Energy Firm Avista Corp. Names Successor to Longtime Legal Chief

Avista Corp. will soon have a new top in-house lawyer, a little more than a year after the energy company’s proposed $3.4 billion sale to Canada’s Hydro One Ltd. was abandoned in the face of opposition from state regulators.

The Spokane, Wash.-based utility, which provides electricity, natural gas, and other energy services to customers in parts of Oregon, northern Idaho, and eastern Washington, announced Feb. 10 that senior vice president, chief legal officer, and corporate secretary Marian Durkin will retire Aug. 1, ceding most of her duties to designated successor Gregory Hesler.

Durkin’s pending retirement will come exactly 15 years ...