Role Overview for Chief Legal Officer with a Public Energy Utilities Company – Houston, TX
JRG Partners is proud to partner with a premier, publicly traded energy utilities company in its search for an exceptional Chief Legal Officer (CLO). Based in the dynamic energy hub of Houston, Texas, our client is a leader in the generation, transmission, and distribution of energy, renowned for its commitment to operational excellence, innovation, and sustainable practices. This is a career-defining opportunity to join a forward-thinking organization at a pivotal moment in the energy industry’s evolution.
The Chief Legal Officer will serve as a cornerstone of the executive leadership team, reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer and acting as the primary legal advisor to the CEO, senior management, and the Board of Directors. This executive will be responsible for the entirety of the company’s legal, regulatory, and corporate governance functions. The ideal candidate is a strategic visionary with unimpeachable integrity, deep industry expertise, and the business acumen to navigate the complex legal and regulatory landscape of the public utilities sector. You will be instrumental in shaping the company’s strategic direction, safeguarding its interests, mitigating risk, and fostering a culture of compliance and ethical conduct. This role demands a leader who can seamlessly integrate legal counsel with business objectives, providing pragmatic and forward-looking guidance that drives long-term value and growth.
Key Responsibilities of Chief Legal Officer with a Public Energy Utilities Company – Houston, TX
The CLO’s responsibilities are broad and critical to the company’s success. The role encompasses leadership across corporate law, regulatory affairs, litigation, compliance, and strategic transactions.
Executive Leadership & Strategy
Serve as a key member of the executive team, participating in the development and execution of the company’s long-term strategic plans. Provide insightful and proactive legal counsel on a wide range of business issues, including potential acquisitions, divestitures, major capital projects, and strategic partnerships.
Corporate Governance and Board Advisory
Act as the Corporate Secretary, advising the Board of Directors and its committees on their fiduciary duties, corporate governance best practices, and relevant legal and regulatory developments. Oversee all board-related activities, including meeting agendas, minutes, and corporate records.
SEC Compliance & Reporting
Lead all aspects of the company’s compliance with federal securities laws. Oversee the preparation and filing of all SEC documents, including annual reports (10-K), quarterly reports (10-Q), current reports (8-K), proxy statements, and Section 16 filings. Ensure the accuracy and timeliness of all public disclosures.
Regulatory Affairs & Compliance
Develop and lead the company’s legal strategy before federal, state, and local regulatory bodies. Manage all aspects of regulatory proceedings, including rate cases, rulemakings, and compliance filings. Ensure company-wide adherence to all applicable laws and regulations, including those related to environmental protection, safety, and reliability.
Litigation and Risk Management
Develop and implement a comprehensive enterprise risk management (ERM) framework. Oversee and direct the company’s strategy for all litigation, disputes, and government investigations. Manage outside counsel effectively to achieve optimal outcomes while controlling costs. Proactively identify potential legal risks and develop mitigation strategies.
Commercial Transactions & Contracts
Provide expert legal support for all major commercial activities. Lead the legal due diligence, negotiation, and execution of complex transactions, including mergers and acquisitions (M&A), project finance, and joint ventures. Oversee the drafting and negotiation of a wide array of commercial agreements, such as power purchase agreements (PPAs), engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contracts, and major vendor contracts.
Ethics and Compliance Program
Champion a culture of integrity throughout the organization. Oversee the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of the corporate ethics and compliance program. Manage the company’s code of conduct, whistleblower policies, and internal investigation processes.
Legal Department Leadership
Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing in-house legal team. Foster a collaborative and service-oriented culture within the department. Manage the legal department’s budget, resources, and technology to ensure maximum efficiency and effectiveness.
Intellectual Property Management
Oversee the company’s intellectual property portfolio, including patents, trademarks, and trade secrets, ensuring that valuable innovations are protected.
Requirements for the Chief Legal Officer with a Public Energy Utilities Company – Houston, TX
We are seeking a distinguished legal executive with a proven track record of success in a complex, regulated environment. The specific qualifications for this role include:
Education
A Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from a top-tier, ABA-accredited law school is required. An exceptional academic record is highly preferred.
Licensure
Must be a member in good standing of at least one U.S. state bar and be eligible for admission to the State Bar of Texas as in-house counsel or by reciprocity.
Experience
A minimum of 15-20 years of progressive legal experience, with a significant portion spent in a senior leadership role (e.g., General Counsel, Deputy General Counsel) within a publicly traded company. Direct experience in the energy, utilities, or a similarly capital-intensive and highly regulated industry is strongly required.
Public Company Expertise
Deep and demonstrable expertise in corporate governance and securities law, including extensive hands-on experience with the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Sarbanes-Oxley, and NYSE/NASDAQ listing requirements.
Regulatory Proficiency
Proven experience navigating complex regulatory environments is essential. The ideal candidate will have direct experience interacting with federal and state energy regulatory agencies, such as the FERC (Federal Energy Regulatory Commission) and state Public Utility Commissions (PUCs).
Transactional Acumen
A strong background in leading complex corporate transactions, including M&A, divestitures, and sophisticated financing arrangements.
Leadership Skills
Exceptional leadership and management capabilities, with a demonstrated ability to build, motivate, and mentor a team of legal professionals. Must possess the executive presence and communication skills to effectively advise and influence the CEO and Board of Directors.
Business Judgment
A pragmatic, business-oriented approach to problem-solving. The ability to analyze complex legal issues and provide clear, concise, and actionable advice that aligns with strategic business objectives.
Integrity
Unquestionable personal and professional integrity, ethics, and a commitment to upholding the highest standards of corporate conduct.
Benefits & Perks Offered
Our client offers a comprehensive and highly competitive executive compensation and benefits package designed to attract and retain top-tier talent. The package includes:
Executive Compensation
A highly competitive base salary, a substantial annual performance-based cash bonus, and a significant long-term incentive package comprised of equity awards (e.g., restricted stock units, performance shares).
Retirement & Financial Planning
A robust 401(k) plan with a generous employer match, access to an executive deferred compensation plan, and comprehensive financial advisory services.
Health & Wellness
Premium, comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans for you and your eligible dependents. A well-funded Health Savings Account (HSA), flexible spending accounts, and extensive wellness programs, including mental health support and fitness subsidies.
Work-Life Integration
A generous paid time off (PTO) policy, paid holidays, and a supportive work environment that values professional and personal well-being.
Relocation
A comprehensive, executive-level relocation package is available for the successful candidate and their family to move to the Houston area.
Professional Development
A substantial budget for continuing legal education (CLE), professional association memberships, and attendance at industry conferences to ensure you remain at the forefront of the legal and energy sectors.
Additional Benefits
Company-paid life insurance, short-term and long-term disability coverage, and other executive perquisites.
How to Apply
This is an exclusive search conducted by JRG Partners. To be considered for this confidential opportunity, please submit your resume and a cover letter detailing your qualifications and interest in the role. We are committed to a transparent and respectful recruitment process. All inquiries and applications will be handled with the utmost discretion.
JRG Partners is a leader in connecting exceptional legal talent with premier organizations. To learn more about our expertise in this area, please visit the JRG Partners’ Legal & Compliance Executive Search practice. We look forward to reviewing your application and discussing how this exceptional opportunity aligns with your career aspirations.
