Counsel

Requisition ID # 169139 

Job Category: Legal 

Job Level: Attorney

Business Unit: Gen Counsel, Ethics, Risk & Compliance

Work Type: Hybrid

Job Location: Oakland

Department Overview

The Law Department provides timely, strategic and business-focused legal services to the company. The Strategy & Policy team, which is within the Law – Utility, Strategy, and Operations organization, supports clients and initiatives across a broad spectrum of topics, primarily related to energy policy and procurement, climate and clean energy, generation and storage assets, but also including decarbonization strategy, non-traditional funding, critical policy and legislative initiatives, and special projects.  While the work in the role is primarily regulatory in nature, there are significant legislative aspects to this role. 

Position Summary

If you are interested in clean energy, emerging energy technologies, decarbonization, and grappling with the policies to support these activities, then this position may be right for you.  The Counsel Attorney will report to the Managing Counsel for Strategy & Policy and will be responsible for providing legal support, including legislative analysis and drafting, as well as advice and counsel to Pacific Gas and Electric Company’s Government Relations team. The position will focus on legal and legislative aspects of policy development, including renewable energy, energy storage, distributed generation, micro-grids, hydroelectric licensing and compliance, electric vehicle charging infrastructure, greenhouse gas emissions reduction policy and emerging energy products and related projects.  The attorney may also assist in regulatory proceedings at the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), California Energy Commission (CEC), and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).  Attorneys will also contribute to special projects and initiatives in support of corporate strategies, such as participation in one or more cross-cutting strategic imperatives, where the attorney will work with other groups in the Law Department and clients across the company. 

This position is hybrid, working from your remote office and your assigned work location based on business need.

PG&E is providing the salary range that can reasonably be expected for this position at the time of the job posting. This salary range is specific to the locality of the job. The actual salary paid to an individual will be based on multiple factors, including, but not limited to, internal equity, specific skills, education, licenses or certifications, experience, market value, and geographic location. The decision will be made on a case-by-case basis related to these factors.​ This job is also eligible to participate in PG&E’s discretionary incentive compensation programs.  

A Reasonable Starting Salary Range: 

Bay Area – $170,000-$253,000

Job Responsibilities

• Represent PG&E in developing and analyzing policy recommendations, reviewing legislative proposals, and drafting language, as well as collaborating with stakeholders to develop durable legislative and policy proposals.
• Represent PG&E in regulatory proceedings before the CPUC, including hearings, workshops, written submissions, and filings. Research and draft pleadings for submission to regulatory bodies in respective proceedings.
• Develop policies and implement regulatory strategy as part of team that includes government relations, local government affairs, regulatory affairs and client representatives from policy and operations organizations.
• Provide advice and counsel to management and project teams on legal, legislative, and regulatory issues and related strategy.
• Consult with other attorneys in the Law Department regarding key business and legal issues, including legislative proposals and strategic imperatives.
• Support project teams to prepare and issue requests for offers for energy and related products in emerging and established California energy programs.
• Provide legal advice regarding the development and evaluation of draft legislation.
• Monitor legal developments in the utility industry and provide review and strategic advice to attorneys to position the company for potential appeals involving such developments.
• Under supervision, manage and coordinate outside counsel handling specific proceedings or issues.

Qualifications

Minimum:

• Bachelor’s degree 
• J.D. from an accredited law school 
• Licensed to practice law in California (or Registered In-House Counsel)
• 6 years of experience, which may include other industry experience relevant to the position
• Experience as Attorney, 3 years

Desired:

• Demonstrated interest in the future of the California utility model and its ability to accomplish the state’s clean energy goals while ensuring affordable rates for customers.
• Experience advising clients in the energy industry or environmental policy arena, including regulatory or litigation-related matters.
• Ability to represent PG&E in legislative matters and in proceedings before regulatory bodies, including prior experience working on legislative initiatives or in state public utility commission proceedings.
• Capable of working independently and as a team member.
• Experience directly advising clients and ability to provide a high level of client service.
• Ability to set priorities and to respond to changing demands from multiple internal and external sources.
• Excellent communication skills (verbal and written), with emphasis on legal writing and persuasiveness.
• Strong academic record.