Counsel

Delta Utilities Services; New Orleans (LA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Delta Utilities is seeking an experienced Counsel to support its Legal Department in New Orleans. The role focuses on drafting, reviewing, and negotiating commercial agreements, along with handling real estate-related transactions and regulatory compliance.

Under Senior Counsel, you will provide practical guidance to internal teams, manage outside counsel interactions, and help ensure governance, policy development, and cost-effective legal spending.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated transactional experience, including contract drafting and negotiation.
• Some real estate experience, including familiarity with leases, property acquisitions, or related agreements.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and work independently with minimal supervision.

Responsibilities

• Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of commercial agreements, including service agreements, master service agreements, vendor contracts, confidentiality agreements, and other transactional documents.
• Support real estate matters, including purchase and sale agreements, leases, easements, rights-of-way, and related due diligence.
• Provide legal guidance to internal business teams on contractual rights, obligations, and risk mitigation.
• Assist with corporate governance matters, compliance initiatives, and internal policies as needed.
• Coordinate with outside counsel when appropriate and manage related legal spending.
• Identify legal risks and propose practical solutions aligned with business objectives.
• Handle multiple projects simultaneously while meeting deadlines and maintaining accuracy. Other duties as assigned.

Education

Juris Doctor (J.D.)

Job description

JOB SUMMARY/PURPOSE

Counsel supports the Legal Department by providing transactional support for a wide range of company activities, including commercial agreements, infrastructure development, and real estate matters such as easements, rights-of-way, and property transactions associated with utility operations. Working under the direction of Senior Counsel, this role assists internal business teams by reviewing contracts, identifying legal risks, and providing practical guidance that supports operational and regulatory compliance.

This role also supports corporate governance, policy development, and coordination with outside counsel while helping ensure the company’s legal activities align with applicable laws, regulatory requirements, and Delta Utilities’ business objectives.

JOB DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

• Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of commercial agreements, including service agreements, master service agreements, vendor contracts, confidentiality agreements, and other transactional documents.
• Support real estate matters, including purchase and sale agreements, leases, easements, rights-of-way, and related due diligence.
• Provide legal guidance to internal business teams on contractual rights, obligations, and risk mitigation.
• Assist with corporate governance matters, compliance initiatives, and internal policies as needed.
• Coordinate with outside counsel when appropriate and manage related legal spending.
• Identify legal risks and propose practical solutions aligned with business objectives.
• Handle multiple projects simultaneously while meeting deadlines and maintaining accuracy. Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Minimum education required of the position

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school.

Minimum experience required of the position

• Minimum of four (4) years of relevant legal experience, preferably in a law firm or in-house environment.

Minimum knowledge, skills and abilities preferred of the position

• Demonstrated transactional experience, including contract drafting and negotiation.
• Some real estate experience, including familiarity with leases, property acquisitions, or related agreements.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and work independently with minimal supervision.
• Preferred Attributes:
  • Practical, business-minded approach to legal problem-solving.
  • Strong attention to detail and commitment to producing high-quality work.
  • Collaborative mindset with the ability to build relationships across departments.
  • Proactive and adaptable in a dynamic business environment.

Any certificates, licenses, etc. required for the position

• Active license and good standing in at least one U.S. jurisdiction (Louisiana licensure preferred, if applicable).

Physical Requirements

• Able to operate personal computer, either desktop or laptop.
• Able to sit for extended periods of time.
• Able to operate copy machine, fax machine, calculator, telephone and other miscellaneous office equipment.
• Able to exert up to 10 lbs. of force occasionally, and/or a minimal amount of force frequently to lift, carry, push or otherwise move objects.

Working Conditions

• Perform other job-related duties as assigned, within your scope of responsibilities.
• Job duties are performed in a normal and clean office environment with normal noise levels.
• Work is predominately done while standing or sitting.
• The ability to comprehend, document, calculate, visualize and analyze are required.
• Able to work regular hours, with occasional overtime.

About Delta Utilities

Delta Utilities is a natural gas utility headquartered in New Orleans that provides safe, reliable natural gas services across Louisiana and Mississippi. We understand the value of dependable energy and our important role in building stronger, more resilient communities. Delta Utilities is a $1.7 billion organization that represents 600,000 customers and is among the top 40 natural gas utilities in the United States.

Delta Utilities acquired CenterPoint Energy's natural gas utility operations in Louisiana and Mississippi in April 2025 and acquired Entergy's natural gas utilities in Baton Rouge and New Orleans in July 2025.

Delta Utilities is regulated by the Louisiana Public Service Commission, the Mississippi Public Service Commission, and the New Orleans City Council. We work closely with our regulatory agencies to deliver safe and reliable natural gas service and maintain fair rates for our customers.

Learn more at https://deltautilities.com.

Delta Utilities and associated entities are equal-opportunity employers. We do not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment on any legally recognized basis or any protected class under federal, state, or local law.