Corporation Counsel - Portland Water District

Date Posted: July 14, 2026 | End Date: December 31, 2026
County: Cumberland County
Job Type: Water & Wastewater

Corporation Counsel (General Counsel / In-House Counsel)

Senior Attorney | Municipal Law | Public Utility Law | Environmental & Regulatory Compliance

Help Shape the Future of Public Water and Wastewater Services in Maine

Portland Water District (PWD) is seeking an experienced Corporation Counsel to serve as the organization's chief in-house legal counsel, trusted legal advisor, and strategic partner to the Board of Trustees, General Manager, and senior leadership team.

This is an exceptional opportunity for an accomplished attorney, general counsel, or corporate counsel looking to make a meaningful impact through public service. As the District's lead legal advisor, you'll provide guidance on municipal law, public utility law, environmental law, regulatory compliance, governance, contracts, labor and employment matters, real estate transactions, public policy, risk management, and litigation oversight.

Your work will directly support an organization that delivers safe, reliable water and wastewater services to more than 200,000 residents and businesses throughout Greater Portland, Maine.

If you're looking for a rewarding legal career in Maine where your expertise influences public infrastructure, environmental stewardship, and community well-being, we'd love to hear from you.

What You'll Do

As Corporation Counsel, you'll provide proactive, practical legal advice across a broad range of issues affecting a public utility and quasi-municipal organization.

Key responsibilities include:

• Serve as chief legal counsel to the Board of Trustees, General Manager, executive leadership, and staff.
• Advise on compliance with federal, state, and local laws, regulations, administrative rules, and District policies.
• Draft, review, negotiate, and interpret contracts, procurement documents, real estate transactions, easements, resolutions, leases, and other legal instruments.
• Represent the District in regulatory proceedings, administrative hearings, arbitration, litigation management, legislative matters, and government relations.
• Lead legislative initiatives and monitor proposed laws impacting public utilities, municipalities, water systems, and environmental regulation.
• Manage Freedom of Access Act (FOAA) requests, liability claims, insurance matters, and relationships with outside legal counsel.
• Provide legal guidance on governance, public procurement, capital improvement projects, land management, environmental compliance, ethics, and strategic initiatives.
• Advise senior leadership on employment law, labor relations, personnel matters, and workplace policies while coordinating with outside labor counsel.
• Identify legal risks and develop practical solutions that support organizational goals while protecting PWD's interests.

Qualifications

We're seeking an experienced attorney with strong legal judgment and a collaborative approach.

Required Qualifications:

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school.
• Active membership in good standing with the Maine Bar.
• Admission to the Federal Bar or ability to obtain admission.
• Minimum of five (5) years of legal experience.

Preferred Experience:

Experience in one or more of the following areas is highly desirable:

• Municipal Law
• Public Utility Law
• Real Estate Law
• Contract Law
• Government Law
• Environmental Law
• Administrative Law
• Regulatory Compliance
• Corporate Governance
• Public Procurement
• Risk Management
• Legislative Affairs

Additional Qualifications:

• Outstanding legal research, writing, negotiation, and communication skills.
• Ability to interpret complex laws and provide practical business-oriented legal advice.
• Strong relationship-building skills with elected officials, executives, regulatory agencies, and community stakeholders.
• Valid Maine driver's license and satisfactory driving record.

Why Portland Water District?

For more than a century, Portland Water District has protected public health, supported economic development, and safeguarded Maine's natural resources. As an independent quasi-municipal utility, we provide high-quality drinking water and wastewater services throughout Greater Portland.

Why You'll Love This Opportunity

Mission-Driven Legal Work
Use your legal expertise to protect public health, preserve natural resources, and support essential public infrastructure.

Executive-Level Leadership
Partner directly with executive leadership and the Board of Trustees while serving as the organization's chief legal advisor.

Broad and Engaging Legal Practice
Handle diverse legal matters involving municipal governance, environmental compliance, public utility regulation, contracts, land conservation, infrastructure projects, employment issues, public records, procurement, and legislative affairs.

Community Impact
Your work helps ensure safe, reliable water and wastewater services for more than 200,000 people across Southern Maine.

Professional Growth & Work-Life Balance
Join a respected organization that values collaboration, innovation, professional development, integrity, and work-life balance.

Join Our Team

Salary Range $141,400 - $166,300

If you're an experienced Maine attorney, general counsel, corporation counsel, municipal attorney, government attorney, public utility attorney, or in-house counsel looking for a challenging and rewarding legal career, we encourage you to apply.

Help shape the future of public water and wastewater services while protecting one of Maine's most valuable public resources. Your legal expertise can make a lasting impact on the communities we serve.

Applicants who are not currently based in Maine should include a brief statement addressing their plans and readiness to relocate, including timing, admittance to the Maine Bar and reason for interest in the region.