Internal Counsel

Aureus; Midland (TX); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; 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, based in Texas, seeks an in-house counsel to manage commercial contracts and land-related agreements supporting its water and infrastructure business. You will draft, review, negotiate MSAs, work orders, and leases, and provide practical risk-based recommendations to leadership.

You will oversee multi-party negotiations, advise Operations and Finance on pricing and obligations, and coordinate with outside counsel when specialized support is needed.

Qualifications

• 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.
• Experience drafting, reviewing, redlining, and negotiating complex commercial agreements.

Responsibilities

• Draft, review, revise, and negotiate agreements supporting Aureus’ water and infrastructure business.
• Negotiate MSAs, work orders, purchase contracts, NDAs, leases, vendor and supply contracts.
• Translate transaction economics into clear contractual provisions and manage risk.
• Lead negotiations with counterparties or provide support to drive timely execution.
• Support land-related contracts including easements, rights-of-way and leases.
• Coordinate with Operations, Finance, and senior leadership on contract matters.

Skills

Contract drafting

Negotiation

Commercial judgment

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

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

Job description

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Commercial Agreements & Negotiation

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.

Benefits:

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