Legal Operations Intern Jobs in Tennessee (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $82,100.00 - $131,300.00 Annually
Location : 445 S. Gay Street Knoxville, TN
Job Type: Full-Time/Regular
Job Number: 01301
Department: Executive
Opening Date: 08/04/2026
Closing Date: 8/18/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
About KUB: KUB is one of the largest public utilities in the country providing safe, reliable, and affordable electric, gas, water, wastewater, and fiber services to more than 520,000 customers in Knoxville and parts of seven surrounding counties. We are looking for employees who want to be a part of a mission-driven organization with strong values that support a skilled, diverse, and inclusive workforce.
Join Our New Legal Team and Help Shape the Future of KUB!Are you a legal professional with an agile mindset and an interest in public service? KUB is seeking a proactive, solutions-driven lawyer to support our General Counsel in overseeing all legal aspects of KUB's operations and building out our internal legal function.
As KUB's second in-house lawyer, you will assist our General Counsel with managing legal risks, ensuring regulatory compliance, and helping KUB navigate a rapidly evolving utility landscape, all while contributing to the development and implementation of new legal processes.
Why KUB?

• Make a Meaningful Impact - Play a role in decisions that affect our customers and community.
• Help Build a High-Performance Legal Team - Develop a culture and workflow that prioritizes ethical, accurate, candid, timely, actionable, and cost-effective legal services.
• Contribute to a Collaborative Environment - Work with talented, mission-driven colleagues dedicated to integrity, service, and excellence.
• Competitive Compensation & Benefits - Enjoy a strong benefits package, professional growth opportunities, and work-life balance.

Key Responsibilities:

• Legal Advice: Analyze laws, regulations, and precedents; determine whether they apply to KUB; advise the General Counsel and other managers as to KUB's rights, obligations, and options; and suggest courses of action to mitigate risk and ensure compliance.
• Legal Advocacy: Present (or coordinate with outside counsel presenting) evidence and legal arguments in negotiations and judicial and administrative proceedings.
• Legal Drafting: Prepare and review legal documents, including procurement contracts, land conveyances (especially easements), court filings, employment and other policies, etc.
• Legal Training: Develop and deliver training programs to KUB employees on legal topics.
• Intra/Cross-Department Collaboration: Work closely with the General Counsel and other managers to provide legal guidance on operational matters and ensure all business activities are legally sound

Qualifications
Minimum Requirements:

• A juris doctor (JD) or equivalent law degree from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association (or a Tennessee law school approved by the Tennessee Board of Law Examiners) and an active Tennessee law license or eligibility for admission to the practice of law in Tennessee without examination. Law students and law graduates will be considered if scheduled to receive their law degree and take the Tennessee bar examination by no later than July 2027.
• Skill in communicating legal issues to legal and non-legal audiences both orally and in writing; developing creative legal arguments and strategies; exercising discretion, handling sensitive matters, and maintaining confidentiality; taking initiative, setting goals, managing time, prioritizing tasks, meeting deadlines, and working independently; and thinking strategically and applying good judgment and a business mindset to legal issues.
• A valid driver's license.

Preferred Requirements:

• One or more of the following: (a) experience as an in-house or outside counsel or law clerk/legal intern to a public utility, governmental agency, regulated industry, or judge; (b) two (2) or more years of non-lawyer experience in a contract management, public procurement, or regulatory compliance role; or (c) experience on the staff of a law review or law journal.

This is a non-classified position exempted from KUB Merit System rules. Please note that due to job responsibilities KUB does not provide immigration sponsorship for and/or based on this position.
Selection Process
About the Selection Process:
Phase 1 - Apply online at www.kub.org
Phase 2 - Experience, training, and education evaluation
Phase 3 - Interview with department representatives
Phase 4 - Written, performance, and behavioral exercises
Phase 5 - Background Investigation
Phase 6 - Physical assessment and/or drug screen*
*KUB is part of the Tennessee Drug Free Workplace Program
If special accommodations are needed at any phase of the selection process, please notify Human Resources in advance.
Knoxville Utilities Board is an Equal Opportunity Employer

• Generous health benefits with low premiums and deductibles
• Benefits start day 1
• Competitive 401(k) contribution and match
• PTO available for use after your first payday
• 11 paid holidays
• Free financial advising
• Educational assistance & professional development opportunities
• Employee physical & mental wellness programs

01
*Required* Did you attach a copy of your cover letter, resume, and law school transcript? This is a requirement of the application process. Please make sure it is in the "Attachments" section.

• Yes
• No

02
*Required* Please attach a legal writing sample of 5-10 pages prefaced by a brief statement regarding the level of review and revision provided by any third parties, such as supervising lawyers or law professors, and affirming that no artificial intelligence was used. This is a requirement of the application process. Please make sure it is in the "Attachments" section.

• Yes
• No

03
Do you have a Juris Doctor (JD) or equivalent law degree from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association (or a Tennessee law school approved by the Tennessee Board of Law Examiners)?

• Yes
• No

04
Do you have an active Tennessee law license or are you eligible for admission to practice law in Tennessee without examination?

• Yes
• No

05
Are you a law student or law graduate scheduled to receive your degree and take the Tennessee bar exam no later than July 2027?

• Yes
• No

06
Please select all experience that applies to you:

• Experience as an in-house or outside counsel
• Experience as a law clerk/legal intern to a public utility, government agency, regulated industry, or judge
• Two or more years of non-lawyer experience in a contract management, public procurement, or regulatory compliance role
• Experience on the staff of a law review or law journal

07
Describe a time when you joined a new team, function, or initiative where processes, roles, or expectations were still evolving. How did you adapt, and what was the outcome?
08
Describe why you are interested in this position and working at KUB.
09
If you answered "Career/Job Fair," Employee Referral," or "Other" to the 'how did you first hear about this opportunity' question, please include details here. If 'no,' please type "N/A" in the text box.
10
Describe your reasons for leaving your jobs within the past seven years.
Required Question