General Counsel

Work for Indiana

Begin a fulfilling career with the State of Indiana by joining one of the largest employers in the state, offering a range of opportunities across 60+ agencies. At the state, you'll find competitive compensation, a robust benefits package and a commitment to work-life balance. Most importantly, you'll have the chance to make a real and measurable impact on the lives of Hoosiers across Indiana.

About The Indiana Office Of Utility Consumer Counselor (OUCC)

The OUCC’s mission is to represent all Indiana consumers to ensure quality, reliable utility services at the most reasonable prices possible through dedicated advocacy, consumer education and creative problem solving. For more information about the OUCC, visit the website at www.in.gov/oucc , on Twitter at https://twitter.com/IndianaOUCC , or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/IndianaOUCC .

Role Overview

The General Counsel is a key leader at the Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor. You will set the direction and future of the legal department, provide legal advice, counsel, and present updates to the Utility Consumer Counselor. All activities will support the agency’s mission, strategic goals, and objectives. This role is the agency's second-most-senior legal officer.

The General Counsel

• Serves as a member of the Executive Team and represents the UCC in his/her absence.
• Oversees the management of all legal operations and coordinates all regulatory and legal processes before all fora in which the OUCC appears on behalf of Indiana consumers.
• Ensures the satisfactory completion of all legal tasks in regard to all regulatory and legal proceedings.
  
  

Salary

The salary for this position traditionally starts at $116,381 and may be commensurate with education or work experience.

Use our Compensation Calculator to view the total compensation package.

A Day In The Life

The duties and responsibilities listed below describe the general nature and scope of work. Other responsibilities, obligations, and skills may be required and assigned as needed.

Chief Legal Advisor

• Serve as the principal legal advisor to the Agency Head and executive leadership.
• Provide strategic legal counsel on policy development, regulatory implementation, and operational matters.
• Interpret and advise on applicable federal and state statutes, regulations, executive orders, and administrative rules.
  
  

Legal Strategy and Risk Management

• Identify and assesses legal risks affecting the agency.
• Develop strategies to mitigate risk and ensure legal compliance.
• Establish internal controls and policies to promote adherence to applicable laws and ethical standards.
• Maintain open lines of communication and coordinate activities and strategies among all agency divisions.
  
  

Litigation Oversight

• Direct and manage litigation involving the agency, including administrative, and to the extent appropriate, civil and appellate matters.
• Serve as the single point of contact for the Indiana Attorney General’s Office in appeals of Orders from the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission to the Appellate Courts, as well as other civil litigation involving the OUCC.
• Coordinate with the State Attorney General’s Office and outside counsel as appropriate.
• Oversee responses to claims, subpoenas, and other legal actions.
• Evaluate settlement opportunities and recommend action to executive leadership.
• Work with attorneys outside the agency, state and federal agencies, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, and other persons/organizations as directed by the Utility Consumer Counselor.
  
  

Regulatory and Administrative Law

• Oversee rulemaking and administrative procedures.
• Ensure compliance with state administrative procedure acts and open meetings involving public records laws.
• Represent the agency in administrative hearings and regulatory proceedings.
  
  

Executive, Legislative Affairs and Policy Guidance

• Work with the Governor's General Counsel for related reporting
• Monitor and analyze proposed legislation impacting the agency.
• Advise leadership on legal implications of legislative proposals and enacted laws.
• Assist in drafting legislation and amendments in coordination with legislative staff and policymakers.
  
  

Contracts and procurement

• Oversee drafting, negotiation, review, and approval of contracts, grants, memoranda of understanding, and procurement documents.
• Ensures compliance with state procurement laws and funding requirements.
• Provide guidance for contract disputes and vendor performance issues.
  
  

Employment and Labor Law

• Advise on personnel matters, including disciplinary actions, grievances, workplace investigations, and employment policies.
• Ensure compliance with state and federal employment laws and civil service rules.
• Provide counsel on equal employment opportunity, discrimination, and workplace safety issues.
  
  

Governance and Ethics

• Act as the OUCC’s Ethics Officer and pre-deprivation officer; advise agency leadership on governance responsibilities and fiduciary duties.
• Ensure compliance with state ethics laws, conflict-of-interest standards, and transparency requirements.
• Oversee ethics training and compliance initiatives within the agency.
  
  

Public Records and Open Government Compliance

• Serve as the OUCC's privacy officer.
• Process APRA requests.
• Provide guidance on records retention requirements.
• Review and approve responses to high-profile or sensitive records requests.
  
  

Internal Investigations and Compliance

• Oversee internal investigations involving legal, regulatory, or ethical concerns.
• Advise on corrective actions and policy revisions as necessary.
• Coordinate with external oversight bodies, auditors, and inspectors general.
  
  

Leadership and Management

• Direct and supervise the agency’s legal division, including attorneys and support staff.
• Develop departmental goals, performance standards, and professional development plans.
• Manage the legal services budget and outside counsel expenditure.
• Ultimate Supervisor to the attorneys in the Agency’s Legal and Federal Divisions by directing attorneys to establish priorities, gather information through data requests, case team input and other research methods, to combine resources that will create persuasive work products such as testimony, pleadings, briefs, as well as discovery responses.
• Evaluate staff performance by providing feedback on a regular basis and reviewing adherence to agency policies, procedures and deadlines to ensure efficiency and effectiveness of division activities.
  
  

Public and Intergovernmental Representation

• Represent the agency in meetings with other state agencies, federal partners, legislators, and stakeholders.
• Provide legal guidance during public hearings and legislative testimony.
• Serve as a key advisor during crisis response and emergency situations.
  
  

Confidentiality and Integrity

• Maintain the highest standards of confidentiality, professionalism, and ethical conduct.
• Ensure protection of privileged and sensitive information.
• Perform all related duties as required to meet the established goals and objectives of the agency.
  
  

Credentials

What You'll Need for Success:

• Doctor of Jurisprudence degree.
• Admission in good standing with the Indiana State Bar Association.
• Litigation experience is required.
  
  

Additional Qualifications

• Knowledge of utility/regulatory practices and procedures.
• Knowledge of utility law or a related field, administrative law, employment law, and the Indiana Rules of Trial Procedure and Indiana Rules of Evidence.
• Prior supervisory experience in a legal setting with proven ability to implement policy.
• Superior communication skills, both orally and in writing.
• Able to prepare highly competent and professional written and oral presentations.
• Excellent organizational and leadership skills and the ability to work productively with limited supervision and in a collaborative setting.
• Able to perform essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation.
  
  

This position is exempt from overtime compensation for additional work hours which may be required to complete essential functions or other assigned work. Exempt employees may work more than 75 hours in a pay period without additional compensation and must report a minimum of 75 hours per pay period of work hours and/or paid leave taken to receive their base biweekly salary.

Supervisory Responsibilities/Direct Reports

This role provides direct supervision for two or more attorneys.

Benefits Of Employment With The State Of Indiana

The State of Indiana offers a comprehensive benefits package for full-time employees that includes:

• Three (3) medical plan options (including RX coverage) as well as vision and dental plans
• Wellness Rewards Program: Complete wellness activities to earn gift card rewards
• Health savings account, which includes bi-weekly state contribution
• Deferred compensation 457(b) account (similar to 401(k) plan) with employer match
• Two (2) fully-funded pension plan options
• A robust, comprehensive program of leave policies covering a variety of employee needs, including but not limited to:
  • 150 hours of paid New Parent Leave and up to eight weeks of paid Childbirth Recovery Leave for eligible mothers
  • Up to 15 hours of paid community service leave
  • Combined 180 hours of paid vacation, personal, and sick leave time off
  • 12 paid holidays, 14 in election years
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Group life insurance
• Referral Bonus program
• Employee assistance program that allows for covered behavioral health visits
• Qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
• Free Parking for most positions
• Free LinkedIn Learning access
  

Equal Employment Opportunity

The State of Indiana is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to recruiting, selecting, developing, and promoting employees based on individual ability and job performance. Reasonable accommodations may be available to enable individuals with disabilities to complete the application and interview process as well as perform the essential functions of a role. If you require reasonable accommodations to complete this application, you can request assistance by contacting the Indiana State Personnel Department at [email protected] .