Description

We are looking for a talented high performing attorney with a minimum of 10 years of increasingly responsible experience to be our General Counsel to add value to our organizations. You will provide counsel to NOPEC leadership that will guide and inform decision making for NOPEC (an Ohio council of governments), and its affiliated non-profit organizations, NOPEC, Inc. (501c4) and NOPEC Foundation, Inc. (501c3). You will always operate within the law, provide counsel on legal issues, serve as an effective, trusted legal advisor for the organization(s), and assist NOPEC’s leadership in facilitating business strategies to best provide service to our member communities, businesses, and residential customers.

In addition, you will be expected to represent NOPEC before state and federal governmental regulatory authorities, including the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, and provide advice on all regulatory and state and federal legislative issues that affect NOPEC, its communities and our programs.

You will report directly to NOPEC’s Executive Director/CEO and will also provide legal advice and assistance to the NOPEC leadership team. You will provide legal advice and assist in legal communications with the Board of Directors of NOPEC, NOPEC Inc., and NOPEC Foundation Inc.

Core Values

• Integrity - Upholds the highest ethical standards in all legal and business matters. Protects organizational interests while ensuring transparency and compliance. Maintains strict confidentiality of sensitive information and demonstrates honesty in every interaction.
• Driven Team Player – Collaborates effectively with leadership and staff while demonstrating initiative in managing legal priorities.
• Intelligent with Sound Judgement – Provides clear, well-reasoned legal advice that balances compliance and organizational goals.
• Confident Leader & Thinker – Leads legal strategy with confidence and communicates complex issues in a clear, actionable manner.
• Humble and Flexible– Adapts to evolving regulations and organizational needs while remaining open to feedback and continuous improvement.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Illustrative duties may include, but are not restricted to, one or more of the following:

• Oversee all legal and regulatory compliance activities of the organizations.
• Coordinate hiring and oversee activities of outside counsel to ensure quality, consistency, cost-effectiveness and fair billing to the organizations.
• Serve as legal representative of the organization(s) to members and outside stakeholders.
• Deal with external parties, including but not limited to, state and federal regulators, external counsel, elected public officials, consultants, energy suppliers and utility companies as directed by the CEO.
• Attend Board and General Assembly meetings for all entities as required.
• Assist in preparation of board resolutions, review of all contracts and recommendations for Board actions for all business transacted in due course.
• Assist leadership in anticipating issues and estimate risk strategies, based on a high degree of ethics and integrity. Prepare, review, and negotiate legal documents and all contracts prior to execution to identify legal issues and mitigate risks.
• Oversee maintaining current internal organizational documents (e., Articles/Governing Documents, Code of Regulations, Bylaws) and required statutory compliance filings.
• Assist in review of internal organizational policies and procedures as needed.
• Assist in contractual issues related to the procurement of electricity and natural gas supply, development of renewable energy projects, including power purchase agreements, interconnection agreements, and financing for NOPEC’s programs.
• Review proposed rules and pending legislation and advise leadership of changes that may impact the organizations.
• Analyze, prioritize and complete multiple projects.

Other Skillsets & Responsibilities

• Excellent verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills to work professionally with our leadership team, staff, board members, member communities, regulatory agencies, other stakeholders and vendors.
• Possess a high degree of professionalism, ethics, and integrity.
• Prior experience in representing clients before the PUCO or another state utilities commission greatly preferred.
• Knowledge of federal and state energy markets, regulations and trends preferred.
• Knowledge of Ohio laws applicable to Ohio political subdivisions is desirable.
• Commitment to NOPEC’s mission and values.

Physical Requirements

• Sitting, standing and bending. 
• Ability to use office equipment including but not limited to office copier, shredder, computer equipment, audio/visual equipment.
• Ability to speak in a clear and easily comprehensible manner. 

Background

• Successful candidate will hold a bachelor’s degree and a J.D. degree and be a member of the Ohio Bar in good standing, or in good standing of another state and able to be admitted to the Ohio bar within 6-9 months.
• Have at least 12 years of legal experience with increasing responsibility in the energy/utilities industry, which can include experience with a relevant governmental or nonprofit agency, a law firm or a corporation, with a broad overview of how legal and financial issues affect organizations.
  
  

NOPEC Mission and Call to Service

• NOPEC is the largest governmental retail aggregation in the United States. We have over 249 member communities in 20 counties throughout northeast We exist for the sole purpose of serving our member communities and consumers.
• To fulfill this purpose, we aggregate, educate and advocate, maximizing the value we bring to our members.
• The NOPEC team members who help us fulfill this mission must be confident, thinking leaders who are both humble and flexible. We exist to serve and must be willing to put our shoulders to that service regardless of where, how and when the opportunity for service may present itself. We are driven team players, intelligent with sound judgement, who understand and forward the needs of the people and communities we serve and who roll up our sleeves to work both collectively and individually to live up to and exceed the expectations of the public we serve. 

Working Conditions

• Incumbent will work in a hybrid office environment. Incumbent should understand the expectation that this job periodically requires a 40+ hour per week commitment.
• Verification of identity, education, prior employment, and references may be required.
• We are a drug-free workplace, and an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.