Senior Counsel - Real Estate [Remote]

EDF Renewables; Bay City (TX); Remote; USD 151,000 - 253,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading renewable energy firm is seeking a Senior Legal Counsel - Real Estate to oversee real estate due diligence and legal aspects of project development. Applicants must have a Juris Doctor degree, preferably be admitted in Texas or California, and possess over 10 years of real estate legal experience, ideally in the renewable energy sector. This role involves drafting agreements, advising on legal matters, and managing multiple assignments effectively.

Benefits

Competitive bonus incentives

Comprehensive health coverage

Rewarding 401k

Paid time off programs

Learning and career development opportunities

Qualifications

• Active admission to one or more U.S. state bars, preferably Texas or California.
• At least 10 years of dedicated real estate legal experience.
• Prior experience in the renewable energy sector is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Manage legal aspects of project development and real estate due diligence.
• Draft, negotiate, and review real estate agreements.
• Advise on legal matters related to project development.
• Review and negotiate commercial lease agreements.
• Prepare essential legal documents.
• Support dispute resolution and manage external legal counsel.

Skills

Exceptional commercial drafting and negotiation skills

Proven ability to conduct comprehensive real estate due diligence

Adept at managing multiple assignments

Outstanding interpersonal skills

Superior oral and written communication skills

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Job description

Overview

Scope of Position

About Us:

EDF power solutions North America has been providing clean energy solutions throughout the U.S., Canada, and Mexico since 1987. We are a market-leading independent power producer and service provider, serving utilities, corporations, industries, communities, institutions, and investors with reliable, low-carbon energy solutions that help meet growing demand.

From developing and building scalable wind (onshore and offshore), solar, storage (battery and pumped storage hydro), smart EV charging, microgrids, green hydrogen, and transmission projects, to maximizing performance and profitability through skilled operations and maintenance and innovative asset optimization, our teams deliver expert solutions along the entire value chain—from origination to commercial operation.

Be a part of an innovative and collaborative team environment that fosters our goal of delivering renewable solutions to lead the transition to a sustainable energy future.

Benefits & Perks:

EDF power solutions offers best-in-class employee benefits, including the following:

• Competitive bonus incentives. This position is eligible for our annual bonus program.
• Comprehensive health coverage. EDF power solutions USA provides low-cost health & wellness coverage for employees and their eligible dependents.
• Rewarding 401k. EDF power solutions provides a generous matching contribution.

We are also proud to offer:

• Favorable paid time off programs, including paid parental leave after one year of service.
• Rewarding learning & career development and advancement opportunities.
• Supportive mentorship & buddy programs.

Salary Range: The full pay range for this role is $151,800 - $253,000 annually. We generally base our salary decisions on factors such as internal equity, candidate work and/leadership experience, educational credentials, and in some cases, candidate work location.

Scope of Job:

Join us as a Senior Legal Counsel - Real Estate and be instrumental in shaping the future of renewable energy. This role is central to our growth, overseeing the comprehensive real estate due diligence for significant project acquisitions and dispositions, and ensuring seamless preparation for project financing. You'll be a trusted advisor to our business units on all land acquisition and divestiture efforts. Your expertise will be vital in skillfully negotiating, drafting, and critically reviewing complex land control agreements (such as leases, easements, purchase agreements, and options) and managing title curative documents for our expanding portfolio of solar and wind power generating assets

Responsibilities

• Managing the legal aspects of project development, primarily focusing on land leases, and overseeing real estate due diligence for acquisitions, dispositions, financing, and M&A transactions.
• Drafting, negotiating, and critically reviewing a wide range of real estate and project-related agreements, such as land control agreements, easements, purchase agreements, options, asset and membership purchase agreements, and title curative documents like crossing agreements and surface waivers, specifically for solar and wind power generating assets.
• Advising on legal matters pertaining to project development, operations and maintenance, and asset optimization.
• Reviewing and negotiating commercial lease agreements to support the company's infrastructure needs.
• Preparing essential legal documents, including consulting services agreements, master services agreements, and confidentiality/non-disclosure agreements.
• Supporting dispute resolution and litigation matters, and managing external legal counsel.
• Maintaining and adapting corporate policies and procedures to align with diverse jurisdictional requirements.
• Providing ad-hoc assistance and support to other members of the legal department as needed.

Supervision

None.

Working Conditions

This role is primarily office-based (80%), involving frequent use of computers (Microsoft software), phones, and general office equipment. The remaining 20% involves travel to regional offices and attendance at conferences and meetings.

Fiscal Responsibilities

None.

Qualifications

Education: A Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school.

• Bar Admission: Active admission to one or more U.S. state bars, with a strong preference for Texas or California.
• Experience: At least 10 years of dedicated real estate legal experience gained within a reputable law firm or an in-house legal department. Prior experience in the dynamic renewable energy sector is a definite plus.
• Core Competencies:

• Exceptional commercial drafting and negotiation skills.
• Proven ability to conduct comprehensive real estate due diligence for project acquisitions, including expert review of leases, title reports, environmental assessments, and surveys.
• A versatile approach, with the flexibility and eagerness to tackle a diverse range of legal challenges.
• Genuine curiosity and a strong desire to deepen your understanding of the renewable energy business.
• Adept at managing multiple assignments simultaneously, thriving under pressure, and skillfully prioritizing tasks to meet demanding deadlines.
• Outstanding interpersonal skills, a knack for mentorship, and a collaborative spirit that fosters effective teamwork.
• Self-motivated, intellectually inquisitive, and passionate about your work.

• Travel: Some domestic and international travel may be required.
• Communication: Superior oral and written communication skills.
• Knowledge Base: Deep understanding of real estate, title, survey, leasing, and mergers and acquisitions as they pertain to real estate transactions.