Kevin Greene of Troutman Sanders writes that James “Jim” Kerr, Southern Co.’s executive vice president, chief legal officer and chief compliance officer, has developed a “virtual law firm”—with his in-house counsel working in close concert with outside law firms in a manner which breaks down barriers and avoids competition and turf play. “Using this approach, Jim regularly includes key outside counsel in business planning meetings so that all attorneys understand the business needs of the client and can cooperatively engage in strategic planning of critical legal issues in a way that most efficiently enhances and protects enterprise value,” Greene writes.
Before joining Southern Co., Kerr was a state regulatory commissioner, including serving as president of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners from 2007 to 2008 and president of the Southeastern Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners from 2002 to 2003. He also was a partner in a national law firm representing utilities.
