Corporate Energy Associate (Multi-Office)

DLA Piper; Minneapolis (MN); Hybrid; USD 225,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

DLA Piper is seeking a junior associate to join its Corporate practice in the United States. The ideal candidate will advise sponsors, developers, investors, and financial institutions on complex energy, infrastructure, and corporate transactions, including M&A, project development and project finance.

Preference for San Diego or New York, but open to all US offices. The role requires 1–3 years of relevant transactional experience, strong drafting skills, and excellent academic credentials

Qualifications

• JD from an accredited law school.
• Admitted to practice in California.
• 1–3 years of corporate, energy, or infrastructure transactional experience.
• Experience with M&A, project development, project finance, and joint ventures is a plus.
• Strong drafting and negotiation skills.

Responsibilities

• Conduct thorough legal research to support transaction strategy.
• Draft memos, contracts and correspondence with precision.
• Assist/Manage complex transactions from inception to closing.
• Maintain strong client relationships with timely updates and professional communication.
• Collaborate with lawyers and business professionals to develop transaction strategies.
• Attend client calls and meetings to support negotiations and due diligence.
• Ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
• Pursue ongoing training to enhance legal knowledge and leadership abilities.
• Engage in firm citizenship and pro bono activities.

Skills

Written communication

Verbal communication

Research

Analytical skills

Attention to detail

Judgment

Organizational skills

Teamwork

Leadership

Education

JD

Job description

DLA Piper is, at its core, bold, exceptional, collaborative and supportive. Our people are the backbone, heart and soul of our firm. Wherever you are in your professional journey, DLA Piper is a place you can engage in meaningful work and grow your career. Let’s see what we can achieve. Together.

Summary

DLA Piper is seeking a junior associate to join its Corporate practice. The ideal candidate will have experience advising sponsors, developers, investors, and financial institutions on complex energy, infrastructure, and corporate transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, project development, project finance, joint ventures, and strategic investments. Experience with renewable energy, energy transition, tax credit transactions, and cross-border matters is preferred. Candidates should have strong drafting and negotiation skills, immediately transferable experience, and excellent academic credentials from nationally recognized law schools. This position is open to all U.S. offices, with a preference for San Diego or New York.

Responsibilities

• Responsibilities as an Associate will vary based on level of experience and specific practice group.
• Legal Research: Conduct thorough and comprehensive legal research and analysis to support transaction preparation and strategy.
• Legal Writing: Draft well-written, error free, and reasoned legal documents, including memos, contracts, and correspondence.
• Transaction Assistance and Management: Assist/Manage a variety of complex transactions from inception to resolution including preparing for trials, negotiations, settlements, closings, and other legal activities while continuously demonstrating strong judgement.
• Internal/External Client Interaction: Build, maintain, and cultivate strong internal and external client relationships by providing support, regular updates, advice, and addressing concerns promptly and with the utmost professionalism.
• Collaboration: Work collaboratively with other lawyers and business professionals to support and develop innovative transaction strategies to achieve the most favorable outcomes for internal and external clients.
• Attend, support, and participate in high-level legal activities including client calls and meetings, negotiations, etc.
• Compliance: Ensure rigorous compliance with legal standards and regulations, staying abreast of changes in law and legal precedents.
• Professional Development: Proactively seek out and participate in ongoing training and development opportunities to enhance your legal knowledge, practice technology, management, and leadership skills.
• Firm Citizenship and Community Involvement: Engage in and contribute to; firm programs and initiatives; civic and professional organizations; pro bono work by providing legal assistance to underserved and underrepresented communities.

Desired Skills

• Excellent written and verbal communication abilities.
• Strong research, analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Attention to detail.
• Good business and professional judgment.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively and independently.
• Conceptual thinking.
• Persuasive communication.
• Management skills.

Minimum Education

• JD
• Degree from an accredited law school.

Certifications

• Admitted to practice in the state of California

Minimum Years Of Experience

• 1-3 years of corporate, energy, or infrastructure transactional experience.
• Familiarity with tax equity financings, transferable tax credits, structured financings, and complex investment arrangements is a plus.
• Experience with M&A, project development, project finance, and joint venture transactions

Essential Job Expectations

While the specific job requirements of a DLA Piper position may vary depending upon scope of the job and area of specialty, there are certain universal requirements that are expected of all DLA Piper employees, which include but are not limited to:

• Effectively communicate, verbally and in writing, with clients, lawyers, business professionals, and third parties;
• Produce deliverables, answer phone calls, and reply to correspondence in an efficient and responsive manner;
• Provide timely, accurate, and quality work product;
• Successfully meet deadlines, expectations, and perform work duties as required;
• Foster positive work relationships;
• Comply with all firm policies and practices;
• Engage in both physical and sedentary activity, such as (a) working at a computer for extended periods of time, including on-screen reading and typing; (b) participating in digital/virtual conference calls; (c) participating in meetings as needed;
• Ability to work under pressure and manage competing demands in a fast-paced environment;
• Perform all other duties, tasks or projects as assigned.

Our employees are expected to embrace and uphold our firm values as a part of our DLA Piper culture. We are committed to excellence in how we represent our clients and develop our people.

Physical Demands

Sedentary work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.

Work Environment

The firm's work location requirements may be modified at the firm's discretion.

• Hybrid - Regular in-office presence with some flexibility for work-from-home

Disclaimer

The purpose of this job description is to provide a concise statement of the work elements and to organize and present the information in a standardized way. It is not intended to describe all the elements of the work that may be performed by every individual in this classification, nor should it serve as the sole criteria for personnel decisions and actions. The job duties, requirements, and expectations for this position may be modified at the Firm’s discretion at any time. This job description does not change the at-will nature of employment.

Pay Transparency

The firm’s expected hiring range for this position is $225,000 - $260,000 per year depending on the candidate’s geographic market location. The compensation offered for employment will also be dependent on other factors including the candidate’s experience, skills, educational and professional background, and overall qualifications. We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including medical/dental/vision insurance, and 401(k).

Applicants who are not based in the jurisdiction in which this position is posted and who apply for this role are doing so voluntarily and are not eligible for relocation assistance. Any relocation benefits, if any, are provided only where a relocation is required at the firm’s direction and in accordance with applicable policy and law.

DLA Piper is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

Reasonable accommodations may be made upon request to permit individuals with a disability to perform the essential functions and responsibilities of the position or to participate in the job selection process. If you have a request for an accommodation during the application process, please contact [e-mail].