Description:

General Summary:
Job Title:
Chief Attorney, Office of Public Counsel

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.

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.

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
Recognize the need to practice good stewardship over all public funds and property
Acknowledge the responsibility to uphold the highest standards of ethics and professionalism
Never fail to safeguard confidential and sensitive information or to uphold the public trust
Gallantly treat all people with courtesy, dignity, and respect
Energetically advocate affordable utility rates and other positive litigation outcomes
Readily 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. Industry-specific knowledge will be taught.

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 Trierweiler.Walt@leg.state.fl.us.