The Next Hundred Years 139 Legal Jef Clark was a former RG&E employee who helped his internal client Phil Brooks with RG&E legal issues during their time together. After several years at P&CG, Phil learned that Jef had begun a new practice with Bond, Schoeneck & King. He immediately called Jef to say, “You were my attorney then, and you are my attorney now,” and began sending P&CG work his way. Jef became LA’s frst in-house attorney on June 1, 2015, to keep up with the growing volume of work. Dorothy Cauwels declares this date “the best day of my life!” She no longer had to take contracts and other legal documents home to read, propped up on pillows in bed until she fell asleep trying to understand the legal jargon before giving the executives the nod for signature. With in-house counsel providing a legal presence in decision making, P&CG can deal with legal matters in real time and reduce risk. Jef has brought order to our corporate documents, providing a clearer view in a complete package. His day-to-day work entails contract review, managing claims, guiding the Human Resources staf, and providing guidance on what legal principles are involved in myriad situations. He also leads the company’s annual board meetings, with an eye to compliance, good governance, and best practices. Jef Clark, right, crafts legal agreements that greatly beneft the company. Scott Ingalls signs the latest. Known for his generosity, Jef has made himself available to help employees with vehicle, family, landlord, and contract issues. Jef’s rates are cheap! Proud to be known as the company snack scrounger, he often accepts payment in snacks—He prefers salty over sweet ones. Jef is also a talented vocalist and guitarist, and he considers it a perk of the job that his band, Better Days, is the ofcial band of P&CG, performing at all company functions. Jef recalls one of the biggest challenges of his time at LA was advising Dick Ash to sign documents related to real estate ownership, just before Dick’s death. His success helped to ensure the company could continue into perpetuity at its current location. Jef believes Dick’s cooperation stemmed from a time when Jef successfully resolved a large insurance claim—winning Dick’s confdence that Jef would act in the best interest of the company. To Jef, P&CG is a client who acts more like a relative. Personal relationships are the best part of the job and what he will miss most upon retirement. He feels a part of the fabric of the company and its plan for success. Jef is grateful that his counsel, in a company as ethical and successful as P&CG, has not only been sought but appreciated.
