Senior Counsel - Regulatory

Job Posting End Date
04-21-2025
Please note the job posting will close on the day before the posting end date

Job Summary

The position will represent and advise AEP's operating companies in administrative litigation and related appeals to civil courts, including regulatory proceedings before state public utility commissions that have jurisdiction over AEP's electric utility rates and operations.

Representation includes legal research, motion practice, discovery, commenting on proposed rules, reviewing and drafting testimony, presenting company witnesses and cross-examining opposing witnesses in hearing, writing briefs and appellate practice; reviewing and drafting legislation; providing legal advice to management and other company personnel regarding all aspects of public utility regulation; exercising independent legal judgment; and working with outside legal counsel, state attorneys general, commission staff and industry stakeholders.
Applicants must possess strong communication and interpersonal skills, a good working knowledge of regulatory law, and sound legal judgment, as well as a proven ability for initiative, creativity, good judgment and working independently of direct supervision, while being aligned with the goals of the corporate Legal Department. Experience in businesses that market their services to consumers (particularly if subject to a level of government oversight) is helpful for potential candidates. Experience with energy and capacity markets, or in the energy industry more broadly, is desirable but not a prerequisite.

Job Description

Key Duties & Responsibilities:

• Coordinate and implement regulatory strategies.
• Monitor, analyze and oversee preparation of regulatory supporting documents including testimony, comments, briefs, proposed orders, white papers and discovery data responses.
• Assist in the development of relationships with representatives of state regulatory and enforcement agencies to ensure effective communication, partnership and cooperation.
• Develop and manage advocacy before state utility commissions.
• Advising business unit leadership on government regulation and its impact on business strategy.
• Delivering timely advice on regulatory compliance matters.
• Keeping company leadership and other personnel informed of all compliance-related issues and legal developments.
• Drafting and reviewing marketing material, internal audit and compliance policies and plans, and other business-related documentation.
• Working collaboratively with business unit leadership, employees, regulators and industry stakeholders.

Legal and Regulatory Requirements:

• Solid understanding of regulatory environment at state level, particularly in AEP's territory.
• Strong understanding of electric utility industry.
• Solid understanding of legal and regulatory issues relating to electric utilities.
• Solid understanding of electric utility ratemaking and CCN process.
• Ability to manage regulatory docketed proceedings, tariff filings, rulemakings and legislative process.
• Experience presenting and crossing witnesses in administrative hearings.
• Big picture oriented, yet focus driven, with strong attention to detail.

Communication Skills:

• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Strong advocacy and negotiation skills.
• Ability to communicate cross functionally with all business units.
• Ability to relate to many different constituencies in a positive, proactive manner that will engender confidence from company management, employees, state utility commissions and other industry groups.
• Problem solver coupled with good conflict resolution skills.
• Extremely organized, self-starter and result oriented.

Education & Professional Background:

Senior Counsel - Grade 10

• J.D. required. Eligible to practice in Texas.
• Minimum of 5+ years of experience with a law firm or corporate legal department, preferably including experience before a state utility regulatory commission relating to competitive retail providers and/or electric public utilities.

Senior Counsel - Grade 11

• J.D. required. Eligible to practice in Texas.
• Minimum of 7+ years of experience with a law firm or corporate legal department including experience before a state utility regulatory commission relating to competitive retail providers and/or electric public utilities.

Work Location and Travel:

• This position's primary work location will be AEP's offices in Austin, TX.
• Travel to other locations in the AEP System is expected to be approximately 10% -15% and could be more extensive during certain periods, such as for hearings and in-person meetings with other employees, commission staff and utility stakeholders.

Compensation:

• Senior Counsel (Grade 10): $132,562 - $172,333
• Senior Counsel (Grade 11): $155,761 - $202,491

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Compensation Data

Compensation Grade:

SP20-010

Compensation Range:

$132,562.00-172,331.00 USD

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It is hereby reaffirmed that it is the policy of American Electric Power (AEP) to provide Equal Employment Opportunity in all respects of the employer-employee relationship including recruiting, hiring, upgrading and promotion, conditions and privileges of employment, company sponsored training programs, educational assistance, social and recreational programs, compensation, benefits, transfers, discipline, layoffs and termination of employment to all employees and applicants without discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, veteran or military status, disability, genetic information, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law. When required by law, we might record certain information or applicants for employment may be invited to voluntarily disclose protected characteristics.