nd April, 2024
Description:
Minimum Qualifications
Candidates must possess a
law degree, be admitted to the New York State Bar, and have a minimum of
seven years of progressively responsible experience as an attorney in
government litigation, investigations, or administrative hearings, where
they analyzed legal issues, researched and interpreted complex areas of
regulatory or statutory law, drafted and submitted litigation documents
synthesizing law and facts on behalf of a governmental entity or other
client, and demonstrated an ability to build, prosecute, and defend
cases. Clear and effective writing and oral communication skills are
essential requirements. Candidates should have a knowledge of Public
Service Law or experience in utility or other public sector regulation,
managing legal and/or technical staff, and appellate advocacy.
Additional experience in regulatory law, economics, engineering,
accounting, consumer protection, trials or hearings, or judicial
clerkships can strengthen an application.
Duties Description
The
Assistant Counsel, NS-M5, functioning as a Deputy Solicitor in the
Litigation Group of the Office of General Counsel (OGC), will be
responsible for conducting litigation activities as well as supervising a
team of lawyers who specialize in the litigation, investigation, or
enforcement on behalf of the Public Service Commission (Commission)
concerning energy, water, telecommunications, and other matters under
the New York State Public Service Law or related statutes. The
responsibilities include consistently employing clear, organized,
accurate, useful, and well-sourced written communication with DPS
colleagues, effective written and oral advocacy before State and federal
courts, and initiating, conducting, and supervising, high-profile
investigations and defensive and affirmative actions in the energy,
telecommunications, and/or water utility sectors. Additional duties will
include, but are not limited to:
- Representing the Commission in litigation cases before State and federal trial and appellate courts.
- Analyzing potential requirements or violations of Public Service Law, related statutes, regulations, or Commission orders and making recommendations to the Director related to defensive and affirmative litigation matters.
- Conducting research and preparing memoranda on legal issues.
- Advising and updating the functional Department leaders on their related investigations and cases.
- Taking charge of staff preparation and presentations in all assigned Commission proceedings set for hearings, negotiations, and alternative dispute resolution; analyzing issues, studying the law and, when appropriate, preparing for and cross-examining witnesses in all types of proceedings, ranging from the simple and routine to the extensive and complicated proceedings; when requested, initiate, and pursue enforcement actions before New York courts.
- Drafting orders to carry out recommendations submitted to, and directives promulgated by, the Commission.
- Researching and interpreting complex areas of regulatory/administrative procedure law, Commission decisions, legislative history, or consumer protection and regulatory economic policies, and providing legal advice concerning various applications for rehearing or reconsideration of Commission determinations, appeals to the Commission, or regulatory rulemaking.
- Appearing for and on behalf of the Commission and the People of the State of New York (utility consumers) in administrative proceedings concerning electric, natural gas, and telecommunications matters, before various State and federal regulatory agencies.
- Working on a variety of Department compliance matters, audits, reviews, and initiatives, at the request of the Solicitor or General Counsel.
- Supervising other attorneys that perform litigation, investigation, and/or enforcement activities.
The Deputy Solicitor will directly handle complex, high stakes administrative, litigation, and legal matters. The candidate will provide direct support and report to the Deputy General Counsel-Solicitor, liaise with other agencies (including, but not limited to, the Department of Environmental Conservation, Long Island Power Authority, Department of Law, New York State Energy and Research Development Authority, the public, and regulated entities, and occasionally participate as a panelist or speaker at conferences and seminars. The Deputy Solicitor will also perform various supervisory functions including, but not limited to, conducting employee performance evaluations, reviewing and approving employee time reports, managing employee workloads, interviewing potential new hires, and handling inquiries from other offices and the public
