Corporate Counsel

Magnolia Oil & Gas; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Magnolia Oil & Gas seeks a senior in‑house counsel to manage upstream land and commercial agreements, including leases, deeds, assignments, and joint operating agreements, in Houston, TX. The successful candidate will advise on regulatory compliance, complex transactions, and disputes related to oil and gas operations, with 8–10+ years of relevant experience and a Texas bar in good standing.

Responsibilities include drafting and negotiating drilling and procurement agreements, mitigating risks,

Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited law school and active Texas bar in good standing.
• 8–10+ years of progressive legal experience in upstream oil & gas.
• Experience representing upstream oil & gas companies or in-house counsel.

Responsibilities

• Negotiate and draft upstream land and commercial agreements (leases, deeds, assignments, surface agreements, rights-of-way, JOAs, farmouts, confidentiality, and purchase/sale agreements).
• Advise on legal and contractual risks for onshore operations to ensure compliance.
• Manage complex transactions involving analysis of laws and regulations with factual context.
• Draft, negotiate, interpret and advise on drilling and procurement agreements supporting exploration, production, and operations.

Skills

Oil & gas law

Contract negotiation

Litigation management

In-house counsel

Education

Juris Doctor (J.D.)

Job description

This position will primarily assist with operational oil and gas exploration, production, and midstream matters, including managing litigation, general contract review, and acquisition and divestiture transactions.

Responsibilities

• Negotiate and draft a variety of upstream land and commercial agreements, including oil and gas leases, deeds, assignments, surface agreements, rights-of-way, joint operating agreements, lease exchange agreements, farmout agreements, confidentiality agreements, and purchase and sale agreements.
• Advise company personnel and management of legal and contractual risks associated with proposed onshore operations and activities to ensure company compliance with its legal and contractual obligations.
• Participate in the management of the legal aspects of complex business transactions, negotiations and operational matters that involve analysis and interpretation of law and regulations as applied to specific facts.
• Draft, negotiate, interpret and advise clients on a variety of drilling and procurement agreements in support of exploration, production, and operations activities.
• Advise on other commercial matters, including marketing/midstream contract interpretations.
• Advise on a wide range of oil and gas-related disputes and litigation, including contractor disputes, landowner disputes, royalty owner disputes, contractor injuries, and property damage.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school required.
• Active license to practice law in the State of Texas and in good standing required.
• 8–10+ years of progressive legal experience with a law firm representing upstream oil and gas companies and/or as in‑house counsel for an upstream oil and gas company, with proficiency in oil and gas operational legal matters, operated oil and gas litigation‑related claims, and oil and gas land and commercial contracts.

At Magnolia, our employees drive our strategy and our success.

As a team, we engage, energize, and inspire each other to deliver top performance. We offer an exciting, results‑focused workplace, highly competitive compensation and benefits, and a range of opportunities for career growth. Help us build a winning company that safeguards workers and the environment, enhances careers, strengthens local communities, and increases value for all stakeholders.

Magnolia Oil & Gas is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer:

Employment decisions are based on business need, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy), age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations which we operate. Magnolia Oil & Gas will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at [e-mail].

Notice To Third Party Agencies

Please note that Magnolia Oil & Gas does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or employment agencies. Without a signed recruitment services agreement, Magnolia Oil & Gas won’t consider or agree to payment of any referral compensation or recruiter fee. If a recruiter or agency submits a resume or candidate without a previously signed agreement, Magnolia Oil & Gas explicitly reserves the right to pursue and hire those candidates without any financial obligation to the recruiter or agency. Any unsolicited resumes, including those submitted to hiring managers, are deemed to be the property of Magnolia Oil & Gas.