Virginia State Corporation Commission
The State Corporation Commission’s (“Commission” or “SCC”) Office of General Counsel (“OGC”) seeks a staff attorney to join its Utilities practice. Staff attorneys in OGC perform a wide range of legal activities and work very closely with internal clients (staff in the utilities divisions of the SCC). This attorney will represent and provide counsel to the Commission’s Divisions of Public Utility Regulation and Utility Accounting and Finance. On behalf of the above-referenced utilities divisions, the attorney selected for this position will: conduct formal proceedings before the Commission as staff counsel; research questions of law and interpret rulings; provide oral and written legal advice as requested; and prepare draft Commission orders, opinions, regulations, administrative procedures, memoranda, and correspondence. This position offers the opportunity to have significant responsibility over projects and complex matters, whether working independently or in a team-based environment with other attorneys in the Utilities practice and with staff in the Commission’s utilities divisions. This position includes direct contact and collaboration with senior staff in the utilities divisions and other divisions within the SCC, as well as communications with external stakeholders. The attorney selected for this position may assist the utilities divisions with legislative matters, including drafting, reviewing, and providing advice on proposed legislation. Additionally, this attorney may have the opportunity to participate with utilities staff in activities before the federal regulatory agencies and in cooperation with staff of regional alliances of utility commissions, such as the Organization of PJM States and the Mid-Atlantic Conference of Regulatory Utility Commissioners. This position offers a hybrid work schedule as well as training and professional development opportunities.
Qualifications
At a minimum, candidates must have graduated from an accredited law school by May 2025 and i) be a member of the Virginia State Bar, ii) be eligible for membership by motion, or (iii) successfully pass the next available bar examination.¿Some experience in utility, regulatory, and/or administrative law is preferred but not required.
Ideal candidates for this position will have the ability to: make oral presentations in adversarial proceedings; research questions of law and interpret rulings; draft legal memoranda, pleadings, and motions; and perform complex legal tasks while meeting deadlines. Excellent oral and written communication skills and the ability to work effectively both independently and as part of legal teams representing divisional clients are essential for success in this role. Time management skills, the ability to handle multiple projects, and the ability to meet deadlines are also critical to this position. Any experience with public utilities or knowledge of Virginia statutory authority and administrative law pertinent to areas of Commission regulation is a plus.