Description
Corporate Counsel
Work Location: Helena, MT
Pay range: $102,200 to $181,700 per year
Employment Status: Regular Full-time
External candidates apply at northwesternenergy.com
About this position:
NorthWestern Energy is looking for an experienced lawyer to handle regulatory matters involving electric transmission to represent the Company before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) as well as before various administrative agencies, including the Montana Public Service Commission (Montana PSC). This position will involve independence and responsibility in the work performed with the support of a dynamic legal team. You will build relationships within our expansive company as you work and develop a wide variety of cases. This job has professional growth potential. You will receive and supply mentoring, giving you the opportunity to provide the team with your own expertise. The extensive knowledge in energy law needed for this position can be learned as long as the successful candidate has litigation and/or administrative law experience with an interest in transaction work, including electric transaction planning.
We emphasize our relationship with our employees and focus heavily on company culture to benefit the communities we serve and the environment in which we operate.
We offer great benefits:
NorthWestern Energy is a fully regulated electric and natural gas utility serving Montana, South Dakota and Nebraska. We employ over 1,600 amazing people and serve over 800,000 customers who are our neighbors in our communities. We are a top employer and offer competitive benefits, including:
401K with company match up to 4% and non-elective contribution up to 7%
Healthcare and wellbeing programs, including dental and vision for you, your spouse and dependents, Health Savings Account (HSA), healthcare and dependent care flexible spending account (FSA)
Employee Assistance Program (Offering up to six free counseling sessions, per person, per issue, per year for employees, spouses and dependents)
Life Insurance (Company pays basic employee policy; spouse, dependent insurance also available)
Tuition reimbursement
Competitive pay (Scheduled performance-based wage increases and annual incentive opportunities)
Paid company endorsed volunteer opportunities
Paid training opportunities
Paid time off starting on your first day, plus 11 paid holidays
Benefits may vary by position or as negotiated as part of a collective bargaining agreement.
About this job:
Represent NorthWestern Energy before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and Montana PSC as well as other administrative agencies, in dockets including electric transmission compliance filings, applications requesting modifications to pro forma contract language, rate cases, tariff filings, complaint proceedings, and other regulatory applications and filings
Focus areas for Federal Energy Regulatory Commission work may include: transactions subject to Section 203 of the Federal Power Act, rate filings under Section 205 of the Federal Power Act, compliance with FERC regulatory requirements, and regulatory litigation
Conduct legal research
Draft all forms of legal documents, including contracts, contract amendments, compliance filings, tariff provisions, pleadings, discovery requests and responses, petitions, motions, briefs, affidavits, memos, reports, and presentations
Draft comments on proposed rulemakings and other non-contested case dockets before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and other regulatory agencies
Advise internal energy supply, finance, and transmission clients on state and federal regulatory issues, interpretation of contract language, and other legal issues
Participate in, civil disputes and other legal work outside of the regulatory arena
Develop legal assessments, research legal issues, interpretations, recommendations, and opinions on regulatory and other issues
Work with outside counsel as appropriate
Representation in court, and out of court, on civil matters or judicial review of agency decisions
Travel to meetings and conferences (up to 5% of the time)
Perform all other related duties as required
All NorthWestern Energy employees are required to adhere to company safety standards and the Code of Business Conduct & Ethics
Ensure all actions are consistent with NorthWestern Energy’s values, mission, and strategic business objectives
Requirements
Demonstrate and maintain a good safety record
Must be a member of the State Bar of Montana, able to be admitted as a member on motion, or must take and pass the next available Montana Bar exam
Prefer at least five years of legal experience in the legal department of a corporation, law firm, or state or federal regulatory or administrative agency
Experience in reviewing and/or drafting contracts dealing with technical subject matters is preferred
Prefer first chair experience in administrative or litigation cases
Knowledge of FERC proceedings and policies
Some knowledge of electric and natural gas industries preferred, including general rate case matters (e.g. cost of service and rate design issues), electric transmission issues, and Public Utilities Regulatory Policy Act (“PURPA”) related issues
Knowledge of law and legal research techniques, contract drafting and interpretation
Must maintain a high degree of confidentiality
Must think strategically
Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills
Must excel at working in a team environment
Must be very detail-oriented and maintain a high degree of accuracy
Ability to work independently without supervision
Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, complete work in a timely manner, and balance the needs of multiple internal clients
Must be willing to work under and have a demonstrated ability to meet rigorous deadlines
Must be a proficient user of Microsoft Outlook and Word. Experience with SharePoint, Excel, and PowerPoint is a plus
Get Into Energy – Energy Industry Fundamental 2.0 certification is a plus (click the link to certify at no cost)
Requisition #4945
Posting Dates: February 13, 2026 through Open Unit Filled
Department/Division: Legal
Employment Physical: Not Required
Drug Test: Required
Background Check: Required
Relocation Benefit: Negotiable
Telecommuting: Part-time negotiable within NorthWestern Energy service territory
