Counsel III

Duquesne Light Company, headquartered in downtown Pittsburgh, is a leader in providing electric energy and has been in the forefront of the electric energy market, with a history rooted in technological innovation and superior customer service. Today, the company continues its role as a leader in the transmission and distribution of electric energy, providing a secure supply of reliable power to more than half a million customers in southwestern Pennsylvania. 

Duquesne Light Company is committed to creating a culture of inclusion. We value and respect the unique differences and experiences of our employees. We believe that our differences lead to better collaboration, innovation and outcomes. We want you to join our team

Job Summary :

Duquesne Light Company, and its parent, Duquesne Light Holdings (collectively, the Company) seeks a Commercial Legal Counsel to provide legal advice, counsel, and services to the Company in multiple commercial areas, including contract review and negotiation, real estate, and environmental matters. This is a legal position within the Office of General Counsel in which you will have the opportunity to partner with the business units, work and liaise with different departments, key stakeholders, and will require you to have a collaborative, business first mindset and strong interpersonal skills. You must be comfortable working with quick turnaround times and are a confident contract drafter and negotiator.

Location : Hybrid, downtown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Key Responsibilities :

Draft, review, negotiate and finalize complex contracts and agreements, including but not limited to vendor contracts, SaaS contracts, end-user license agreements, leases, building license agreements, right of way agreements, pole attachment agreements, non-disclosure agreements, and partnership agreements. Perform risk assessment and analysis related to commercial terms, identifying and vetting high risk matters. Draft and maintain procurement contract templates including Master Services Agreements, Non-Disclosure Agreements, and other legal documents. Provide training to internal business partners on a variety of commercial legal topics. Review federal grant applications and other Requests for Proposals. Support the Company’s Procurement Department, Right-of-Way, Environmental, and other groups as needed. Manage law firms, including budgets and approval of invoices. Serve as the subject matter expert within the Legal Services team for all commercial related matters.

Qualifications :

Juris Doctorate (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school required. Admission to the Pennsylvania bar or the ability to be admitted within 6 months of employment is required. Minimum of three (3-5) years of experience practicing law, with a focus on commercial drafting and negotiations. Law firm experience preferred, but not required. Real Estate experience preferred, but not required. Note: scope of work is for attorneys in the early to mid-stages of a candidate’s legal career

Skills and Experience Utilized in this Role Include:

Exceptional negotiation skills and the ability to draft and review complex legal documents. Ability to develop subject matter expertise, strategic thinking. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively collaborate with stakeholders at all levels of the organization. Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a team, with a high level of professionalism and integrity. Ability to manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment and meet tight deadlines. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a keen attention to detail. Demonstrated ability to think strategically and provide proactive legal guidance to support business objectives. Maturity, creativity and problem-solving approach to address legal matters

Must possess a positive attitude and strong values that fit with the Company’s core values:

Energized to shape the future; Bold in thinking and exploration of new possibilities; Collaborative in approaching all challenges; Responsible in commitment to safety, management of assets and finances and interaction with colleagues, business clients and other stakeholders; Selfless in serving the community, both on the job and through volunteerism.

Scope

Primary focus is on daily deliverables, outputs and reporting of legal services. Accountable for managing one's own time and workflow but may be leading projects or project steps. Work is typically complex in nature requiring the incumbent to draw on previous knowledge to perform role. Continues to build knowledge base but has a solid foundation to act independently the majority of the time. Still draws on experts and managers when needed but less frequently. Acts as a resource to less experienced staff on routine issues. 

Decision Impact

Problems and issues faced are complex. Draws on past experience on a regular basis to solve problems and take new perspectives on existing solutions. Accountable for direct level of reasoning and decision making.

Hybrid Work :

Position follows Company’s hybrid work model, with at least two days working in the office and the remaining days working remotely. Reporting location and frequency may be subject to change based on job role or Company needs. Initially will be required to work from an office location (the corporate headquarters in downtown Pittsburgh and the Procurement office on the North Shore) three days per week until sufficient training and knowledge transfer have occurred.

Storm Roles:

All Non-Union Employees, which includes this position, serve in storm roles to support Operations in restoring electric service to customers as appropriate to their role and skillset. Please be sure to discuss storm roles with the hiring manager for this position, as duties can vary across the Company. Examples of storm roles could include but aren't limited to duties such as: working with operations for service center support or with the communications, customer service or government affairs teams to respond to public and customer requests for information, etc.

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