Senior Counsel, Regulatory

Summary

Spire is hiring Senior Counsel to support Spire's Regulatory efforts from our downtown St. Louis (MO) offices. This position is primarily responsible for providing legal representation of Spire Missouri Inc. in regulatory matters before the Missouri Public Service Commission, including independent responsibility and leadership of certain docketed cases where appropriate. This position may also oversee legal regulatory matters for Spire Alabama Inc., Spire Gulf Inc. and Spire Mississippi Inc. before their respective public service commissions. When necessary, this position will also represent the gas utilities in appeals of public service commission orders. This position is additionally responsible for providing, as requested, representation of the gas utilities before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, including associated appellate litigation in the federal courts of appeals. Finally, this position will assist in the defense and prosecution of civil litigation and transactional matters, as needed.

Duties and Responsibilities

- Providing direct legal representation of Spire’s gas utilities regarding state regulatory matters, primarily before the Missouri Public Service Commission, including independently leading certain docketed cases where appropriate. When appropriate, provide direct legal representation or supervise outside counsel on behalf of Spire’s gas utilities in matters. This may include developing and implementing litigation strategy and tactics; preparing or reviewing pleadings, protests, motions, data requests, comments and other filings; researching statutory and case law as necessary, supervising witness and expert testimony preparation; developing settlement strategy and negotiating settlements when appropriate; representing Spire entities or supervising the representation of Spire entities at evidentiary hearings and settlement conferences; preparing or supervising the preparation of post-hearing briefs; and preparing or supervising preparation of appellate briefs and oral arguments on appeal.

- This position will be responsible for representing Spire Missouri in regulatory matters including general rate cases, Infrastructure System Replacement Surcharge (ISRS) filings, purchased gas adjustments, financing authority, accounting authority, certificates of convenience & necessity (CCNs), formal complaint cases, waiver and variance requests, Staff investigations, and workshops, and rulemakings. This includes primary independent responsibility for formal complaints, waiver and variance requestscases, CCN applicationss, , gas cost and weather normalization filings, ISRS cases, municipal acquisitions, utility plant asset purchases and sales, and tariff maintenance filings.

- When appropriate, this position may assist in managing representation or providing direct legal representation of Spire entities before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, including representing Spire entities at the FERC, directly, or through outside counsel, in matters involving the gas utilities’ interstate pipeline suppliers, including preparation and/or review of interventions in and protests of pipeline rate, tariff and certificate matters.

- Provide legal advice and counsel to all departments with regard to compliance with regulations, Commission orders, statutory and case law as it applies to regulatory requirements.

- Provide quality legal advice and counsel in a timely manner to senior management and all departments as requested.

- Regular attendance is considered an essential job function.

- Keep abreast of federal and state regulatory policies affecting the gas and energy industry.

- Participation, as time permits, in trade association committee and bar association activities related to FERC and state public utility commission regulation.

- Perform research and continue legal education to stay current with statutes, case law and regulatory policies governing the energy industry.

Essential Characteristics

- Ability to present and conduct contested cases (first chair)

- Ability to analyze the value of positions taken in administrative proceedings

- Ability to negotiate favorable settlements for the companies

- Ability to select appropriate expert witnesses

- Ability to prepare witnesses for deposition or hearing in an administrative setting

- Ability to analyze legal questions and produce legal documents, including trial and appellate briefs

- Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing

- Ability to establish effective interpersonal business relationships with business partners, counterparties, commission staff personnel and co-workers

- Ability to cooperate and foster an atmosphere of cooperation and team work

- Ability to think strategically, with strong business acumen

Supervisory Responsibilities

- Supervises outside legal counsel where appropriate, and provides leadership and guidance to Regulatory Department personnel

Required Education (certifications, licenses)

- A law degree from an American Bar Association-accredited law school

- License to practice law in the State of Missouri or ability and willingness to become a member of the Missouri Bar

Required knowledge, skill and abilities

- Experience working in the regulated energy business, and in particular working with regulated public utilities, is strongly preferred

- Either at least three years’ experience practicing before a state utility commission or the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, or at least three years’ general civil litigation experience

- Strong legal advocacy and writing skills

- Knowledge of public utility law

- Knowledge of energy law

- Knowledge of administrative law

- Strong writing and advocacy skills

- Strong problem solving and decision-making skills

- Strong project management skills would be a plus

- Experience with personal injury, Workers’ Compensation, or commercial litigation a plus

- Experience drafting and negotiating easements, leases, or similar property interests a plus

- Knowledge of natural gas distribution or transmission systems a plus

Physical demands, environment and schedule

- Work is normally performed in a shared, open-office environment. Hybrid in- office/ remote work schedule.

- Work hours are typically 8:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, with occasional periods requiring extended hours. Maybe required to work on holidays several times a year. Some night and weekend work may be required during periods of litigation, negotiation, or during the performance of other large projects

- Occasional travel is required to Jefferson City, MO, and throughout the State of Missouri. Travel to Montgomery, AL, Jackson, MS, Nashville, TN, and Washington D.C. may be required.

Company Overview

We are committed to understanding the needs of the homes and businesses we serve. That's why we're always looking for driven, collaborative people to join our team. Because we believe that offering our customers the best service means bringing together the best people.

And we find the best by hiring those who share our values of safety, inclusion and integrity, and demonstrate the competencies that bring the Spire vision, mission and culture to life:

- Adaptability: We embrace change, continuously seeking opportunities for improvement while remaining open-minded and flexible in response to evolving conditions and customer, stakeholder and company needs.

- Collaboration: We achieve more together through a foundation of respect, embracing healthy conflict, actively seeking and providing actionable feedback and fostering an environment where everyone’s input is welcomed.

- Ownership: We see things through, demonstrate accountability, honor commitments, take responsibility for outcomes and demonstrate initiative.

By living our values and competencies, we strive to create an environment where employees feel welcome, respected and valued.

Posting Requirements

- We accept online applications through our career site at jobs.spireenergy.com

Disclaimer: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature of the level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each duty and responsibility satisfactorily. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Spire Inc., and its subsidiaries are an Affirmative Action and Equal Employment Opportunity employer