Director of Legal Services Arkansas

Company: Liberty Utilities (Canada) Corp
Location: Jefferson City
Posted on: May 16, 2020

Job Description:

TITLE:
Director of Legal Services Arkansas

ID:
121866

SUBSIDIARY:
Liberty Utilities

DEPARTMENT:
Legal & Regulatory Affairs

LOCATION:
Jefferson City, MO

COUNTRY:
United States

ZIP/POSTAL CODE:
64802

Description

Our vision is to be the utility company most admired by customers, communities and investors for our people, passion and performance.

Purpose


An opportunity to join a dynamic team driven to source, attract and engage diverse top talent across North America. Liberty Utilities owns and operates regulated water, wastewater, natural gas and electric transmission and distribution utilities in thirteen states and one Canadian province, delivering responsive and reliable utility services to over 800,000 customers. Liberty Utilities currently operates in Arizona, Arkansas, California, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Hampshire, New York, Oklahoma and Texas, and New Brunswick, Canada. . This position is for Director of Legal Services for our regulated utilities in Arkansas with additional legal work and support for our companies in other states. Our Arkansas utilities are part of the Liberty Utilities Central Region.

This position reports directly to the Vice President, Associate General Counsel, Liberty Utilities and is primarily responsible for providing and managing any and all necessary legal services relating to our operating companies in Arkansas with additional legal support to our operating companies in other states. position will be part of a growing Legal Department providing legal services to all of the Liberty Utilities operating companies in the United States, our regulated utility in New Brunswick, our corporate office in Oakville, Ontario and internationally.



A major emphasis will be on handling regulatory matters associated with governmental regulatory agencies, including the Arkansas Public Service Commission ( APSC ), as well as providing legal services relating to contracts, business matters, acquisitions and additional operational matters. This position will act as lead counsel on all legal matters for Arkansas, and may be asked to work on other various matters, including those in other Liberty Utilities states of operation.


Accountabilities

Act as in-house subject matter expert on all regulatory, business and operational legal issues impacting lines of business in a dynamic and changing industry. Work closely with the Central Region Leadership Team, Regulatory, Accounting, Customer Service, Engineering, Operations, and Finance Departments and our Central Region Management Team.



Handle complex legal issues and provide advice and counsel related to utility regulation including litigation, tariff review, proposed legislation, compliance requirements and customer complaints; provide research and writing as to regulatory requirements; assist in the preparation of filings and assist in the preparation of testimony in proceedings, including rate cases, while developing close relationships and representing our regulated utilities at the APSC.



Develop legal and business strategies relating to capital projects, regulatory filings, operational matters and other business decisions.



Review decisions of courts and regulatory agencies to determine precedent in regulatory and legal matters.

Draft and revise legal opinions, regulatory filings, and rules and regulations, including explaining and defending company goals and objectives.



Provide legal advice on probable legal or other impacts of proposed changes in rules, regulations, and applicable laws.



Review files, records and briefs and perform research on legal questions.



Manage all outside legal counsel for Arkansas.



Complete and/or coordinate with other departments relating to accurate and timely reports required for regulatory filings.



Represent Liberty Utilities at industry workshops at the APSC and other organizations.



Manage execution of rate cases, including preparing witnesses before and during proceedings and hearing before the APSC.



Support corporate governance functions for affiliates in multiple United States jurisdictions, assist with due diligence relating to mergers and acquisitions, finance transactions and provide commercial advice and assistance to the finance, customer service, operations, engineering and regulatory teams.

Provide legal guidance and draft and negotiate contracts relating to permitting and licensing, property rights, environmental regulation, vendor agreements, and procurement.



Monitor and manage litigation proceedings involving Liberty Utilities.



Provide, upon request and contingent on availability of time, assistance to other similar utilities owned or controlled by Liberty Utilities.

React and respond to external and internal queries and requests relating to various legal issues.



Assist in corporate initiatives in creating and implementing of governance and corporate policies.



Other duties as assigned from time to time.





Education & Experience



Juris Doctor Degree from an accredited law school with at least five (5) years of experience in utility regulatory matters with knowledge of contracts and litigation. Must be licensed to practice law in Arkansas and in good standing in all jurisdictions licensed to practice.



Willingness and ability to gain license(s) to practice law in other Liberty Utilities states as needed. Cost of such licensure to be paid by Liberty Utilities.

Prior legal experience in government and/or the regulated utility environment required as well as experience in operational and contract matters preferred.



Understanding of key business issues and requirements of regulated utilities and resulting implications of specific legal issues.



Proficient with computer applications including Microsoft Office Suite and the Internet.



Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Flexible with traveling within the U.S. and Canada required.



Valid driver s license and passport required.



This position may be based in Little Rock, Arkansas or other Liberty Utilities Central Region location and will require travel to Joplin, Missouri and other locations within Liberty Utilities Central Region.

Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp is a North American diversified generation, transmission and distribution utility with $10+ billion of total assets. (APUC) delivers continuing growth through an expanding pipeline of renewable energy development projects, organic growth within its regulated distribution and transmission businesses, and the pursuit of accretive acquisitions.
The distribution business group (Liberty Utilities) provides rate regulated water, electricity and natural gas utility services to over 750,000+ customers in the United States. The transmission business group invests in rate regulated electric transmission and natural gas pipeline systems in the United States and Canada.
The generation business group (Liberty Power, formerly known as Algonquin Power) owns a portfolio of regulated and long term contracted North American based wind, solar, hydroelectric and thermal powered generating facilities representing more than 1.5+ GW of installed capacity.

Benefits
Collaborative environment with a genuine flexible working policy
Share purchase/match plan
401K Plan
Free refreshments
Top Talent Program
Volunteer paid days off
Employee Assistance Program
Achievement fund
Free parking, including free electrical charging

We are focused on building a diverse and inclusive workforce. If you are excited about this role, and are not certain you meet the all the qualification requirements, we encourage you to apply to further investigate the opportunity.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value each person s unique background,

Keywords: Liberty Utilities (Canada) Corp, Jefferson City , Director of Legal Services Arkansas, Executive , Jefferson City, Missouri