Lead Counsel

EDF; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 145,000 - 241,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Health coverage

RRSP/DPSP Canada

Parental leave

Learning & development

Mentorship program

Job summary

EDF Power Solutions North America is seeking a Senior Counsel with deep expertise in renewable energy law, project finance, and corporate transactions. You will lead negotiations on complex contracts, such as PPAs, interconnection and transmission agreements, and real property documents, while guiding governance and compliance for grid-scale projects.

You will manage multiple transactions, advise cross-functional teams, and help shape legal strategy across North America, including Canada and the

Qualifications

• Bar license in at least one North American jurisdiction.
• Juris Doctorate from ABA-accredited US law school or LLB from Canadian law school.
• Typically 10+ years of legal experience in transactions and renewables.
• Experience drafting/negotiating PPA, MSA, JV agreements, project financing.
• Experience overseeing outside litigation counsel and coordinating with internal clients.

Responsibilities

• Lead negotiations and drafting of commercial contracts, M&A docs, and related agreements; support project development and permitting.
• Manage due diligence for project debt/equity financing and related agreements; ensure regulatory compliance.
• Oversee in-house or external counsel and provide strategic legal guidance on regulatory strategy.
• Develop training programs and improve legal-department processes to mitigate risk.
• Mentor team members and provide leadership across North America legal matters.

Skills

Oral and written communication

Commercial drafting

Negotiation

Relationship-building

Judgement and decision-making

Education

Juris Doctorate / LLB

Bar license (US/Canada)

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Scope of Position

About Us:

EDF power solutions North America has been providing clean energy solutions throughout the U.S., Canada, and Mexico since 1987. We are a market-leading independent power producer and service provider, serving utilities, corporations, industries, communities, institutions, and investors with reliable, low-carbon energy solutions that help meet growing demand.

From developing and building scalable wind (onshore and offshore), solar, storage (battery and pumped storage hydro), smart EV charging, microgrids, green hydrogen, and transmission projects, to maximizing performance and profitability through skilled operations and maintenance and innovative asset optimization, our teams deliver expert solutions along the entire value chain—from origination to commercial operation.

Be a part of an innovative and collaborative team environment that fosters our goal of delivering renewable solutions to lead the transition to a sustainable energy future.

Benefits & Perks:

EDF power solutions offers best-in-class employee benefits, including the following:

• Competitive bonus incentives. This position is eligible for our annual bonus program.
• Comprehensive health coverage. We provide low-cost health & wellness coverage for employees and their eligible dependents.
• Rewarding 401k (USA) or RRSP/DPSP (Canada). We provide a generous matching contribution.

We are also proud to offer:

• Favorable paid time off programs, including paid parental leave after one year of service.
• Rewarding learning & career development and advancement opportunities.
• Supportive mentorship & buddy programs.

Salary Range:

Canada salary: $144,700 - $241,100

U.S. salary range: $154,800 - $258,100

We generally base our salary decisions on factors including but not limited to, relevant work and leadership experience, education, demonstrated performance, internal equity, and in some cases, geographic location.

Canada Work Locations:

• Montreal, Quebec
• Toronto, Ontario,

U.S. Work Locations:

• Bloomington, MN
• Houston, TX
• San Diego, CA

Work Mode: Hybrid

Senior Counsel, is a corporate transactions attorney with demonstrated expertise in renewable energy law, encompassing corporate law, mergers and acquisitions (including joint ventures and partnerships), project finance, and procurement and construction contracts. This role involves leading the negotiation and review of contracts such as offtake-agreements, interconnection and transmission agreements, and real property agreements, while also addressing permitting matters and compliance issues within organized energy markets (i.e., ISOs/RTOs). Focused on grid-scale projects and pre-commercial operations, Senior Counsel, handles corporate governance matters and provides legal input for the development, construction, acquisition, financing, operation, maintenance, and disposition of infrastructure and renewable energy projects. Additionally, this position involves reviewing and negotiating service agreements and non-disclosure agreements as business needs arise, while offering leadership and guidance to the business in this specialized area of expertise.

Position can be based in one of the company's North America work locations referenced above. Other work location and work mode options will also be considered.

Responsibilities

• Leads negotiations, drafting, and critical review of commercial contracts, merger and acquisition agreements (e.g., cash equity sales, buying and selling of projects) and ancillary documents, including joint ventures and partnerships; project debt finance documents; offtake agreements; and interconnection and transmission-related documents. Supports general project development and construction activities, including permitting and strategic planning, while providing counsel and advice to cross-functional stakeholders to establish the company’s legal strategy for specific transactions and other corporate, transactional, and regulatory matters.
• Supports internal clients and other legal team members with the due diligence process for transactions related to project debt financing, project equity financing, purchase and sale agreements, build-transfer agreements, and design-build-sell agreements. Contributes to compliance with applicable laws and regulations and conducts legal research to stay abreast of changes affecting the company and its subsidiaries.
• Manages in-house counsel (if applicable), support staff, and/or outside legal corporate counsel engaged to represent the company when necessary. Provides strategic legal input and guidance on federal and state regulatory strategy and compliance, including developing state-specific regulatory guidance.
• Develops training programs related to company policies for North America employees and proactively recommends improvements to legal department processes to increase efficiency and mitigate legal risks.
• Leads, assists, and supports others in the legal department on an as-needed basis, demonstrating excellence in one or more subject matter areas of the company's business (e.g., project attorney duties, real estate, procurement, EPC contracting, financing, employment, and operating assets).
• Opportunity to lead negotiations, draft, and/or provide critical review of construction contracts, as well as contracts involving the sale or purchase of renewable energy generation and related equipment, and real property documents. Delivers expert legal advice on diverse topics, including corporate and project contracts, legal entity maintenance, project structuring, and litigation risks.
• Other duties as assigned.

In all cases, Senior Counsel is responsible to ensure company compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and standards within scope of responsibility.

Supervision of Others: May manage up to 5 direct reports

Qualifications

Education/Experience –

• Current bar license from one or more North American jurisdictions. Admission to practice law and in good standing to practice law in at least one U.S. state or Canadian province/territory.
• Juris Doctorate from an ABA accredited US law school or Juris Doctorate. LLB from an accredited Canadian law school.
• Typically, 10 years or more of legal experience with the above noted matters in a law firm and/or in-house experience.
• Substantive experience drafting, negotiating and providing critical review of:
• power purchase agreements, financial hedging agreements (including VPPAs), tax credit transfer agreements, interconnection agreements, permits, ISO/RTO tariffs and market rules, O&M and asset management agreements, and related project agreements for solar, wind and battery storage generating assets;
• M&A (eg., PSA, MIPSA, APA, ECCA, etc.) and joint venture operating agreements (eg., LLCAs, SHAs, etc.); and
• project financing and security agreements.
• Experience overseeing outside litigation counsel in litigation and other adversarial proceedings.
• Experience with a renewable energy company and/or renewable energy clients is preferred.

Skills/Knowledge/Abilities –

• Familiarity with consulting services agreements, master services agreements, third party engagement letters, non-disclosure agreements and other routine general contracting arrangements.
• Ability to manage numerous, challenging work assignments simultaneously (with attention to detail) under aggressive deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, by openly communicating, actively listening, challenging ideas and processes, and setting reasonable expectations to achieve the best possible outcome. This includes the ability to effectively advise internal clients and senior management on complex legal matters.
• Excellent commercial drafting and negotiation skills.
• Excellent relationship-building skills, strong interpersonal skills. Team player with the ability to work effectively as part of a team and internal clients to foster creativity and leverage individual strengths. Respectful of colleagues, internal clients, external counsel, suppliers, contractors, and customers.
• Superior decision-making and problem-solving skills and demonstrated ability to exercise sound business judgment.

Physical Requirements:

Must be able to sit or stand at computer for a reasonable length of time typing and reading. Regularly required to walk or stand. 100% of time is spent in the office environment, utilizing computers (frequent use of various Microsoft software/programs), phones, and general office equipment.

Working Conditions:

85% of time is spent in the office environment utilizing computers (frequent use of various Microsoft software/programs), phones, and general office equipment. Travel is expected to visit vendors, home office, or conferences and meetings.

Fiscal Responsibilities:

May contribute to the Legal department’s budget process.