Counsel​/Senior Counsel

The
Counsel
or Senior Counsel will effectively and efficiently provide legal counsel and support to the subsidiaries of the Southern Company on federal environmental laws and regulation and associated litigation matters. This position will report to the Associate General Counsel of Environmental Policy and Litigation in the SCS Legal Department.

Birmingham, Alabama or Atlanta, Georgia

• Counsel and support business units on federal environmental law and regulation and associated litigation matters
• Collaborate with various environmental and natural resource teams and leaders across the system
• Direct and manage outside counsel
• Other duties as assigned by the Associate General Counsel

• J.D. degree from an ABA accredited law school with strong academic credentials (required)
• Licensed to practice law in Georgia and/or Alabama, and in good standing with the Bar
• Approximately 4-7 years of experience practicing environmental law either as a governmental agency lawyer, or in a large, nationally recognized law firm or corporate law department representing Fortune 500 clients (required)
• Experience with a variety of environmental matters including review of environmental provisions in transactional matters, managing environmental litigation or permitting matters, analyzing statutes and regulations, and providing legal advice related to environmental compliance with the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act,Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, and the National Environmental Policy Act
• Knowledge of relevant utility statutes, regulations, and guidance documents related to the business preferred.
• Ability to quickly assess risks and communicate complex information in a simple and timely manner, including to executive leadership
• Able to work effectively with all levels of internal client organization
• Possess the ability to determine priorities and meet the deadlines required with minimal supervision
• Extensive analytical and problem-solving skills
• Able to work autonomously on complex projects

• Counsel clients on compliance with environmental law and regulation
• Assist with developing environmental policy and strategy in response to environmental law and regulation
• Provide legal counsel, draft agreements, and negotiate environmental terms and conditions for a broad range of transactions for business units system-wide
• Perform advanced legal and factual research
• Manage environmental litigation and litigation arising under the Administrative Procedure Act
• Manage documentation associated with commercial and legal disputes
• Effectively and efficiently work with and manage outside counsel on environmental legal matters
• Assist other members of the legal team by performing other assignments, as directed
• Possess excellent communication, organization and interpersonal skills
• Be a team player and have exceptional client service skills
• Show initiative and the ability to prioritize work
• Ability to appreciate and maintain strict confidentiality
• Perform work and act in an honest, highly ethical and professional manner that demonstrates “Our Values” as set by Southern Company

• Possess excellent communication, organization and interpersonal skills
• Be a team player and have exceptional client service skills
• Show initiative and the ability to prioritize work
• Ability to appreciate and maintain strict confidentiality
• Perform work and act in an honest, highly ethical and professional manner that demonstrates “Our Values” as set by Southern Company