Description

LEPA, a Washington-DC based non-profit energy trade association, seeks qualified candidates to be General Counsel and Corporate Secretary beginning in late 2026, replacing a long-time and successful person who is retiring. The position has three key roles:

1. Advocate and strategist on Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) regulation of liquid energy pipelines
2. Advocate and strategist on industry legal issues
3. Association chief legal officer 

The incumbent will develop and manage FERC-related strategy, filings, analysis, deliberations, and outreach for the oil pipeline industry, working closely with members to identify priorities and action items to aggressively pursue gains. The person will manage and serve key association committees related to FERC, develop educational conferences for members, maintain relationships with FERC Commissioners and staff, and represent the association in FERC stakeholder events.  

The incumbent will also develop and manage strategy on industry legal issues, drafting of LEPA filings in a manner to aggressively pursue gains for members, management of outside counsel, and working with other stakeholders as part of a coalition. The person will manage and serve the association’s Legal Committee and engage with members in identifying annual priorities and action items. The person will develop and maintain relationships with FERC’s Office of General Counsel, Office of Energy Market Regulation and Office of Enforcement and Regulatory Accounting, and the Office of Chief Counsel at the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA).

As the Association’s chief legal officer, the incumbent will advise on and manage organizational legal issues, ensure compliance with laws and regulations, present matters to LEPA’s Board of Directors comprised of industry executives and support effective Board oversight LEPA, provide Corporate Secretary functions, support the President-CEO on association management, and coordinate and oversee work of a staff member.

This a full-time position. Some travel is involved, typically in connection with association meetings, which normally constitutes less than 10 percent of the year. The employee would be expected to work primarily in LEPA’s offices at 900 17th Street, NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC, with some remote work under LEPA’s remote work policy. 

LEPA is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, age, national origin, veteran or disability status. 

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
 

LEPA intends to offer an annual salary of $400,000 to $450,000 and the opportunity for a target annual bonus.  Compensation will be commensurate with experience and qualifications.

LEPA also offers a suite of benefits including:

• Paid time off and most federal holidays
• Medical insurance for employees and eligible family members
• Employer paid vision and dental insurance for employees and eligible family members
• Employer paid group short-term disability, long-term disability, life, and accidental death and dismemberment insurance
• A 401(k) program with a 100% match of employee deferrals up to 6.5% of salary and an annual non-elective ‘profit sharing’ contribution, subject to IRS limits and vesting requirements
• Employer contributions to parking or public transportation up to IRS fringe benefit limits

Requirements

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE
 

1. A J.D. degree from an ABA-accredited law school, be an active member in good standing with the Washington, D.C. Bar or any U.S. State Bar, and possess the ability to practice law at a high level
2. Seasoned Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) practitioner with at least ten years of experience and extensive knowledge of oil, natural gas, or public utility economic regulation and administrative law

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE
 

1. Fifteen plus years of experience practicing before FERC, ideally with a background in Interstate Commerce Act authority and regulations
2. Extensive experience in administrative and judicial process, including court review of federal agency actions
3. Knowledge of federal and/or state permitting of energy infrastructure
4. Knowledge of PHMSA pipeline safety regulation
5. Working with stakeholders to develop legal and regulatory advocacy positions
6. Working with corporate and partnership business leaders and legal counsel
7. Management and use of outside counsel and expert witnesses
8. Organization management, including contract drafting and non-profit law
9. Demonstration of LEPA Desired Employee Core Competencies and Behaviors

DESIRED EMPLOYEE CORE COMPETENCIES AND BEHAVIORS
 

1. Conduct and Integrity – Inspiring excellence in others by example and demonstrating concern that one be perceived as responsible, reliable, and trustworthy
2. Determination –Being resolute, ambitious, and aspiring to achieve goals for members
3. Initiative – Identifying what needs to be done, showing a sense of urgency, and taking independent action with appropriate coordination
4. Creativity – Generating and recognizing ideas, alternatives, or possibilities that may be useful in solving problems
5. Strategic Thinking – Analyzing the association’s and members’ competitive position by considering trends, stakeholders, and strengths and weaknesses when developing plans
6. Member Focus – Providing appropriate customer service to association members
7. Building Collaborative Relationships - Developing, maintaining, and strengthening partnerships with others inside and outside the organization who can provide information, assistance, and support
8. Fostering Teamwork – Working cooperatively with others as a team
9. Job Knowledge and Analytical Thinking – Demonstrating knowledge and skills in a functional area, using a logical approach to clarify a situation or make a decision, and finding effective solutions
10. Dependability – Beginning work when needed, working appropriate hours, and being dependable to others
11. Thoroughness – Ensuring that one’s own work and information is complete and accurate, carefully preparing, and following up with others to ensure that agreements and commitments are fulfilled
12. Attention to Communication – Writing and speaking in an effective manner and ensuring that information is passed on to others who should be kept informed