Intern - Legal (local government, labor/employment, administrative, regulatory, and utilities law)

Muscatine Power and Water - Summer Internship in the Legal Department

The Muscatine Power and Water (MPW) Legal Department Internship is suited to a first or second year law student that seeks to gain a better understanding of local government, labor/employment, administrative, regulatory, and utilities law. The summer experience will provide exposure to the in-house legal environment and will work with the General Counsel. The intern will have access to support and resources as needed and will have an opportunity for independent work.

MPW is the municipal utility for the community of Muscatine, IA. Our operations include the electric (local power plant/transmission and distribution), drinking water, and telecommunications (cable/Internet/phone) services.

MPW is also willing to work with students pursuing externship credit or placement through the ISBA's Rural Practice program.

Intern candidates must be willing and able to work in Muscatine, IA, which is a 30-40 minute drive from Iowa City, and located along the Mississippi River. Start and end dates are negotiable. Limited summer housing options are available in Muscatine, past interns have kept their Iowa City residence and commuted. The dress code is "dress for the day"- with jeans most days and business professional dress when necessary.

Job Description:

- Research and drafting on issues in the areas of municipal law, open records, regulatory/compliance, land use, employment/labor, contracts, environmental, legislative affairs, cybersecurity, and other topics as needed

- Assist with development of records retention policies and practices

- Facilitate and support legal related asks from internal stakeholders

- Opportunity for interaction with different business units and field visits

- Provide input and development on legal topics for internal training materials

Resources:

The Legal Intern will report to the General Counsel and be supported by the Executive Admin group, along with other internal stakeholders. In addition, all interns meet with their supervisors weekly to track/steer project progress, identify tasks and additional resources needed for upcoming work.

Time Frame:

The intern is projected to work 40 hours/week for 9-10 weeks, beginning in late May, but some time off can be scheduled within that time frame. MPW is open to considering a ½ or ¾ time schedule for this role. Scheduling could work around summer classes.

Outcomes for the Intern:

Develop an understanding of how a municipal utility's Legal Department operates through a hands on learning opportunity; development of work product and writing samples.

Qualifications:

- Working towards a Juris Doctor degree, be in good standing with their legal program.

- Attention to detail.

- Ability to be professional and confidential.

- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

- Excellent interpersonal and listening skills, with ability to build productive professional relationships.

- Ability to work as a team.

- Must be able to attend work on a regular basis for the duration of the internship.