Senior Counsel

NextGenEnergyJobs; San Diego (CA); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

NextGenEnergyJobs is seeking a Senior Counsel for Procurement, focusing on utility-scale wind, solar, and battery projects. This hybrid position offers the opportunity to provide legal counsel to management and project teams, handle high-stake negotiations, and draft essential agreements.

The ideal candidate holds a JD and has at least 7 years of experience, demonstrating expertise in construction law and project management. This role is based in San Diego, CA, within a dynamic environment that values innovative legal solutions.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 7 years of relevant experience at a major law firm or sophisticated in-house legal department.
• Significant experience with utility-scale wind, solar, and/or battery projects.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal counsel and advice on procurement and operations.
• Draft and negotiate EPC, O&M, and turbine supply agreements.
• Represent the company in major transactions and negotiations.

Skills

Legal counsel expertise

Negotiation skills

Project management skills

Construction law knowledge

Communication skills

Education

JD from a prominent law school

License to practice law

Job description

The pay rate for the successful candidate will depend on geographic location, skills, relevant and demonstrated experience, education, training and certifications, and other factors permitted by law.

Key Responsibilities

• The Senior Counsel for Procurement, EPC, and O&M will provide advice and counsel to management and project teams as Clearway positions itself to capture emerging opportunities in the Utility-Scale Wind, Solar, and Battery Energy Storage segments of the energy industry. This hybrid position reports to the Assistant General Counsel. It will be located at one of our office locations in San Diego, CA; Scottsdale, AZ; Houston, TX; Denver, CO; or San Francisco, CA.
• Provide legal counsel and advice to clients on matters relating to engineering, procurement, construction, operations, and maintenance, including financed projects.
• Represent the company in major transactions and negotiations.
• Draft and negotiate EPC Agreements, O&M Agreements, Turbine Supply Agreements, Module Supply Agreements, etc.
• Provide counsel on legal issues identified by asset management, O&M, EPC, and procurement teams in connection with operating projects.
• Supervise outside counsel as necessary.
• Assist other attorneys or the General Counsel on additional projects as necessary.
• Work closely with internal stakeholders, including development and project finance counsel, to facilitate continuous improvements to contracting processes and tools.

Requirements

• JD and a strong academic record from a prominent law school.
• License to practice law.
• A minimum of 7 years of relevant experience at a major law firm or with a sophisticated in-house legal department; many candidates may have substantially more experience.
• Significant experience advising clients with respect to construction, procurement, and operation and maintenance matters, ideally involving utility-scale wind, solar, and/or battery projects.
• Business acumen and excellent commercial judgment.
• Ability to work independently and as a team member, ability to set priorities, and to respond to changing demands from multiple sources.
• Communication skills (verbal and written) to include the ability to work independently, project management skills, ability to negotiate, ability to provide a high level of client service, and build consensus.
• Ability to interface effectively with all levels of the organization.
• Experience in renewable energy and a demonstrated aptitude to understand complex and new technologies, systems, innovations, and business concepts, as well as market opportunities and challenges.
• Demonstrated ability to obtain and review complex information and clearly articulate conclusions and associated recommendations.
• Ability to and preference for working in a fast-paced, leanly staffed, entrepreneurial environment.
• Solution-oriented, “get-to-yes” problem-solver with a proven ability to think creatively about responsibly managing risk in a dynamic environment.
• Ability to take the lead on any responsibilities within the job description.
• Previous wind, solar, or battery system experience.
• Clearway will not sponsor non-immigrant visas for this position (H-1B, TN, E-3, etc.).