Deputy General Counsel at Summit Utilities – LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas

Summit Utilities

Join our Growing Team and see why Summit Utilities, Inc was named as one of the Fastest Growing Denver Area Private Companies 2019 and 2020; Best Places to Work in Maine 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023; and Best Places to Work in Arkansas 2020 and 2023, Oklahoma 2022 and 2023 and Missouri 2023. Summit was also recently named one of Forbes 2023 America’s Best Small Employers.

Summit is a growing natural gas utility company providing safe, reliable and clean burning natural gas service to homes and businesses in Arkansas, Colorado, Maine, Missouri and Oklahoma. Being part of the Summit team means embracing excellence and innovation, committing to safety each and every day, and doing all that we can to serve each other, our customers and the communities where we live. We aim to bring warmth and energy to everything we do.

We are pleased to present an exciting opportunity for a Vice President & Deputy General Counsel. The role may be hybrid-based from one of our offices in Little Rock, Fort Smith, or Fayetteville, Arkansas, or in Portland, Maine, and is also open to remote candidates based in Texas.

POSITION SUMMARY

Summit Utilities’ Legal Department is seeking a dynamic and experienced legal executive to join our team as Vice President & Deputy General Counsel. This is a senior leadership role responsible for overseeing the company’s litigation and corporate legal functions. Reporting to the Chief Legal Officer (CLO), the Deputy General Counsel will be a strategic partner to the executive team and play a critical role in mentoring legal staff, leading legal initiatives, and supporting the organization’s continued growth. Ideal candidates will bring significant law firm and in-house corporate experience, exemplary legal and leadership skills, and the ability to continuously adapt in a fast-paced environment.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Provide day-to-day legal counsel on general corporate, litigation, regulatory, and compliance mattersLead and mentor legal team members across functional areas, including transactions, financing, disputes and claims, employment, insurance, and records managementPartner with the CLO and executive leadership to manage legal aspects of mergers and acquisitions, including due diligence and integrationServe as a key member of the Senior Leadership Team, helping to execute company strategy through cross-functional collaborationSelect, engage, and oversee outside counsel, ensuring effective, high-quality, and cost-efficient legal representationIdentify and implement process improvements in partnership with internal legal and business stakeholdersBuild and maintain productive, cross-functional relationships across the enterpriseDevelop and maintain a deep understanding of Summit’s business operations, including the regulatory requirements of each jurisdiction servedPerform other duties as assigned

EDUCATION AND WORK EXPERIENCE

Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law schoolLicensed and in good standing to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdictionMinimum of 10 years of legal experience, including law firm experience Demonstrated experience in litigation, corporate governance, transactions, and legal team leadershipPrior experience in the energy sector is preferred

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES

Strong business acumen with a pragmatic, solutions-oriented approach to legal problem-solvingProven ability to provide concise, creative, and practical legal counsel in a fast-paced, evolving environmentDemonstrated leadership and mentoring skills, with experience managing a geographically dispersed legal teamExcellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build trust, influence stakeholders, and collaborate across all organizational levelsAbility to develop strong cross-functional partnerships and work cooperatively with colleagues across departments and locationsHighly organized and detail-oriented, with the capacity to manage multiple complex projects, set priorities, and meet deadlinesStrong judgment and strategic thinking, with the ability to anticipate issues and develop effective, business-aligned solutionsSelf-starter with intellectual curiosity, a desire to learn the business, new areas of law, and a proactive, mission-driven mindsetTechnologically adept and able to utilize virtual collaboration tools to maintain productivity across locationsWillingness and ability to travel as needed based on business requirements

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and/or skills required of all personnel so classified.

Summit offers competitive pay and medical/dental/vision and other benefits that provide flexibility, choice and support to our employees when they need it most. We understand that home and family are essential pieces of your life, and our benefits are designed to support you both at work and at home.

Summit Utilities, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability or veteran status.