Senior Counsel - Regulatory, AEP Operating Companies (State of Ohio)

Job Posting End Date

06-13-2025

Please note the job posting will close on the day before the posting end date.

Job Summary

The Senior Counsel will be located in Columbus, OH and represent AEP’s operating companies (such as AEP Ohio) in administrative litigation and related appeals to civil courts, including regulatory proceedings before state public utility commissions that have jurisdiction over AEP’s electric utility rates and operations.

Representation includes legal research, motion practice, discovery, commenting on proposed rules, reviewing and drafting testimony, presenting company witnesses and cross-examining opposing witnesses in hearing, writing briefs and appellate practice; reviewing and drafting legislation; providing legal advice to management and other company personnel regarding all aspects of public utility regulation; exercising independent legal judgment; and working with outside legal counsel, state attorneys general, commission staff and industry stakeholders.

Applicants must possess strong communication and interpersonal skills, a good working knowledge of regulatory law, and sound legal judgment, as well as a proven ability for initiative, creativity, good judgment and working independently of direct supervision, while being aligned with the goals of the corporate Legal Department.

Travel will periodically be required to parts of the AEP system.

Job Description

Key Duties & Responsibilities:

• Coordinate and implement regulatory and legislative strategies for AEP operating companies.
• Develop and manage advocacy before state utility commissions. 
• Manage regulatory activities at the state level.  Monitor, analyze and oversee preparation of regulatory supporting documents including testimony, comments, briefs, proposed orders, white papers and discovery data responses.
• Assist in the development of relationships with representatives of state legislative/regulatory and enforcement agencies to ensure effective communication, partnership and cooperation.

Legal & Regulatory Requirements:

• Solid understanding of of regulatory and legislative environment at state level, especially in Ohio, Kentucky, West Virginia, Virginia, Indiana, Tennessee and/or Michigan.
• Strong understanding of electric utility industry.
• Solid understanding of legal and regulatory issues relating to electric utilities.
• Solid understanding of electric utility ratemaking and CCN process.
• Ability to manage all levels of regulatory docketed proceedings, tariff filings, rulemakings and legislative process.  
• Experience presenting and crossing witnesses in administrative hearings.
• Big picture oriented, yet focus driven, with strong attention to detail.

Communication Skills:

• Excellent oral and written communication skills. 
• Strong advocacy and negotiation skills.
• Ability to communicate cross functionally with all business units.
• Ability to relate to many different constituencies in a positive, proactive manner that will engender confidence from company management, employees, state utility commissions and other industry groups.
• Problem solver coupled with good conflict resolution skills.
• Extremely organized, self-starter and result oriented.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

Education & Professional Background:

• J.D. required.  Eligible to practice in Ohio.  Minimum of 5+ of experience with a law firm or corporate legal department, preferably including experience before a state utility regulatory commission relating to electric public utilities.
• Prior experience representing parties in electric utility matters before the state public service commissions in Ohio and/or Kentucky, West Virginia, Virginia, Indiana, Tennessee and Michigan.

Work Location & Travel:

• This position’s primary work location will be AEP’s offices in Columbus, Ohio. 
• The position will be expected to be in the office 5 days a week.
• Travel to other locations in the AEP System is expected to be approximately 10%-15% and could be more extensive during certain periods, such as for hearings and in-person meetings with other employees, commission staff and utility stakeholders.

Based on education, experience and interview, this opportunity will be filled commensurately at salary grades 10 or 11 in the Sr. Counsel job family.

Compensation:

Senior Counsel - Regulatory (Grade 10): $132,562 - $172,331

Senior Counsel - Regulatory (Grade 11): $155,761 - $202,491

• In addition to base salary, AEP offers competitive Total Rewards including: discretiona