Phoenix, Ariz. – The Arizona Corporation Commission formally announces that Thomas Van Flein has been hired as the agency’s General Counsel and Legal Division Director.  In addition, Michael Dailey has been hired as the Assistant Director for the Legal Division.

 The General Counsel oversees the Commission’s Legal Division, which operates as the in-house law firm for the Commission, except for the Securities Division.   The Legal Division provides advice and assistance to the Commission on questions concerning process, jurisdiction, rights, duties and powers of the Commission, and defends the Commission in court.  In addition, the Legal Division represents the Commission in federal and state administrative proceedings, including before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.  Currently, there are seven lawyers and two paralegals in the Division, plus support staff.

Executive Director for the Commission, Doug Clark, hired Mr. Van Flein after a candidate search: “Tom had both the legal background and skills that were needed along with the management skills that were fundamental to the position.  His experience stood out and, since he started, he has proven that we made an excellent decision.  I have noticed, as have commissioners, the dedication Tom has shown to client communication, diligent research and smart guidance.  He has also built a team that is similarly focused, and together, the Legal Division has increased its level of professionalism and training.”

Mr. Van Flein formerly worked in Congress as a general counsel to the Congressional Western Caucus (which focused on water and energy) and to a member of Congress.  Prior to that he was a member of Clapp, Peterson, Van Flein, Tiemessen and Thorsness, and handled a variety of litigation matters including administrative law, appellate and utility work, after initially starting his career with the international law firm Paul Hastings.   He was a law clerk on the Alaska Supreme Court for Justice Edmund Burke.  He received his Juris Doctorate from the University of Arizona, James Rogers College of Law where he was the Editor-in-Chief of the Arizona Journal of International and Comparative Law and was selected as the Outstanding Advocate for his class.  He is actively licensed in Arizona and Alaska and is licensed in California but inactive.  

Mike Dailey was also hired as the Assistant Director for the Legal Division.   He comes to the Commission after working for the Office of the Arizona Attorney General  (AGO) for over twelve years on a variety of civil and criminal matters.  After admission to the Arizona Bar in 1998, Mike worked in the private sector practicing business law, civil litigation, consumer fraud, plaintiff class action, insurance defense, and construction defect defense litigation.  Given his desire to serve the public, Mike joined the Securities Division as an enforcement attorney in 2006 where he worked for six years investigating and prosecuting securities and investment fraud cases. During his tenure at the AGO, Mike served as both Senior Litigation Counsel, and Chief Counsel of the Financial Remedies Section of the Criminal Division supervising a large staff of prosecutors, paralegals, secretaries and property managers located in two offices.  

Under the Legal Division’s new leadership, an emphasis has been placed on core legal skills, prompt client service, professionalism, the pursuit of excellence and efficient procurement of just and positive case outcomes.  The Division’s new Director has also prioritized education and training of Legal Division staff, ensuring open lines of communication and ensuring that the Commission is carrying out its constitutional and legislative mandates as intended.

Executive Director, Doug Clark remarked that “the Legal Division has undergone a much-needed revitalization and both Tom and Mike have hit the ground running. “