Lawyers in the CPUC’s Legal Division both litigate and advise on matters as varied as:
- Just and reasonable utility rates
- The safety, reliability, and resiliency of utility infrastructure, including cybersecurity
- Climate change, renewable energy, and achieving California's goal of 100% zero-carbon electricity by 2045
- Internet neutrality
- Phone service quality, 9-1-1 reliability, and universal communications service
- Safe drinking water and water conservation efforts
- Environmental justice, equity for Disadvantaged Communities, and non-discriminatory service
- Vehicle Electrification and Building Decarbonization
- Transportation Network Companies such as Uber and Lyft
- Autonomous Vehicle Companies such as Waymo and Zoox
- Rail and transit safety
- Environmental protection
- Civil enforcement
- Government law, such as the Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act, Public Records Act, and the Political Reform Act
- Employment and public contracting law
- Many other consumer protection responsibilities
Under direction from an Assistant Chief Public Utilities Counsel or on some occasions, under case direction from senior counsel:
Attorneys are expected to handle a multitude of projects, involving either litigation, appellate or advisory assignments. Typical tasks may include: acting as staff counsel in general rate cases, investigations and enforcement, and other administrative proceedings before the Commission; directing the preparation of the case to be presented on behalf of the Commission’s staff, and serving as counsel for the staff advocating positions at public hearings in such proceedings; reviewing applications for the rehearing of Commission decisions and assessing whether legal error has been demonstrated; defending Commission decisions when appealed. In addition, incumbent may handle a variety of advisory tasks including: providing legal advice in the preparation of drafts of Commission decisions and orders; advising Commissioners, Administrative Law Judges, and staff on legal problems in connection with regulatory statutes and orders, rules, and regulations of the Commission; representing the Commission and the State before Federal and State courts and administrative agencies.
