Sr Attorney

Join the diverse and dynamic team that powers Michigan's largest energy provider and one of the nation's largest gas and electric combination utilities. Consumers Energy services 6.8 million of Michigan's 10 million residents - caring for our friends and neighbors in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties. We embrace a cleaner and leaner utility vision focused on eliminating energy waste and adding renewable energy from sources such as wind and solar.

Location:

This position is hybrid (virtual/onsite) with onsite requirements on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday assigned to One Energy Plaza located in Jackson, MI (remote opportunity may be considered as well). The selected candidate must be within commutable distance from the location or willing to relocate (relocation package available for those who qualify).

We are looking for:Sr Attorney - Transactions Practice Group

We are seeking a highly motivated Senior Principal Attorney for a dynamic role in the Transactions and Employment Section of the legal department for Consumers Energy. The Lead Principal Attorney leads large business transactions, including asset sales and purchases, purchases of renewable energy projects, and major construction contracts. The Lead Principal Attorney also handles matters related to routine procurement, consulting, software, IT, and other contracts for Consumers Energy.

The Senior Attorney provides legal advice and recommendations to executives and management regarding matters of complexity which have or may have a material impact on the business. The Senior Attorney is considered an expert in their legal practice area. The Senior Attorney works independently and with others with a base of regular clients and partners with those clients to meet their legal needs and goals and helps those clients develop strategies important to the business. The incumbent will research legal principles and precedents, draft and execute legal documents, and gather relevant case related information using multiple sources and methods, with the matters occasionally requiring consultation with outside counsel and experts. The Senior Attorney has the skills, experience, initiative, and demeanor to serve as a leader within the Company and the Legal Department, advising and assisting other attorneys, including attorneys with less experience.

The knowledge and skills involved with this position include but are not limited to:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Practice area expert and leader of cases or projects of moderate- to high-complexity
• Has demonstrated dependability as an Attorney
• Ability to handle multiple projects, and the ability to meet competing deadlines
• Knowledge of State and federal laws and regulations in legal specialty
• Ability to analyze and, through appropriate inquiry, develop facts and provide advice on the applicable law

We encourage you to apply if you have:

• Juris Doctor degree with a minimum of four (4) years of experience as an attorney with a law firm and/or as in-house counsel preferably with leadership and legal experience in utility, energy, or other related businesses
• Admission to Michigan's or other acceptable jurisdiction's state bar is required

In this role, you will:

• Lead large business transactions, including asset sales and purchases, purchases of renewable energy projects, and major construction contracts
• Provide expert level support for routine procurement, consulting, software, IT, and other contracts for Consumers Energy
• Provide legal advice to clients by conducting legal research, keeps clients informed of developments in the relevant practice subject areas, explains legal concepts, develops strategies to mitigate legal risk
• Serve as leader and advisor, leading cases or projects and providing legal counsel on a broad range of significant corporate and business matters as applicable to their practice area
• Handles all aspects of work, including, by way of example, project management, drafting and negotiating contracts and agreements, managing litigation or regulatory matters (e.g., drafting discovery and legal pleadings, briefs, attending hearings), advising on corporate and governance issues, and handling less complex mergers and acquisitions
• Proactively identify, assess, and manage legal risks associated with the company's business activities
• Assist with the development and implementation of policies and procedures designed to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations
• Represents the company externally in matters such as negotiations, regulatory or court proceedings, or meetings with customers or other stakeholders
• Conducts training for co-workers on various legal topics and advise/assist less experienced attorneys
• Provides direction to other professional, paraprofessional and support staff in developing solutions to problems presented
• When appropriate, manages outside counsel and legal vendors

Why should you join our team?

At Consumers Energy, we offer more than just a place to work. We foster a culture that supports career development, growth, and stability, and we take pride in offering our co-workers excellent benefits and compensation packages. We are deliberately creating an inclusive culture that makes our diverse team of co-workers feel valued, supported, and empowered every day. We're a company made up of thousands of people, all with different stories to share and work to do, but we stand united in our company purpose: world class performance delivering hometown service.

What we offer:

• Competitive compensation packages
• Medical, Dental and Vision
• 401k with company match
• Paid parental leave
• Up to 13 paid Holidays
• Paid time off
• Educational Assistance Program

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion:

We, at CMS Energy, value Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion. It is part of our DNA. We treat our employees with respect, we treat each other fairly and we value the opinions of others. We are passionate about building and nurturing an environment where everyone feels included. We don't discriminate. We seek to learn about each other and better understand our unique differences. Our uniqueness makes us authentic. We create safe spaces where everyone can be who they truly are. We invite difficult conversations and uncomfortable topics. We value diverse perspectives; this is what makes us great together. We harbor an inclusive environment where employees feel empowered to share their backgrounds, experiences, and ideas. Our Employee Resource Groups, Women's Advisory Panel (WAP), Women's in Energy (WE), Minority Advisory Panel (MAP), Pride Alliance of Consumers Energy (PACE), GENERGY, capable, Interfaith and Veterans Advisory Panel (VAP) are key enablers to living the values of our company culture: Caring, Empowered, Deliberate, Agility, and Ownership.

All qualified applicants will not be discriminated against and will receive consideration for employment without regard to protected veteran status, disability, race, color, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin.