Chief Attorney

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.OUR ORGANIZATIONThe 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 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 but operate as members of a litigation team. You may conduct negotiated settlements that result in fair, just, and reasonable outcomes for all customers. Our advocates may also brief and argue their own cases on appeal.EXAMPLES OF WORK PERFORMEDLearning 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.REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:Display increasing mastery of the rules related to litigation practice in FloridaComprehend, utilize, and organize complex documents, legal theories, and researchInterpret state and federal legislation, laws, and rulesEmploy legal reasoning to anticipate challenges and implement creative solutionsAdvocate effectively in written and oral communicationsDisplay independent leadership, cooperative teamwork, initiative, and common senseWork collaboratively with outside counsel, expert witnesses, officials, and public staffConduct effective and efficient meetings and presentationsPrepare well‑written, accurate, and persuasive legal writingConduct relevant and effective legal research to support your positionsPrepare and present trial briefs, motions, pleadings, and oral argumentsExercise stewardship over all public funds and propertyUphold the highest standards of ethics and professionalismSafeguard confidential and sensitive informationTreat all people with courtesy, dignity, and respectZealously advocate for affordable utility rates and other positive customer outcomesPut forth the full effort required to organize, plan, and achieve your litigation goalsMINIMUM QUALIFICATIONSAttorney in good standing with the Florida Bar with at least three years of significant litigation experience. Appellate experience is helpful but not required. Your industry‑specific knowledge will be developed.SALARY RANGE$59,772-$131,568, commensurate with skills and experience.BENEFITSExcellent individual and family health benefits including free dental insurance. Retirement plan options that include employer contributions. Utilize state tuition opportunities to secure advanced degrees. Enjoy a generous upfront allotment of leave, sick leave, and holidays. Achieve work‑life balance by embracing the unique opportunity to capture a total of 200 excess hours towards block leave, with a large annual carryforward to offset the demands of trying 3-5 complex, multi‑day cases per year as lead attorney.APPLICATION DEADLINEThis position will remain open until it is filled.SUBMISSION OF APPLICATIONQualified applicants should submit an application and detailed resume through the Florida Legislature's Job Portal.ACCOMMODATION FOR DISABILITYPlease 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.usFor assistance, call the People First Service Center at (877) 562-7287 Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Eastern time. Pursuant to Florida Law, 110.211 F. S., the State of Florida is an EEO employer.#J-18808-Ljbffr