Description
Company Background:
Northline Utilities, LLC was founded in 2005 as a provider of construction services to the electric utilities industry in the Northeastern US. Northline is headquartered in upstate New York and serves a broad clientele ranging from regional electric cooperatives, to renewable energy EPCs, to major investor-owned utilities.
The company prides itself on the team’s ability to take on high-profile, challenging projects involving several stakeholders, stringent schedule and progress reporting requirements, and multi-subcontractor coordination. The company’s core proficiencies lie in the construction, maintenance, and upgrade of electric distribution systems, substations, and transmission lines. Northline has a strong regional reputation and a demonstrated track record of strong organic growth in recent years.
Among Northline’s key competitive differentiators is a management culture that is heavily focused on safety and innovation, and a team of senior leaders with significant experience managing and growing businesses of various sizes. James Atkins, Northline’s President and Owner, began his career as a third-generation Journeyman Lineman, and represents the industry through several industry and trade associations.
Job Title: In-House Counsel
Job Location: AuSable Forks or Clifton Park
Job Type: Full-Time, Exempt, not contract
Salary Range: $185,000 – 225,000 base, may vary from posted hiring range based upon geographic location, work experience, education, and/or skill level, among other things.
Travel: Local / Regional Travel, 15 – 20% of the time
Position Overview:
The In-House Counsel ensures that business risks are effectively managed through legal compliance, vendor relations, claims management, administrative procedures, activities, and insurance.
Key Responsibilities:
Provide and maintain safe and healthy working conditions, equipment, and systems of work for self and all employees, and to participate in training as needed for this purpose
Ensuring that all applications, licenses and permits are in place, up-to-date and complete to enable the company to conduct its business in current and future locations. Includes completing, editing, updating, filing and providing explanations to federal, state, county, local and regulatory authorities. Includes (but is not limited to) departmental permits for facility – construction, renovation, building, fire police; land use – zoning, planning, site plan, environmental; vehicle – motor and vehicle and general business – permits for tax and commerce/economic development. (Shared with Project Management)
Processes legal requests, maintaining proper contacts, schedules and relationships for effective performance and handling of legal matters.
Prepares legal filings for claims, related business correspondence, case preparation, anticipated litigation and formal requests for review by legal counsel and management and coordinates with outside counsel.
Reviews all proposed contracts, subcontracts, forms, legal documents and filings and makes recommendations to reduce ambiguity, provide clarity and ensure legal compliance. Reviews all legal documents prior to execution.
Lead due diligence, drafting and negotiating contracts and agreements, and handling regulatory compliance and other legal issues related to merger and acquisition transactions.
Sourcing legal guidance and assistance by screening and selecting legal advisors in locations of business activity. Oversees litigation case handling and legal matters to ensure they are resolved in the best interest of the Company in the most cost-effective and expedient manner.
Works with outside counsel to develop strategies and responses to competitive infringements in brand, logo, designs, plans, intellectual property, and confidential information. Monitors market activities and develops proactive approaches.
Serves as Northline’s representative at hearings, claims proceedings and legal proceedings.
Works Collaboratively with VP Finance to ensure effective management of property and casualty risks via:
- Ensuring proper levels and extent of coverage for all risks at all locations
- Evaluating insurance coverages for adequacy and risks
- Establishing the local insurance/risk management function and administration
- Obtaining local insurance coverages to supplement group program where needed, by selecting brokers, carriers and coverages
- Prepares and arranges for certificates of insurance
- Ensures that insurance/risk policies are developed and implemented throughout the company
Evaluates liability for losses and prepares claims for property losses and damage for review by insurance company and vendor representatives. Evaluates extent of loss, investigates circumstances, evaluates probability of recovery and ensures completeness of filings. Follows-up on claims to ensure timely resolution and minimization of loss.
Research laws, regulations, guidelines court decisions, precedents and executive orders; analyzes and assesses impact on Company, makes recommendations to ensure compliance and communicates with appropriate management. Maintains awareness of best practice, business environment, legal environment and risk assessment and mitigation techniques to ensure that strategies are implemented. Recommends adjustments to strategies and procedures based on expertise.
Monitors proposed legislation and regulations in areas of company business analyze potential impacts, notify management and present position papers/documents/testimony to legislators regarding impacts. Coordinates activities of Company lobbying efforts.
Provides guidance and advice to company personnel regarding business legal issues, rights, obligations, privileges and risk management matters. Evaluates company exposures and anticipates potential issues based on business plans and activities.
Coordinates with Human Resources personnel to support activities in areas of labor, OSHA, union, and unemployment legal matters through advice and guidance.
Any other duties as assigned by manager
Position Requirements:
Juris Doctorate with 10+ years experience as an Attorney, prior in-house counsel or a state or federal employment as well as a minimum of 5 years' experience administering complex legal issues for a small business. Prior experience working with contractors and or Utilities is a plus.
Admission to the New York Bar, and currently a member in good standing,
Demonstrated proficiency in MS Office Suite with emphasis on Excel, excellent data analysis and problem-solving skills, ability to work independently and manage multiple tasks effectively, team player with excellent interpersonal skills.
Application:
Please send a resume to humanresources@northlinellc.com and esheats@theconstructionlaw.com.
Northline Utilities, LLC is and Equal Opportunity Employer.
