Associate Attorney

Mercer Thompson LLC; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discretionary bonus

Medical/dental benefits

401(k)

Job summary

Mercer Thompson LLC is an energy industry law firm hiring a Mid-Level or Senior Associate to support growing client demands in Atlanta. The role involves negotiating and drafting major energy project agreements, and working with partners and clients on complex transactions for national and international clients.

A strong litigation-like drafting skill set and a collaborative, energetic culture are valued traits.

Qualifications

• J.D. from ABA-accredited law school and bar admission in GA or NY.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in an AMLAW100 firm or large corporate law environment.
• Experience in energy and infrastructure sectors.
• Strong project development background with related documents (PPA, MA, JDA, etc.).
• Commitment to teamwork, camaraderie, and a high-energy culture.
• Excellent drafting, and strong oral and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Draft, negotiate, and close energy project agreements (PPA, Asset Purchase, Joint Development, etc.).
• Support multiple major national and international clients in project development work.
• Coordinate with partners and clients to manage complex transactions in a fast-paced environment.

Skills

Legal drafting

Communication

Teamwork

Work ethic

Multi-tasking

Entrepreneurial mindset

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Job description

Mercer Thompson LLC is a boutique energy industry law firm, founded by former “Big Law” partners, with offices in Atlanta and New York City. Our nationally-recognized attorneys specialize in representing sophisticated companies in the energy industry in connection with their most complex transactions, with a particular focus on energy project development, finance and M&A. Core to our firm culture is a commitment to teamwork, camaraderie, and maintaining an atmosphere of positive energy. Within that culture, we dedicate ourselves to practicing law at the highest levels of quality and responsiveness for the benefit of our clients.

The firm is currently recruiting to hire a Mid-Level or Senior Associate Attorney to join our team in support of growing client demands. For the right candidate, this will be an excellent opportunity for personal and professional growth in a firm that combines the best of both worlds: “Big Law” transactional experience with a small firm’s close-knit culture, practice flexibility and strong commitment to core values.

Key Job Responsibilities:

This in-office position is based in Atlanta, where the attorney will benefit from the personal connectivity that can only be gained from being present in the office with colleagues. This attorney’s initial, primary role will be serving as part of a team supporting several major national and international clients in their energy project development work. The attorney would work with our partners (and, as appropriate, directly with clients) to negotiate, draft, and close agreements such as:

• Equipment Purchase and Sale Agreements (including Master Agreements);
• Construction and Construction Management Agreements;
• O&M Agreements and Long Term Service Agreements;
• Power Purchase Agreements;
• Joint Venture, Joint Development and LLC Agreements; and
• Build Transfer Agreements, Asset Purchase Agreements and Stock Purchase Agreements.

Our clients include developers of energy projects, as well as suppliers, contractors and manufacturers in the energy industry. Owner clients range from early-stage developers to regional electric cooperatives and municipalities, and from large, publicly-traded utilities to global infrastructure funds. Their projects typically include the development, re-powering, operation/maintenance and/or purchase/sale of gas-fired power projects, utility scale solar projects, wind projects, and battery energy storage system projects, along with long-range transmission facilities.

Skills and Experience Requirements:

• A stellar academic record, with a JD degree from an ABA-accredited law school, with a license to practice law in Georgia or New York
• At least 3 years of experience in an AMLAW100 firm or a large corporate law environment
• Prior experience in the energy and infrastructure sectors
• A strong project development law background, with specific experience handling the documents described above
• A mental outlook and attitude that welcomes commitment to teamwork, camaraderie, and maintaining an atmosphere of positive energy
• Excellent legal drafting skills with a strong attention to detail
• Strong oral and written communication and professional interpersonal skills to successfully interact with colleagues and clients
• A driven and dedicated “go getter” work ethic (late-night work is not uncommon; weekend work is occasional depending on deal-flow)
• The judgment to plan and accomplish goals encompassing multiple priorities and deliverables while seeking guidance as appropriate
• The ability to handle a mixed and diverse workload in a fast-paced work environment
• Comfort with an entrepreneurial work environment
• The personal drive to practice law at the highest levels of quality and responsiveness

Mercer Thompson’s clients demand highly responsive and excellent quality legal services, and this is what we strive to provide for them. Our clients’ transactions are extremely complex and often involve billions of dollars. Their transactions are often conducted at an accelerated “around-the-clock” pace, and require interaction with company senior executives. Our team has the skillsets, work ethic and can-do attitude that it takes to help our clients negotiate and close these transactions. We compete with and work with the largest law firms in the country by focusing on building strong, trust-based personal client relationships, and providing exceptional legal services that are of superior value.

For the right candidate, success in this position could lead to an opportunity to become a partner in the firm, if that is the candidate’s goal.

Salary will be competitive, with the exact amount to depend on the candidate’s level of experience.

• In addition to base compensation, attorneys are eligible for an annual discretionary bonus and several benefit offerings that include family and medical leave, competitive medical, dental, and long-term disability coverage, along with 401K.
• We also allow up to (and encourage at least) 50 hours of billable credit for pro bono legal work each year.