Senior Attorney - Commercial

Arizona Public Service generates clean, reliable and affordable energy for 2.7 million Arizonans. Our service territory stretches across the state, from the border town of Douglas to the vistas of the Grand Canyon, from the solar fields of Gila Bend to the ponderosa pines of Payson. As the state’s largest and longest-serving energy provider, our more than 6,000 dedicated employees power our vision of creating a sustainable energy future for Arizona.

 

Since our founding in 1886, APS has demonstrated a strong commitment to our customers in one of the country’s fastest growing states, earning a reputation for customer satisfaction, shareholder value, operational excellence and business integrity.

 

Our present and future success depends on the creative and dedicated people of our company who demonstrate the principles outlined in the APS Promise: Design for Tomorrow, Empower Each Other and Succeed Together.  

Summary

The Senior Attorney - Commercial is focused primarily on commercial legal matters related to utility Information Technology (IT) and Operational Technology (OT) contracts, including SaaS agreements; data privacy; cybersecurity; and other commercial matters. A minimum of five years of commercial and/or litigation experience, with a focus in these specialties, is required. This position is responsible for leading complex contract negotiations with IT and OT vendors, monitoring and ensuring compliance with applicable state and federal laws relating to data privacy and cybersecurity, developing solutions to a variety of complex legal projects, applying established policies and procedures, and exercising considerable independent judgment and discretion. Individual must have excellent contractual drafting and negotiating skills. These matters involve collaboration across all levels of the Company and cross-functional teams and interacts frequently with one or more senior management representatives on significant legal matters. It also requires the regular use of ingenuity and innovation, applying complete understanding and application of relevant legal principles to drive positive results consistent with business goals, including the company’s Clean Energy Commitment and focus on safety. Individual exercises considerable latitude and judgment in determining approaches to assignments and accomplishing objectives and must be able to function in a fast-paced environment with multiple priorities and matters.

Minimum Requirements

• Degree from an accredited law school; Licensed state bar member in good standing may be required to become a member of the State Bar of Arizona;
• PLUS 5 years of experience with significant exposure to corporate clients and the types of legal issues regularly faced by large public companies.
  
  Highly Preferred Experience:
  - Experience with the following: IT vendor agreements, SaaS (Software as a Service), data privacy law, and drafting/negotiating NDA's (non-disclosure agreements). 

Major Accountabilities

1) Independently perform a variety of legal services, which involve a high level of complex and difficult legal and/or factual issues in connection with the Company's operations.

2) Counsel officers and senior management in the development of strategy regarding contract negotiations and claims by recommending specific courses of action based on extensive research, investigation, analysis, and experience.

3) Provide preliminary instruction, monitor performance of assignments, review soundness of approach/arguments and application of legal principles of outside counsel retained by the company.
4) Maintain positive working relationship with internal and external customers.

Export Compliance / EEO Statement

This position may require access to and/or use of information subject to control under the Department of Energy's Part 810 Regulations (10 CFR Part 810), the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) (15 CFR Parts 730 through 774), or the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) (22 CFR Chapter I, Subchapter M Part 120) (collectively, 'U.S. Export Control Laws'). Therefore, some positions may require applicants to be a U.S. person, which is defined as a U.S. Citizen, a U.S. Lawful Permanent Resident (i.e. 'Green Card Holder'), a Political Asylee, or a Refugee under the U.S. Export Control Laws. All applicants will be required to confirm their U.S. person or non-US person status. All information collected in this regard will only be used to ensure compliance with U.S. Export Control Laws, and will be used in full compliance with all applicable laws prohibiting discrimination on the basis of national origin and other factors. For positions at Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Stations (PVNGS) all openings will require applicants to be a U.S. person.

Pinnacle West Capital Corporation and it