Role Overview for Chief Legal Officer with a Public Utilities Company – Raleigh, NC
JRG Partners is proud to conduct an exclusive executive search for a dynamic and strategic Chief Legal Officer (CLO) on behalf of our client, a premier, publicly-traded utilities company headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina. This is a rare opportunity to join the executive leadership team of an industry leader dedicated to providing safe, reliable, and affordable energy to millions of customers across the state. The CLO will serve as the principal legal advisor to the CEO, Board of Directors, and the senior management team, playing a pivotal role in shaping the company’s strategic direction, ensuring uncompromising legal and ethical integrity, and navigating the complex regulatory landscape of the public utility sector.
The ideal candidate is a visionary legal executive with extensive experience in corporate law, regulatory affairs, and corporate governance within a regulated industry. You will be responsible for overseeing all legal aspects of the company’s operations, from complex litigation and transactional matters to robust compliance programs and corporate secretarial functions. This role demands not only exceptional legal acumen but also strong business judgment, sophisticated leadership skills, and the ability to operate as a true strategic partner to the business.
You will lead a dedicated team of in-house legal professionals and manage outside counsel relationships to effectively mitigate risk and capitalize on strategic opportunities. As the CLO, you will be the ultimate guardian of the company’s legal health and its reputation, ensuring that its operations and growth initiatives are built on a solid foundation of legal and ethical excellence. This position is critical to the company’s long-term success and its commitment to serving the community with integrity and foresight.
Key Responsibilities of Chief Legal Officer with a Public Utilities Company – Raleigh, NC
The Chief Legal Officer will have a broad and diverse range of responsibilities, encompassing all legal functions of the organization. Key duties include, but are not limited to:
Executive Counsel & Strategic Advisory
Serve as a key member of the executive leadership team, providing expert legal counsel and strategic guidance on all significant company matters. Proactively identify and analyze legal issues, present clear recommendations, and assist in making critical business decisions that align with the company’s long-term objectives.
Corporate Governance and Securities
Oversee all corporate governance matters, ensuring compliance with NASDAQ/NYSE listing standards, Sarbanes-Oxley, and other relevant regulations. Manage all SEC filings, including 10-Ks, 10-Qs, 8-Ks, and proxy statements. Act as the Corporate Secretary, advising the Board of Directors and its committees on their fiduciary duties and governance best practices. Prepare board materials, minutes, and resolutions.
Regulatory Affairs & Compliance
Lead the company’s legal strategy for all regulatory matters. Represent the company and oversee legal representation in proceedings before federal and state regulatory bodies, including the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and the North Carolina Utilities Commission. Ensure the development and implementation of a comprehensive, enterprise-wide compliance program that addresses all relevant laws, regulations, and industry standards.
Litigation and Dispute Resolution Management
Supervise and direct all litigation, arbitration, and other legal proceedings involving the company. Develop and implement strategies to successfully resolve disputes in a cost-effective manner. Manage relationships with outside litigation counsel, oversee case budgets, and report on material litigation to the executive team and the Board.
Commercial Transactions & Contracts
Provide legal support for all major commercial transactions, including mergers and acquisitions (M&A), divestitures, joint ventures, and complex financing arrangements. Oversee the drafting, negotiation, and review of a wide variety of commercial agreements, such as power purchase agreements, construction contracts, procurement contracts, and technology licensing agreements.
Risk Management
Partner with the Chief Financial Officer and other senior leaders to identify, evaluate, and mitigate legal, regulatory, and business risks across the organization. Develop and implement risk management policies and procedures, and advise on insurance and other risk transfer mechanisms.
Ethics & Corporate Integrity
Champion a culture of ethics and integrity throughout the organization. Oversee the company’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, manage the internal investigations process for alleged violations of law or policy, and ensure effective training programs are in place.
Labor & Employment Law
Provide counsel to the Human Resources department on all labor and employment law matters, including employee relations, compensation and benefits, discrimination and harassment claims, and collective bargaining agreements.
Intellectual Property and Data Privacy
Oversee the company’s intellectual property portfolio and advise on matters related to data privacy, cybersecurity, and information governance, ensuring compliance with GDPR, CCPA, and other relevant privacy laws.
Legal Department Leadership
Lead, manage, and mentor the in-house legal department. Foster a collaborative, high-performance culture. Develop and manage the departmental budget, and oversee the selection, retention, and management of all outside counsel and legal service providers to ensure high-quality, cost-effective legal services.
Requirements for the Chief Legal Officer with a Public Utilities Company – Raleigh, NC
The successful candidate will be a seasoned and highly credible legal professional with a proven track record of success in a senior leadership role. The specific qualifications and attributes we are seeking include:
Education
A Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from a top-tier, ABA-accredited law school is required. A strong academic record is highly preferred.
Bar Admission
Must be an active member in good standing of at least one U.S. state bar and be eligible for admission to the North Carolina State Bar as in-house counsel or by comity.
Experience
A minimum of 15-20 years of progressive legal experience, with a significant portion spent in-house at a publicly-traded company. At least 5-7 years of experience in a senior legal leadership role (e.g., General Counsel, Deputy General Counsel) is essential.
Industry Expertise
Deep experience within the public utility, energy, or another heavily regulated industry is strongly required. The candidate must have a sophisticated understanding of the unique legal and business challenges facing such organizations.
Substantive Legal Knowledge
Demonstrated expertise in a broad range of legal areas, including corporate governance, SEC reporting and securities law, regulatory law (state and federal), complex commercial transactions, M&A, and litigation management.
Leadership & Management Skills
Proven ability to lead and develop a team of legal professionals. A track record of successfully managing departmental budgets and effectively overseeing outside counsel relationships.
Business Acumen
Must possess strong business and financial acumen, with the ability to think strategically and provide practical, business-oriented legal advice. The capacity to understand and contribute to business strategy is paramount.
Communication & Interpersonal Skills
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills. The ability to articulate complex legal concepts clearly and concisely to a variety of audiences, including the Board of Directors, executive leadership, employees, and external stakeholders. Strong executive presence and the ability to build credibility and rapport at all levels of the organization.
Integrity & Judgment
Impeccable ethics, integrity, and professional judgment are absolute requirements for this role. The candidate must be a trusted advisor who can handle sensitive and confidential information with the utmost discretion.
Benefits & Perks Offered
Our client is committed to attracting and retaining top-tier executive talent and offers a highly competitive and comprehensive compensation and benefits package, including:
Competitive Base Salary
An attractive base salary commensurate with the experience and qualifications of the selected candidate.
Executive Bonus Program
Eligibility for a significant annual performance-based cash bonus tied to individual and company performance goals.
Long-Term Incentive Plan
Meaningful equity awards (e.g., restricted stock units, performance shares) to align the CLO’s long-term interests with those of the shareholders.
Comprehensive Health & Wellness
A full suite of benefits, including medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage for you and your eligible dependents.
Retirement Savings
A robust 401(k) plan with a generous company match and potential profit-sharing contributions.
Paid Time Off
A generous vacation, sick leave, and paid holiday schedule to support work-life balance.
Relocation Assistance
A comprehensive relocation package is available for the successful candidate and their family.
Professional Development
Support for continuing legal education (CLE), professional association memberships, and other development opportunities.
Additional Perks
Executive-level perquisites may include a car allowance, financial planning services, and enhanced life and disability insurance coverage.
How to Apply
JRG Partners has been exclusively retained for this Chief Legal Officer search. To express your interest in this exceptional opportunity, please submit your resume and a compelling cover letter outlining your qualifications and suitability for the role. All inquiries and applications will be handled with the utmost confidentiality.
For more information or to apply, please visit our dedicated practice area page. We invite you to learn more about our expertise in this area by reviewing our Legal Executive Search Practice. We look forward to connecting with you to discuss this pivotal leadership role.
