Chief Legal Counsel, Office of Public Counsel

Chief Legal Counsel, Office of Public Counsel

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 uphold the public trust 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. If you bring the willingness to devote yourself to mastery of public utilities law, we will invest the substantial time and resources required to succeed in a rapidly changing legal specialty. You will receive collaborative support from our experienced attorneys, industry consultants, legal assistants, and other intervening cooperative partners to prepare you for success in this exciting industry.

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 Office of 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 and can work toward negotiated settlements that result in fair, just, and reasonable outcomes for all customers.

Examples of work performed include customer advocacy, advocating for much needed regulatory change, conducting depositions and cross examination, retaining and defending industry experts, advancing litigation skills, and leading, mentoring, and developing junior counsel.

Required knowledge, skills, and abilities include mastery of litigation practice rules, complex document organization, legal theory utilization, state and federal legislation interpretation, legal reasoning, effective advocacy, independent leadership, cooperative teamwork, effective meetings and presentations, persuasive legal writing, relevant legal research, stewardship of public funds, ethical and professional standards, confidentiality, public interaction, and full effort in litigation goals.

Minimum qualifications include being an attorney in good standing with The Florida Bar, possessing impeccable credentials, and at least three years of significant litigation experience. Appellate experience is helpful but not required. Industry-specific knowledge is beneficial but can be taught.

Salary range is $59,772-$131,568, commensurate with skills and experience. Benefits include excellent individual and family health benefits, retirement plan options, state tuition opportunities, leave accrual, and work-life balance.

Application deadline is open until filled. Accommodation for disability can be requested by contacting Human Resources at View phone number on click.appcast.io. For more information, contact Walt Trierweiler directly by phone or text at View phone number on click.appcast.io, or by email at View email address on click.appcast.io.

Location: Tallahassee, FL, US, 32399