Chief Legal Counsel, Office of Public Counsel
Florida Legislature
Tallahassee, FL, USA
4/18/2026
Legal
Full time
Salary: $59,772.00 - $131,568.00 Annually
Location : Tallahassee, Florida
Job Type: Pay Grade 9 +
Job Number: 202500101
Office: Office of Public Counsel
Opening Date: 03/11/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
General Summary
Job Title
Chief Attorney, Office of Public Counsel
The Work You Will Do
The Office of Public Counsel seeks a talented and experienced supervising attorney to lead, guide, and train litigation teams to achieve successful outcomes for Florida's utility customers. You will play a critical role as the statutory intervenor for cases involving utility rate affordability, data center tariffs and agreements, clean energy resources, storm hardening plans, hurricane restoration costs, corporate accounting and finance, capital investment plans, and the cost-effective development and integration of future energy technologies. You will also take or supervise direct appeals to the Florida Supreme Court for electric and gas cases, and to the First District Court of Appeals for water cases.
If you bring the willingness to devote yourself to mastery of public utilities law, we will invest the substantial time and resources required to succeed in a rapidly changing legal specialty. You will receive collaborative support from our experienced attorneys, industry consultants, legal assistants, and other intervening cooperative partners to prepare you for success in this exciting industry.
OUR ORGANIZATION
The Office of Public Counsel has zealously represented Florida's customers in high profile litigation for the past 52 years. We intervene as a matter of right to represent residential, commercial, and industrial customers in proceedings involving the collective interests of all customers of Florida's publicly owned utilities. Our advocates actively confront critical affordability issues where the amounts in controversy can exceed billions of dollars, in public hearings before the Public Service Commission.
The Office of Public Counsel performs independent analyses, presents testimony of expert witnesses, deposes and cross-examines utility witnesses, files recommendations and present oral arguments. Our attorneys manage their own cases and can work toward negotiated settlements that result in fair, just, and reasonable outcomes for all customers.
Examples of Work Performed
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Minimum Qualifications
Attorney in good standing with The Florida Bar, possessing impeccable credentials and at least three years of significant litigation experience. Appellate experience is helpful but not required. Industry-specific knowledge is beneficial but can be taught.
SALARY RANGE
$59,772-$131,568, commensurate with skills and experience; current salary is highly relevant.
BENEFITS
Excellent individual and family health benefits including free dental insurance. Retirement plan options that include employer contributions. Utilize state tuition opportunities to secure advanced degrees. In addition to accruing leave, sick leave and enjoying state holidays, achieve work-life balance capturing excess litigation hours towards block leave, with an annual 200 hour carryforward to offset the demands of trying 2-3 large cases a year.
APPLICATION DEADLINE
This position will remain open until it is filled.
ACCOMMODATION FOR DISABILITY
Please notify Human Resources at (850) 488-6803 regarding accommodation for persons with disabilities.
Personally explore this opportunity by contacting the Public Counsel, Walt Trierweiler, directly by phone or text at (850) 717-0326, or by email at You are encouraged to visit our in Tallahassee and meet the wonderful people you will be working with.
Working for the Florida Legislature includes a lucrative benefits package, including affordable health insurance options, free dental, long-term disability and employee life insurance, as well as competitive retirement. Employees have access to a college tuition waiver program, an employee assistance program, paid annual and sick leave, and paid holidays. Learn more below!
Health and Dental Insurance
Employees have a choice of participating in the State Self Insured Plan or a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) if available in the county of residence or employment (Standard and High Deductible Investor plans are available). Full-time employees pay $30 per month for family coverage or $8.34 per month for individual coverage. Part-time employees pay premiums based on the total hours of work. For dental insurance, the Legislature offers a PPO plan that offers choice of dentist and pays from 50 to 100 percent of usual, customary, and reasonable charges. There is a $1500 maximum benefit per plan year. The Legislature pays the total premium for full-time employees and part-time employees pay premiums based on the total hours of work.
Leave Accrual Benefits
Annual Leave accrues as follows based on creditable state service:
Up to 5 years - 11 hours per month 5 to 10 years - 13 hours per month Over 10 years - 15 hours per month
Sick Leave accrues at 9 hours per month for all full-time employees.
Life and Disability Insurance
Group Term life Insurance with an accidental death and dismemberment benefit provides $25,000 coverage. The Legislature pays the total premium for full-time employees and part-time employees pay premiums based on the total hours of work. For disability insurance, the Legislature offers a Group Long Term Disability Insurance Plan that provides a monthly benefit of 60 percent of covered monthly earnings after an elimination period of 360 days. The Legislature pays the total premium.
Retirement
Participation in the Florida Retirement System is compulsory for all salaried staff, except certain re-employed retirees. New employees have until the end of the eighth month following their first month of employment to select a retirement plan, from the traditional pension plan or the investment plan. New employees will receive an informational packet approximately two months after the hire date. Members and staff contribute 3% of their salary towards retirement and the Legislature pays the remainder of the premium
Florida Pre-Tax Plan and Deferred Compensation Plan
This state sponsored program includes Supplemental Insurance Plans, Health Savings Account (when enrolled with an Investor Health Plan), and a Flexible Spending Program on a pretax basis. The Supplemental Insurance Plans include hospitalization, cancer/intensive care, dental, vision, and accidental/disability. The Flexible Spending Program includes healthcare and dependent care accounts. A competitive Deferred Compensation Plan is also offered. The State of Florida Deferred Compensation Plan offers a number of investment options including variable annuities, mutual funds, and a bank, with a variety of contract providers.
Paid Holidays
New Year's Day - Martin Luther King Day - Memorial Day - Independence Day - Labor Day - Veteran's Day - Thanksgiving Day - Friday After Thanksgiving - Christmas Day - Personal Holiday
Total Compensation Statement
The Total Compensation Statement provides a monetary value of each benefit listed below as well as a total annual compensation estimate. The annual salary amount used in this example is $60,000. Note: All values are based on individual plans.
Location : Tallahassee, Florida
Job Type: Pay Grade 9 +
Job Number: 202500101
Office: Office of Public Counsel
Opening Date: 03/11/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
General Summary
Job Title
Chief Attorney, Office of Public Counsel
The Work You Will Do
The Office of Public Counsel seeks a talented and experienced supervising attorney to lead, guide, and train litigation teams to achieve successful outcomes for Florida's utility customers. You will play a critical role as the statutory intervenor for cases involving utility rate affordability, data center tariffs and agreements, clean energy resources, storm hardening plans, hurricane restoration costs, corporate accounting and finance, capital investment plans, and the cost-effective development and integration of future energy technologies. You will also take or supervise direct appeals to the Florida Supreme Court for electric and gas cases, and to the First District Court of Appeals for water cases.
If you bring the willingness to devote yourself to mastery of public utilities law, we will invest the substantial time and resources required to succeed in a rapidly changing legal specialty. You will receive collaborative support from our experienced attorneys, industry consultants, legal assistants, and other intervening cooperative partners to prepare you for success in this exciting industry.
OUR ORGANIZATION
The Office of Public Counsel has zealously represented Florida's customers in high profile litigation for the past 52 years. We intervene as a matter of right to represent residential, commercial, and industrial customers in proceedings involving the collective interests of all customers of Florida's publicly owned utilities. Our advocates actively confront critical affordability issues where the amounts in controversy can exceed billions of dollars, in public hearings before the Public Service Commission.
The Office of Public Counsel performs independent analyses, presents testimony of expert witnesses, deposes and cross-examines utility witnesses, files recommendations and present oral arguments. Our attorneys manage their own cases and can work toward negotiated settlements that result in fair, just, and reasonable outcomes for all customers.
Examples of Work Performed
- Customer Advocacy: Continue to hone your advocacy skills in a variety of public venues to promote the best interests of Florida's customers, ranging from the highest courts to local service hearings within impacted communities. Multilingual ability is an asset but not required.
- Advocate for Much Needed Regulatory Change: Enforce the existing regulatory framework and recommend improvements to promote positive outcomes for Florida's customers.
- Depositions and Cross Examination: Conduct written discovery, depositions, and cross examination of industry experts and executives.
- Expert Witnesses: Retain, prepare, and defend your own industry experts in depositions and hearings.
- Advance Your Litigation Skills: Present persuasive advocacy in televised hearings; brief and argue your own cases on appeal.
- Lead, Mentor, and Develop: As a member of the leadership team, set the example, mentor, and encourage the future success of junior counsel in a collaborative environment.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Display increasing mastery of the rules related to litigation practice in Florida.
- Comprehend, utilize, and organize complex documents, legal theories, and research.
- Interpret state and federal legislation, laws, and rules.
- Employ legal reasoning to anticipate challenges and implement creative solutions.
- Advocate effectively in written and oral communications.
- Display independent leadership, cooperative teamwork, initiative, and common sense.
- Work collaboratively with outside counsel, expert witnesses, officials, and public staff.
- Conduct effective and efficient meetings and presentations.
- Prepare well-written, accurate, and persuasive legal writing.
- Conduct relevant and effective legal research to support your positions.
- Prepare and present trial briefs, motions, pleadings, and oral arguments.
- Recognize the need to practice good stewardship over all public funds and property.
- Acknowledge the responsibility to uphold the highest standards of ethics and professionalism.
- Never fail to safeguard confidential and sensitive information or to uphold the public trust.
- Graciously interact with the public, treating all people with courtesy, dignity, and respect.
- Energetically advocate for affordable utility rates and other positive litigation outcomes.
- Readily put forth the full effort required to organize, plan, and achieve your litigation goals.
Minimum Qualifications
Attorney in good standing with The Florida Bar, possessing impeccable credentials and at least three years of significant litigation experience. Appellate experience is helpful but not required. Industry-specific knowledge is beneficial but can be taught.
SALARY RANGE
$59,772-$131,568, commensurate with skills and experience; current salary is highly relevant.
BENEFITS
Excellent individual and family health benefits including free dental insurance. Retirement plan options that include employer contributions. Utilize state tuition opportunities to secure advanced degrees. In addition to accruing leave, sick leave and enjoying state holidays, achieve work-life balance capturing excess litigation hours towards block leave, with an annual 200 hour carryforward to offset the demands of trying 2-3 large cases a year.
APPLICATION DEADLINE
This position will remain open until it is filled.
ACCOMMODATION FOR DISABILITY
Please notify Human Resources at (850) 488-6803 regarding accommodation for persons with disabilities.
Personally explore this opportunity by contacting the Public Counsel, Walt Trierweiler, directly by phone or text at (850) 717-0326, or by email at You are encouraged to visit our in Tallahassee and meet the wonderful people you will be working with.
Working for the Florida Legislature includes a lucrative benefits package, including affordable health insurance options, free dental, long-term disability and employee life insurance, as well as competitive retirement. Employees have access to a college tuition waiver program, an employee assistance program, paid annual and sick leave, and paid holidays. Learn more below!
Health and Dental Insurance
Employees have a choice of participating in the State Self Insured Plan or a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) if available in the county of residence or employment (Standard and High Deductible Investor plans are available). Full-time employees pay $30 per month for family coverage or $8.34 per month for individual coverage. Part-time employees pay premiums based on the total hours of work. For dental insurance, the Legislature offers a PPO plan that offers choice of dentist and pays from 50 to 100 percent of usual, customary, and reasonable charges. There is a $1500 maximum benefit per plan year. The Legislature pays the total premium for full-time employees and part-time employees pay premiums based on the total hours of work.
Leave Accrual Benefits
Annual Leave accrues as follows based on creditable state service:
Up to 5 years - 11 hours per month 5 to 10 years - 13 hours per month Over 10 years - 15 hours per month
Sick Leave accrues at 9 hours per month for all full-time employees.
Life and Disability Insurance
Group Term life Insurance with an accidental death and dismemberment benefit provides $25,000 coverage. The Legislature pays the total premium for full-time employees and part-time employees pay premiums based on the total hours of work. For disability insurance, the Legislature offers a Group Long Term Disability Insurance Plan that provides a monthly benefit of 60 percent of covered monthly earnings after an elimination period of 360 days. The Legislature pays the total premium.
Retirement
Participation in the Florida Retirement System is compulsory for all salaried staff, except certain re-employed retirees. New employees have until the end of the eighth month following their first month of employment to select a retirement plan, from the traditional pension plan or the investment plan. New employees will receive an informational packet approximately two months after the hire date. Members and staff contribute 3% of their salary towards retirement and the Legislature pays the remainder of the premium
Florida Pre-Tax Plan and Deferred Compensation Plan
This state sponsored program includes Supplemental Insurance Plans, Health Savings Account (when enrolled with an Investor Health Plan), and a Flexible Spending Program on a pretax basis. The Supplemental Insurance Plans include hospitalization, cancer/intensive care, dental, vision, and accidental/disability. The Flexible Spending Program includes healthcare and dependent care accounts. A competitive Deferred Compensation Plan is also offered. The State of Florida Deferred Compensation Plan offers a number of investment options including variable annuities, mutual funds, and a bank, with a variety of contract providers.
Paid Holidays
New Year's Day - Martin Luther King Day - Memorial Day - Independence Day - Labor Day - Veteran's Day - Thanksgiving Day - Friday After Thanksgiving - Christmas Day - Personal Holiday
Total Compensation Statement
The Total Compensation Statement provides a monetary value of each benefit listed below as well as a total annual compensation estimate. The annual salary amount used in this example is $60,000. Note: All values are based on individual plans.