Legal Counsel

TotalEnergies; Houston (TX); In loco; USD 120.000 - 180.000; Tempo pieno

Descrizione del lavoro

TotalEnergies seeks an experienced legal professional to support oil & products trading across the Americas. You will draft and negotiate master trading agreements, storage and logistics contracts, and NDAs, ensuring compliance with governing terms.

The role partners with Credit, Tax, Operations, Shipping, Demurrage teams to align commercial and risk considerations. The ideal candidate holds a JD, 3–5 years of relevant experience in the oil & gas sector, and is fluent in English.

Competenze

• Requires JD with strong knowledge of US oil trading and commercial agreements.
• 3–5 years of in-house or external counsel experience in the oil & gas sector preferred.
• Experience with ISDA documentation is preferred.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder-management skills.
• Fluent in English, both written and verbal.

Mansioni

• Provide timely legal advice to crude oil, refined products, and petrochemical trading businesses across the Americas.
• Draft, review, and negotiate commercial agreements (purchase/sale, master trading, storage/logistics, NDAs).
• Apply General Terms and Conditions to trading transactions.
• Coordinate with Credit, Tax, Operations, Shipping and Demurrage teams on contract reviews.
• Support spot contract drafting, review and amendments.
• Maintain term and storage contracts in contract management systems.
• Identify improvements to templates, retention and knowledge-sharing processes.
• Leverage legal tech to improve efficiency and consistency.

Conoscenze

Trading agreements

Logistics & shipping

ISDA documents

Negotiation skills

English fluency

Formazione

Juris Doctor (JD) degree

Strumenti

CLM systems

AI tools

Descrizione del lavoro

Country United States / US City HOUSTON

Area Texas

Workplace location HOUSTON-LOUISIANA STREET(USA)

Employer company TotalEnergies Gas & Power North America, Inc.

Domain Legal & Compliance

Type of contract Regular position

Experience Minimum 3 years

Context & Environment

This role provides critical legal support to a fast‑paced and evolving business environment, ensuring timely, accurate counsel that advances strategic and commercial goals.

Activities

The jobholder is responsible for providing timely, practical legal advice and support for TotalEnergies Oil & Products trading activities across the Americas.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide legal advice and support to crude oil, refined products, and petrochemical trading businesses.
• Negotiate, draft, and review a wide range of commercial agreements, including:
  • Term purchase and sale agreements
  • Master trading agreements (including ISDA, NAESB, and similar agreements)
  • Storage and logistics agreements
  • Non-disclosure agreements (NDAs)
  • Related ancillary documentation
• Review and ensure the appropriate application of General Terms and Conditions governing trading transactions.
• Coordinate with internal stakeholders, including Credit, Tax, Operations, Shipping, and Demurrage teams, to ensure comprehensive review and input on commercial agreements.
• Provide legal support to the Operations team in the drafting, review, and amendment of spot contracts.
• Maintain and manage term agreements, storage contracts, and related documentation within designated contract management and document retention systems.
• Identify and implement opportunities to improve legal workflows, document templates, record retention practices, and knowledge-sharing processes.
• Leverage legal technology, automation, and AI-enabled tools to enhance efficiency, consistency, and quality of legal services.
• Support the adoption and effective use of approved digital tools and technologies across the legal function.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives that streamline legal processes and support business objectives.

Accountabilities

• Apply sound legal judgment and risk-based decision-making to identify, assess, and mitigate legal risks associated with transactions undertaken by the Oil & Products Trading organization.
• Collaborate and coordinate effectively with cross-functional stakeholders, including Credit, Tax, Operations, Shipping, and Demurrage teams, to facilitate comprehensive contract review and support informed commercial decision-making.
• Drive the continuous improvement of legal processes, templates, playbooks, contract management practices, and knowledge-sharing resources to enhance efficiency, consistency, and risk management.
• Leverage legal technology, automation, and AI-enabled tools to streamline workflows, improve productivity, and support the delivery of high-quality legal services.

Candidate Profile

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school.
• 3 to 5 years of experience as in-house or external legal counsel in the United States, preferably supporting the oil and gas industry.
• Strong knowledge of trading agreements, logistics, shipping, and risk management. Experience with ISDA documentation is preferred.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to perform effectively in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment.
• Fluency in English, both written and verbal.
• Experience with legal technology solutions, contract lifecycle management (CLM) systems, process improvement initiatives, and AI-enabled productivity tools preferred.

About the company

TotalEnergies is a multi-energy company that produces and markets energies on a global scale: oil and biofuels, natural gas and green gases, renewables and electricity. Our 105,000 employees are committed to energy that is ever more affordable, clean, reliable and accessible to as many people as possible. Active in more than 130 countries, TotalEnergies puts sustainable development in all its dimensions at the heart of its projects and operations to contribute to the well-being of people.

bTotalEnergies Trading & Shipping (T&S), an international trading company, puts its expertise to use in the global energy markets. With its biomass blending and trading activity, TotalEnergies T&S is an active participant in the development of sustainable biofuels. Our maritime transport expertise also helps to reduce the carbon footprint of sea transportation and we recently announced the time chartering of new vessels equipped with LNG propulsion.

Our Culture

We are committed to meet the energy needs of a growing population while fulfilling our ambition to be a major player in the energy transition. The volatility of the energy trading markets requires excellence in risk management and a culture of innovation.

Our people flourish in an environment that promotes expertise, entrepreneurship spirit, agility and a purpose-driven culture, generating boundless opportunities to learn, grow and achieve collaborative success while ensuring safety in all our operations.

We look for passion, ambition and open-mindedness. While we evolve in a demanding and ever-changing industry, we cultivate a friendly workplace where team spirit and respect guide our daily routine, and where the diversity of our people and their skills create a nourishing experience for all of us.

Joining TotalEnergies means committing to the energy transition and helping provide energy that is more affordable, more available, and more sustainable for as many people as possible. You will grow within an international multi-energy company where every talent matters. You will contribute to ambitious projects and deliver concrete solutions to today's energy challenges.

Throughout your career, you will benefit from a wide variety of assignments and tailored learning opportunities. You will fully develop your potential in an environment that fosters innovation and excellence. Join committed and collaborative teams where success is built together.

We place respect and employee well-being at the heart of our performance. That is why TotalEnergies values diversity and promotes equal opportunities for all.