Internal Counsel

Aureus Energy Services (U.S.), Inc; Midland (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k)

Dental insurance

Health insurance

Health savings account

Life insurance

Paid time off

Vision insurance

Work Location: In person

Job summary

Aureus Energy Services (U.S.), Inc. seeks a seasoned in-house attorney to support its water and infrastructure business, drafting and negotiating a wide range of commercial and land-related agreements.

You will collaborate with leaders across Land, Commercial, Corporate Development, and Operations to translate transaction economics into practical provisions and to provide risk-based guidance that advances projects with minimal disruption.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor and active license in good standing; Texas in-house eligibility.
• 5+ years in commercial contracts/transactions; oil & gas, midstream, land preferred.
• Independently draft, review, redline, and negotiate complex commercial agreements.
• Strong commercial judgment; drafting, negotiation and risk analysis skills.
• Manage multiple negotiations across Land, Commercial, Corporate Development, Operations and outside counsel.

Responsibilities

• Draft, review, and negotiate commercial and land-related agreements for water and infrastructure.
• Lead negotiations with counterparties and translate terms into practical provisions.
• Support Land, Commercial, Corporate Development, and Operations teams while managing risk.
• Develop standardized templates, negotiation positions, and contracting workflows.
• Coordinate with outside counsel when specialized support is required.

Skills

Contract drafting

Negotiation

Commercial judgment

Risk assessment

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Juris Doctor (J.D.)

Job description

Draft, review, revise, and negotiate agreements supporting Aureus’ water and infrastructure business, including water sourcing, supply, produced water takeaway, transportation, disposal, recycling, treatment, pipeline, interconnection, capacity, dedication, and related agreements.

Draft, review, and negotiate broader company commercial agreements, including:

• Master Service Agreements (MSAs)
• Work orders and statements of work
• Equipment Purchase Contracts
• Confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements
• Lease Contracts
• Vendor and Supply Contracts
• Amendments, assignments, releases, and termination agreements
• Banking Engagement Agreements
• Other commercial contracts required by the business
• Pricing exhibits, schedules, and attachments

Work directly with business leaders to translate transaction economics and negotiated commercial terms into clear, practical contractual provisions.

Lead negotiations with counterparties or provide support to business leaders, by making practical risk-based recommendations, and drive agreements toward timely execution.

Land & Real Estate Legal Support

Draft, review, negotiate, and interpret easements, rights-of-way, surface use agreements, temporary workspace agreements, facility leases, access agreements, water agreements, and other land-related contracts.

Partner with the Director of Land and land team on legal issues arising from pipeline, facility, disposal well, water infrastructure, and other land acquisition activities.

Advise on contractual rights, obligations, remedies, assignments, term and renewal provisions, operational restrictions, and other material land agreement issues.

Support resolution of landowner disputes, title and ownership issues, and contract interpretation matters, coordinating with outside counsel when specialized support is required.

Provide practical legal support that allows Land, Commercial, and Operations teams to move projects forward while appropriately managing risk.

Cross-Functional Legal & Commercial Support

Support water sourcing and takeaway/disposal transactions from initial term development through negotiation, execution, amendment, and interpretation.

Advise Operations, Finance, and Accounting on contract interpretation, pricing, payment obligations, minimum commitments, indemnity, insurance, and other commercial matters.

Support Operations with MSAs, work orders, construction and service agreements, vendor contracts, and other agreements required to execute company activities.

Serve as an accessible day-to-day legal resource and help distinguish matters that can be resolved internally from issues requiring specialized outside counsel.

Corporate Development & Transaction Support

Support acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures, strategic partnerships, investment banking agreements and other Corporate Development initiatives, including NDAs, LOIs, diligence, transaction documents, and closing support.

Review material contracts and identify assignment, consent, change-of-control, termination, dedication, exclusivity, and other transaction-relevant provisions.

Preparation and negotiation of asset purchase agreements, transition arrangements, commercial side agreements, and related transaction documents.

Select, coordinate, and manage outside legal counsel when specialized expertise or transaction complexity requires external support.

Legal Process & Risk Management

Develop and maintain standardized contract templates, negotiation positions, approval workflows, and contracting procedures.

Identify recurring legal issues and develop practical standards that improve contract quality, consistency, speed, and risk management.

Partner with others on the leadership team and other stakeholders to ensure executed agreements, material obligations, notices, renewals, and key legal documents are appropriately captured and administered.

Help build a practical, scalable internal legal function that supports Aureus’ growth without unnecessary bureaucracy.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school and active license in good standing in at least one U.S. jurisdiction; eligibility to practice as in-house counsel in Texas required.

5+ years of relevant legal experience involving commercial contracts or transactions; oil and gas, midstream, produced water, pipeline, infrastructure, real estate, or land experience strongly preferred.

Demonstrated experience independently drafting, reviewing, redlining, and negotiating complex commercial agreements.

Strong commercial judgment, contract drafting and negotiation skills, and working knowledge of core commercial contract concepts, with the ability to evaluate legal risk in the context of business objectives and operational realities.

Ability to manage multiple negotiations independently and work effectively across Land, Commercial, Corporate Development, Operations, Finance, executive leadership, counterparties, and outside counsel.

Ideal Candidate: The ideal candidate is well versed in creating and reviewing commercial contracts who wants to be embedded in a high growth business, is hungry for responsibility, and can independently own agreements from structuring through execution. They will use practical legal judgment to help Aureus transact efficiently while protecting the company and reducing outside counsel reliance.

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance
• Work Location: In person

Equal Opportunity Employer

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