Counsel – Real Estate

Duke Energy; Charlotte (NC); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Duke Energy is seeking an organized, collaborative attorney to join the real estate practice group within the Legal Transactions & Enterprise Growth Support team. The role is hybrid with three days per week onsite at our headquarters in Charlotte, NC, and supports multiple business units in real estate transactions.

The ideal candidate has 2+ years of legal experience, a JD from an accredited school, and real estate drafting experience.

Qualifications

• Experience drafting, reviewing and negotiating real estate documents (deeds, leases, easements, licenses, purchase agreements).
• Ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams and outside counsel.
• Licensed to practice law in North Carolina and South Carolina.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal advice to key business units and project teams, including drafting, reviewing, and negotiating contracts and other documents.
• Consult with senior attorneys on complex issues with regulatory implications for the Company.
• Negotiate easements, leases, licenses, encroachment agreements, and purchase/sale agreements with diverse counterparties.
• Stay current on laws and regulations affecting the Company and communicate findings.

Skills

Real property/real estate experience

Licensed to practice law in NC/SC

Education

Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school

Bachelor's Degree

Job description

More than a career - a chance to make a difference in people's lives. Build an exciting, rewarding career with us – help us make a difference for millions of people every day. Consider joining the Duke Energy team, where you'll find a friendly work environment, opportunities for growth and development, recognition for your work, and competitive pay and benefits. We are looking for an organized, collaborative, results-oriented attorney to join the real estate practice group within the Legal Transactions & Enterprise Growth Support team at Duke Energy Corporation (the 'Company'). The new hire will come on as a Counsel and be responsible for working with the other attorneys and staff in the Office of General Counsel to provide transactional legal services in support of business operations. The position will be hybrid with in-office days at the Company’s headquarters in Charlotte, North Carolina. This position is for an early-career attorney looking to continue their practice in real estate transactions. The work will entail supporting multiple business units within the Company and engaging with outside parties and their counsel.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal advice to key business units and project teams of the Company, including the preparation, review and negotiation of contracts, correspondence, agreements, and other legal documents for the Company.
• Consult with more senior attorneys within the Office of General Counsel on legal issues with significant value, or which may have economic, political, or regulatory implications for the Company.
• Support the Company’s teams in negotiating a significant volume of easements, leases, licenses, encroachment agreements, and purchase and sale agreements with a broad range of counterparties, including instances without outside counsel support and limited supervision and guidance.
• Remain current on legal trends, laws, and regulations and proactively communicate information to other attorneys in the Office of General Counsel.
• Research and monitor federal and state law and regulations that affect or may affect the Company.
• Manage and resolve legal matters and concerns arising out of the day-to-day functions of the Company with limited supervision and guidance.
• Employee will work on non-routine matters requiring a broad and thorough understanding of the Company and its business environment.
• Assist in the further development of the Company’s policies and procedures.
• Provide or assist with providing legal and compliance training to business units within the Company.
• Work with and manage outside counsel to maximize efficiency.
• Comply with processes to protect the Company from unnecessary risks and liabilities, including all reporting requirements.
• Promote a positive corporate image through involvement in Company and civic affairs.
• Lead or serve on committees, special projects, or other assignments as directed to further departmental goals.

Key skills and experience to be successful in this role

• Real property/real estate experience
• Licensed to practice law in North or South Carolina

Basic/Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree
• Doctor of Jurisprudence degree (JD) from an accredited law school
• Minimum of two (2) years of experience practicing law

Desired Qualifications

• Experience drafting, reviewing and negotiating contracts
• Experience in drafting and reviewing real estate documents (deeds, leases, licenses, easements, access and purchase and sale agreements)
• Experience drafting and negotiating complex commercial contracts
• Energy industry experience preferred (natural gas, electric)
• Regulated utility industry experience preferred
• Licensed to practice law in North Carolina and South Carolina
• Technically proficient in multiple areas of the law
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Exceptional judgment, decision-making and problem-solving abilities
• Organizational agility, process management, planning, presentation, and team building skills
• Ability to gain the confidence and respect of management and clients
• Ability to take direction and act accordingly with conviction, in a timely and high-quality manner
• Ability to work with a variety of personalities and desire to be part of a team
• Ability to function effectively and efficiently in a fast-paced and dynamic environment and to prioritize conflicting demands from multiple business clients
• Ability to analyze complex business situations and develop recommendations which meet the Company’s legal and business needs
• Willingness to learn and continuously develop skills and proficiencies in the practice of law
• Technologically proficient and independent
• Other postgraduate business education

Working Conditions

• Periodic travel within the US will be required
• Perform other duties as assigned
• Mobility Classification
• Hybrid mobility classification - work will be performed from both remote and onsite locations (three days per week onsite)
• Hybrid employees should live within a 50-mile radius of the posted reporting location
• Travel Requirements Not required
• Relocation Assistance Provided (as applicable)
• No Represented/Union Position
• No Visa Sponsored Position
• This role requires the ability to work lawfully in the U.S. without employment-based immigration sponsorship, now or in the future

Duke Energy values ideas that come from a diverse and inclusive workforce, and we're dedicated to providing a work environment where all people are valued, respected and able to reach their full potential. Duke Energy is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, including but not limited to lactation, religion, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, citizenship, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, medical condition, military status, or protected veteran status. Duke Energy complies with all applicable state, federal and local laws, regulations and ordinances prohibiting discrimination.