Position Summary:

This is an entry level position. Prosecutes and defends civil lawsuits, drafts and negotiates transactional legal documents, provides written and oral advice to employer and utility staff as to legal rights and issues. Reviews policies and other documents. Performs legal research on various subject matters.

Essential Functions:

• Advises employer concerning the legality and liability associated with business transactions, claim liability, advisability of prosecuting or defending lawsuits, and other legal rights and obligations.

• Conducts witness interviews and investigations.

• Evaluates findings, recommends strategy, and prepares legal arguments.

• Keeps updated on statutes, judicial decisions, regulations, and ordinances.

• Conducts all work under the supervision of the General Counsel or Deputy General Counsel.

• Interprets laws, rulings, and regulations.

• Prepares, files, and argues legal motions and briefs.

• Prepares and drafts legal documents, such as deeds, easements, leases, and contracts.

• Prepares opinions on legal compliance.

• Represents employer in court, quasi-judicial bodies, or before governmental agencies.

• Drafts corporate policy documents.

• Advises employer and internal clients.

• Performs multiple tasks efficiently as to meet deadlines.

• Other duties as assigned by supervisor.

• Expected to comply with all BWL policies and work rules.

• Reliable and predictable attendance.

Job Specifications:

Required:

• Bachelor's degree and Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school.

• Must be member in good standing of the Michigan State Bar.

• General knowledge of municipal law, utility law and administrative law.

• Must possess and apply a broad knowledge of legal matters and the law to the completion of assignments.

• Knowledge and ability to prepare and file motions, briefs, and memoranda, as well as appear in court on behalf of employer.

• Strong writing and interpersonal skills, as well as the ability to multitask under tight time constraints.

• Must be proficient in the use of Microsoft Word.

• Fundamental Legal Writing Skills  

• Experience conducting legal and computer-assisted legal research.

• Outstanding interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate effectively at all organizational levels.

• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

• Ability to exercise exceptional discretion and confidentiality.

• Ability to enter and retrieve data from computerized, typed, and written sources.

• Ability to interact with governmental agencies.

Preferred:

• Prior experience practicing law.

• Familiarity with laws, statutes, regulations, and ordinances governing public entities.

• Prior experience in areas of law relevant to energy, government or business (e.g., administrative, employment, or environmental law).

Additional Responsibilities & Requirements:

Associate Attorney II:

In addition to this level: This is an intermediate level position requiring prior experience and the ability to perform duties and responsibilities of the position with a moderate level of supervision and oversight. Represents employer in court or before quasi-judicial tribunals or administrative agencies of government.

Essential Functions:

• Coordinates, as needed, under supervision of the General Counsel or Deputy General Counsel.

Required:

• This intermediate level position requires a minimum of four years of post-bar admission legal experience.

• Experience in areas of law relevant to energy, government, or business, e.g. administrative, employment or environmental law.

• Increasing ability to operate independently of supervision; demonstrated expertise in one or more areas of law (e.g. employment, contract, litigation); manage all the tasks within that area of expertise. Must possess and apply a broad knowledge of legal matters and the law to the completion of assignments.

• Knowledge and ability to prepare and file motions, briefs, and memoranda, as well as appear in court on behalf of employer.

• Strong writing and interpersonal skills, as well as the ability to multitask under tight time constraints.

• Experience conducting legal and computer- assisted legal research.

• Additional requirements as listed on the full description.

Physical Requirements / Working Conditions:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Must be able to remain in a stationary position for the majority of the working day. The person in this position needs to move about inside the office environment. Constantly operates a computer and other office equipment. Ability to adjust focus, especially due to concentration on a computer screen. Must communicate frequently with other departments and employees both verbally and in writing. May need to lift and carry up to 30 pounds and/or position the body to reach items on the floor/ below the knee level or reach above head. On occasion, may need to use stairs.

Constantly works in a temperature-controlled office environment.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this position. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities and skills that may be required of the employee. Management reserves the right to add, remove, or otherwise alter these duties, responsibilities, and skills at any time.