Assistant Attorney General – PUC Litigation

The Public Utilities Commission (PUC) Litigation Unit is looking for an energetic attorney to serve as litigation counsel to the Trial Staff of the Public Utilities Commission. The Unit’s cases involve important cutting-edge Colorado environmental issues concerning renewable solar and wind energy as well as electric vehicle infrastructure and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. The Unit’s cases also involve litigation of PUC transportation matters concerning the safety and insurance oversight of passenger carriers for hire, towing, household good movers, and common carriers.  The attorney will be part of a collaborative 8-person team that appears in litigated proceedings before the Commission’s administrative law judges and Commissioners sitting en banc working with Trial Staff to help ensure fair utility rates for all types of customers. Ideal candidates possess a team-focused enthusiasm for the written and oral litigation process at the administrative law level who are willing to learn the unique nuances of PUC-specific litigation while working alongside their new Unit colleagues on innovative energy law issues, including the deployment of renewable energy resources in Colorado, and protecting public safety in regulated transportation cases.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

The PUC Litigation Unit, which is part of the Revenue & Utilities section, has a caseload which focuses on energy law (gas and electric utilities litigation) and transportation matters (transportation for hire, towing, movers, and common carriers). Attorneys occasionally work on telecommunications, railroad, and gas pipeline safety cases, too. The selected attorney will handle a diverse caseload, typically partnered with one or two other attorneys in the Unit, and occasionally, may handle cases solo.  A portion of the selected attorney’s caseload will concern PUC transportation matters as the Unit absorbs transportation cases previously litigated by a different Unit.

The Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC) regulates the rates, charges, services, and facilities of public utilities within Colorado. Our attorneys work with Trial Staff (e.g., engineers, accountants, rate analysts, transportation investigators, and economists) in all aspects of the PUC’s unique litigation process including: preparing and filing interventions; drafting and propounding discovery requests; working with Trial Staff to produce pre-filed testimony; preparing responses to discovery requests; preparing for evidentiary hearings (including witness preparation); performing direct examinations; cross-examining witnesses; writing post-hearing statements of position; drafting exceptions to decisions; and negotiating settlement agreements. Throughout these stages, our attorneys are actively involved in strategy discussions with co-counsel and Trial Staff. Litigated matters before the PUC in energy law matters are document intensive, detailed, technical, and can sometimes involve more than a half dozen other parties and their legal counsel. These proceedings involve not only utility rates and ratemaking, but also matters concerning the implementation of Colorado’s clean energy goals. Litigated matters before the PUC in transportation matters often concern hearings against a single defendant, many appearing pro se, but can also be complex, involving multiple defendants or regulated companies.  The Unit is made up of seven attorneys and an administrative assistant, all of whom typically devote 100% of their time to cases before the PUC.

Salary note: Although a salary range is listed, salary will be set commensurate with the successful candidate’s qualifications and in compliance with the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act.

At a minimum, applicants must:

• Be admitted to the Colorado bar or be clearly eligible to waive into the Colorado Bar and be in good standing at the time of application. Candidates eligible to waive into the Colorado Bar will be required to submit proof of their completed application and application for Practice Pending Admission before the first day of employment. For more information about admission to the Colorado bar please review information on the Colorado Supreme Court Office of Attorney Regulation Counsel.

Further, while we know that no candidate is perfect, we are seeking applicants that have most of the following attributes:

• A minimum of three years of practice as a litigation attorney is preferred
• Strong litigation abilities, including legal writing, oral argument, client counseling, cross-examination, legal strategy, and settlement negotiation
• Knowledge of or strong interest in energy law, Colorado public utilities law, Colorado administrative law, and/or environmental law/issues (e.g., solar, wind, electric vehicles and charging infrastructure, clean energy, renewable energy, social cost of carbon, and greenhouse gas reduction)
• Ability to assume diverse caseload with moderate supervision and have good judgment as to when to consult teammates and supervisors
• A well-developed ability to work collaboratively with a variety of people
• Self-starter who is eager to learn and develop professionally
• Excellent self-awareness and judgment
• Well-developed client service and interpersonal skills
• Passion for producing excellent work product and keen attention to detail
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and public service

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Applicants must pass a thorough background investigation prior to appointment.