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CenterPoint Energy · 1 day ago

Director and Associate General Counsel

Houston, TX

Full-time

Onsite

Director/Executive

10+ years exp

CenterPoint Energy is a longstanding utility company committed to delivering electricity and natural gas. They are seeking an experienced senior attorney to manage personal injury and property damage claims, oversee litigation, and ensure compliance with natural gas regulations.

EnergyLogisticsNatural ResourcesOil and Gas

Responsibilities

Responsibilities will include managing personal injury and property damage claims and litigation in multiple states/jurisdictions involving the Company’s personnel or facilities, general business and commercial litigation, etc., including advising Company management and employees in connection with such claims and litigation; advising on insurance issues related to the foregoing; retaining and managing outside counsel as needed; and developing overall litigation strategy and tactics for effective litigation resolution

Responsible for other litigation-related matters as assigned, including handling or assisting on various types of general litigation claims; advising on legislative initiatives; preparing and delivering legal training and other presentations; and providing any other legal service related to litigation, disputes, and general Company operations

Provide timely assessments and updates on personal injury, property damage, and other matters for legal department management

Responsible for preparation of litigation reports to Board, management, auditors, and others; conducting trend analysis, key performance indicators and other metrics; and administration and enhancement of litigation processes and procedures

Must possess strong working knowledge of general litigation in state and federal courts, including pleadings, discovery (including e-discovery), motion practice, experts, and trials, and be able to understand and navigate related regulatory issues

Must possess strong working knowledge of DOT/PHMSA and other federal and state regulations applicable to natural gas transmission, distribution, and storage operations

Advise Natural Gas Business management, compliance, and operations personnel on new and changing regulations, interpretation of regulations and statutes, and impact on the Company, and be able to understand and navigate related regulatory issues

Advise and counsel internal company departments and business units on matters within area of responsibility or as assigned

Develop, coordinate, and provide training on operational, regulatory compliance, and litigation risks to the business and other functions, and collaborate with other departments to prevent, identify, investigate, and resolve such issues, and take appropriate corrective and preventative actions

Keep the department company updated and advised on general legal issues and best practices

Direct and manage other internal counsel or non-attorney personnel as assigned

Able to demonstrate and apply superior analytical ability, and work with confidential information, materials and files in an appropriate, professional and discrete manner

Participate in and leading legal department strategy, initiatives, and projects

Participate in mandatory emergency operations plan procedures

Able to work independently and manage a high volume of matters at any given time, working well under pressure, successfully handling and prioritizing multiple competing assignments, and effectively managing deadlines

Interacting with, and establishing the respect and confidence of, senior business leaders and members of business functions

Demonstrating strong leadership ability and conflict resolution skills

Excel at written and oral communication and have sound negotiation, presentation, and interpersonal skills, and be able to use communication skills (oral and written) and interpersonal skills to express opinions effectively, convey information in an appropriate manner and communicate clearly, effectively and persuasively

Demonstrating ability as a business-oriented problem solver and a flexible team player, with ability to partner across departments in order to provide legal support that will enable teams to do business effectively

Analyzing complex matters and proposing creative and practical solutions

Demonstrating professionalism, judgment, personal integrity, and confidentiality

Demonstrating a commitment to pro bono and community activities strongly preferred

Handling other litigation-related and other legal responsibilities as assigned

Qualification

Complex litigationNatural gas regulationsRegulatory complianceLegal trainingAnalytical abilityLeadership skillsNegotiation skillsInterpersonal skillsProblem-solving

Required

Undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university

J.D. (doctor of jurisprudence) degree from an accredited law school

Admitted to practice in the State of Texas

At least 10 years of relevant litigation and/or regulatory compliance experience in a law firm or as in-house counsel

Strong working knowledge of general litigation in state and federal courts, including pleadings, discovery (including e-discovery), motion practice, experts, and trials

Strong working knowledge of DOT/PHMSA and other federal and state regulations applicable to natural gas transmission, distribution, and storage operations

Ability to advise Natural Gas Business management, compliance, and operations personnel on new and changing regulations

Ability to develop, coordinate, and provide training on operational, regulatory compliance, and litigation risks

Ability to work independently and manage a high volume of matters at any given time

Strong leadership ability and conflict resolution skills

Excellent written and oral communication skills

Ability to analyze complex matters and propose creative and practical solutions

Demonstrating professionalism, judgment, personal integrity, and confidentiality