WGL - Deputy General Counsel

Reporting to the Senior Vice President & General Counsel, this Senior Director role will be responsible for leading the regulatory legal team in matters before the utility commissions in the DC-Maryland-Virginia (DMV) region. The ideal candidate will have extensive administrative and civil litigation experience, including appellate practice, expertise in Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) matters, and a proven track record of successfully filing rate cases and other matters that create value for the Company. Additionally, the candidate should have experience managing and leading legal teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a team of attorneys and legal professionals responsible for regulatory proceedings before the utility commissions in the DMV region, ensuring high-quality work product, exemplary customer service and adherence to deadlines.

• Develop and implement regulatory strategies to achieve favorable outcomes for the company and minimizing regulatory risks.

• Represent the company in appellate proceedings before state and federal courts, including drafting appellate briefs, presenting oral arguments, and managing appellate litigation strategy.

• Provide legal counsel and expertise on FERC-related matters, including compliance with FERC regulations, filings, and enforcement actions.

• Collaborate with internal stakeholders, including finance, operations, and regulatory affairs teams, to gather relevant data and information to support regulatory filings and presentations.

• Conduct legal research and analysis on regulatory issues, statutes, and case law impacting the energy and utility industry, and provide strategic guidance to the legal and executive teams.

• Represent the company in negotiations and settlement discussions with regulatory staff, intervenors, and other parties in regulatory proceedings.

• Monitor regulatory developments and trends in the energy and utility industry, and advise senior management on potential impacts to the company's business operations and strategies.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 15 years of experience practicing law, with a focus on regulatory matters in the energy and utility industry within a corporate legal department or law firm.

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school and active membership in good standing with the bar of at least one jurisdiction required; admission to practice law in the DMV region preferred.

• License to practice law in the District of Columbia, Maryland or Virginia, and ability to waive into those jurisdictions if not currently licensed in all three.

• Extensive and successful first-chair experience before public utility commissions, ideally in the DMV region, ensuring high-quality work product and adherence to deadlines. Experience should include seeking appellate review of commission decisions, drafting crisp, persuasive appellate briefs, presenting oral arguments, and negotiating settlements.

• Expertise in Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) matters, including compliance, filings, and enforcement actions.

• Proven track record of preparing historical test year rate cases, multi-year rate plans, and navigating complex regulatory environments to achieve favorable outcomes for the company.

• Experience managing and leading legal teams, including assigning tasks, development of talent, evaluating performance.

• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to convey complex legal concepts and arguments effectively to diverse audiences.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to think strategically and develop creative solutions to complex regulatory challenges.

• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment, with a high degree of professionalism and integrity.