Jody Lamar Finklea is the General Counsel and Chief Legal Officer for Florida Municipal Power Agency, a position he has held since September 2017. As General Counsel, Finklea is responsible for the legal and regulatory compliance (NERC) areas for FMPA.

Finklea joined FMPA in 2001 and has held several positions during his tenure. Previously, he served as Deputy General Counsel and Manager of Legal Affairs. Prior to FMPA, Finklea practiced law with Hopping Green & Sams, P.A. in Tallahassee, Florida.

Finklea has more than 22 years of experience in municipal utility law. Finklea also represents the Florida Municipal Electric Association (FMEA) as its General and Regulatory Counsel. As legal counsel to FMPA and FMEA, and each of their utility members, Finklea represents the interests of all Florida’s public power utilities at both the wholesale and retail levels.

Finklea holds a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., a master’s degree in public administration from the University of North Florida and a juris doctor degree from The Florida State University College of Law. He is admitted to The Florida Bar and has been board certified as an expert in city, county and local government law since 2006.

Finklea is active in the American Public Power Association (APPA) and served as the 2017 Chairman of the Legal Section. In 2011, Finklea was recognized by APPA as a Rising Star in Public Power.

He holds a peer review rating as AV-Preeminent by Martindale Hubble.