Attorney II

The responsibilities of this job will provide legal counsel to the City of Lubbock, acting by and through Lubbock Power & Light (LP&L), defend the interests of LP&L through preventative law and litigation, draft and negotiate contracts, manage compliance with energy and utility regulations, obtain and enforce easements, land title, rights of way, eminent domain, real estate, cybersecurity and data privacy, ensure that the day-to-day operations of LP&L are legally responsible, provide legal advice necessary for making sound legislative and administrative decisions, and enter into contracts binding LP&L. This position reports to the General Counsel of LP&L.

Office Practice (60%)

Draft and review contracts, proposed ordinances, resolutions, legal?opinions and other legal documents in the areas identified in the summary, among others.??Correspond and conference with opposing parties.??Communicate and collaborate with elected and appointed officials of LP&L, City, and City staff regarding?legal implications of policy formulation and implementation.? Research and analyze and ensure compliance with federal and state statutes, case law, and administrative regulations.

Litigation/Regulatory (5%)

Review and craft pleadings, briefs, and other submissions to the courts and administrative agencies.??Research and analyze facts, legal positions, and relevant case law and statutory authority in support of LP&L's position.? Attend and participate in hearings in state and federal court and before administrative agencies, including ERCOT and PUC, and American Public Power and Texas Public Power conferences.? Supervise LP&L staff responses to discovery inquiries by opposing counsel.? Correspond and conference with opposing parties and/or attorneys. Attend and participate in the trials and pre-trial conferences and depositions of cases in state and federal courts of law.? Prepare and argue appeals in state and federal courts of law. Monitor legislative activity of state and federal legislative bodies for?proposals affecting or of interest to the electric utility of the City of Lubbock.? Upon request, draft comments for legislative?committees on behalf of the electric utility of the City of Lubbock.

Offer advice and counsel (15%)

Attend Electric Utility Board and City Council meetings, to ensure compliance with applicable laws, and to provide legal?advice as needed.? Interact with appointed and elected and?staff, offering legal advice and collaboration to find creative and legal solutions to complex problems.? ?Attend staff meetings to serve as support on matters involving legal opinion.? Provide legal advice and support in connection with all legal issues facing LP&L.

Professional Development and Office Management (5%)

Maintain state licensure through completion of minimum continuing legal?education requirements.? Review and evaluate software packages and library/office resources.? Coordinate schedule with others?in the office as to maintain optimal coverage.

In-house Parliamentarian (10%)

Attend Electric Utility Board meetings to ensure adherence to rules of parliamentary procedure, due process and applicable laws.? Attend meetings of citizen governing and advisory boards to ensure compliance with Open Meetings Act, parliamentary procedure, and?due process.

Compliance with Open Records Act (5%)

Process Open Records Requests and ensure compliance with the Open Records Act through GovQA. Communicate with the Office of the Attorney General regarding public record requests and confidential or privileged information. ??

Additional Duties: Performs related work as assigned.

Graduation from an accredited law school with a J.D. or L.L.B. degree and licensed to practice before all courts of the State of Texas with an additional five years of responsible experience in the practice of law in the State of Texas.

Required

• Licensed Attorney (Texas)
• Texas Driver’s License
  
  

Preferred:

• Admission to Federal Court (northern District of Texas)
• Admission to Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals
• Experience in application of City Ordinances of home-rule municipalities
  
  

Knowledge Of

• Legal research methods, legal practices and procedures.
• Municipal law, including Open Meetings and Open Records Acts.
• Real estate, land title, easements, rights of way, and eminent domain.
• Labor & employment law.
• Utility/Energy industry.
  
  

Ability/Skills To

• Engage in detailed legal research and writing, without relying on AI;
• Communicate effectively with others, both orally and in writing;
• Develop and maintain positive and effective working relationships with others within the organization;
• Excellent contract drafting and negotiating skills;
• Work autonomously with little supervision;
• Take ownership of work and proactively seek solutions.
  
  

Physical Requirements

• Frequently lift and carry up to 10 pounds; Occasionally lift and carry up to 25 pounds;
• Occasionally flex upper trunk forward at the waist and partially at the knees; Place arms above, at, and below shoulder height.