Position Description
Providing quality legal advice on a varied range of planning and environmental legal issues across the ESB Group. Reviewing case law and legislation, working with project teams in preparation of large infrastructure planning and environmental consents, responsibility for management of legal advice and legal representation at Planning Hearings, Injunctions and Judicial Reviews and providing legal support in environmental litigation.
This role will report to Legal Manager Property, Planning & Environment and Employment Law.
Key Responsibilities of this role
The responsibilities of the successful candidate will include:
1. Working proactively and collaboratively with the Legal Manager Property, Planning, Environment and Employment Law and the Planning and Environment Team to provide high quality and timely legal advice in planning and environmental law matters to internal clients across ESB Group.
2. Managing their own workload to ensure that client’s needs are attended to in a prompt manner with clear high quality legal advice.
3. Working as part of the Planning and Environment Team and embedding with the internal client project teams as required and working with litigation team in a support role when required.
4. Advising on the necessity for, and coordinating and managing the procurement of, external legal advice when deemed necessary ensuring value for money and cost effectiveness.
5. Working effectively with external solicitor firms appointed by ESB from ESB’s panel (and with Counsel) and engaging in a positive and collaborative manner with legal teams from JV partners.
6. Maintaining positive and collaborative relationships with internal clients, the Planning and Environment Team, the wider ESB in-house legal team and external law firms appointed by ESB.
7. Keeping appraised of legislative changes and case law in the Planning and Environment area and proactively educating/training clients on the application of governance, compliance and good practice providing input to government consultations and drafting of ESB policy and standards to mitigate against legal risks.
8. Identifying, adapting, and assimilating information on existing legislation, case law and newly emerging areas of law and jurisprudence in the relevant practice area and proactively advising ESB senior management and the business on its rights, obligations, and recommended legal strategies.
9. Providing in-depth analysis of Planning and Environmental issues applying interpretative thinking to define problems and develop innovative solutions.
10. Liaising with external stakeholders such as regulatory/enforcement authorities, insurers and auditors and government departments in order to influence decision making affecting ESB.
11. Taking responsibility for the delivery of timely legal advice to assist the business units in meeting their key business goals and strategic objectives.
Essential Skills, Experience and Qualifications
The successful candidate:
12. Demonstrates an in-depth expertise in Planning and Environmental Law
13. Has a proven record of handling major legal issues and advising on large transactions/cases that have the potential to have a significant impact on the ESB Group
14. Has excellent research, analytical, drafting and negotiation skills
15. Has excellent organisation, communications, and interpersonal skills
16. Demonstrates the ability to work collaboratively across ESB Group
17. Demonstrates leadership skills, is trustworthy and behaves with integrity
18. Demonstrates commercial acumen and a solutions-based approach to handling complex legal issues
19. Demonstrates strong stakeholder management skills
20. Has an ability to work effectively under pressure and deliver results working to tight timelines
Qualification
21. Qualified Lawyer with minimum of 10 years post qualification experience with significant experience in Planning and Environmental Law.