Join our Growing Team and see why Summit Utilities, Inc was named as one of the Fastest Growing Denver Area Private Companies 2019 and 2020; Best Places to Work in Maine 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023; and Best Places to Work in Arkansas 2020 and 2023, Oklahoma 2022 and 2023 and Missouri 2023. Summit was also recently named one of Forbes 2023 America’s Best Small Employers.
Summit is a growing natural gas utility company providing safe, reliable and clean burning natural gas service to homes and businesses in Arkansas, Colorado, Maine, Missouri and Oklahoma. Being part of the Summit team means embracing excellence, diversity and innovation, committing to safety each and every day, and doing all that we can to serve each other, our customers and the communities where we live. We aim to bring warmth and energy to everything we do.
We are pleased to offer an exciting opportunity for a Corporate Counsel to work in a hybrid capacity from one of our offices in Little Rock, Fort Smith, or Fayetteville, Arkansas.
POSITION SUMMARY
Summit Utilities, Inc.’s Legal Department seeks a Corporate Counsel with strong general corporate skills. This attorney will deliver comprehensive legal counsel and risk analysis for the company’s business operations and initiatives, with a primary focus on transactional matters. The ideal candidate thrives in a fast-paced environment and enjoys handling a wide variety of legal issues daily.
PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
•Provide day-to-day legal counsel to internal stakeholders on general corporate and compliance matters, proactively mitigating risk.
•Offer ongoing legal guidance throughout the contract lifecycle, including drafting, negotiating, and revising contracts.
•Advise on land matters such as easements, permitting, rights-of-way, condemnations, commercial leasing, and land acquisitions.
•Support the development and implementation of contract management strategies.
•Provide legal support for the company’s insurance program, including policy interpretation and risk transfer guidance.
•Review, draft, and advise on corporate policies.
•Collaborate with the legal team and internal stakeholders to identify and implement process improvements.
•Build and maintain cross-functional relationships across the company.
•Acquire and maintain a deep understanding of the company’s business.
•Perform other duties as assigned.
EDUCATION AND WORK EXPERIENCE
•Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school.
•Licensed to practice law and in good standing with at least one state bar.
•Three to eight years of experience in a law firm or corporate legal department.
•Demonstrated experience in contract drafting and negotiation.
•Preferred experience in contract compliance, real estate, contract administration, business continuity/disaster recovery, or utility regulation.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
•Exercise sound judgment and provide business-oriented legal solutions with concise, practical advice and creative problem-solving.
•Ability to influence outcomes and add value through legal expertise.
•Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to interface effectively at all organizational levels and keep stakeholders informed.
•Eagerness to learn the business and expand into new areas of law.
•Ability to quickly build rapport with business personnel and encourage proactive engagement with in-house legal counsel.
•Demonstrated ability to work effectively and cooperatively with cross-functional colleagues in a geographically dispersed organization.
•Proven track record of managing multiple projects, setting priorities, and meeting deadlines.
•Self-starter who quickly grasps new concepts and is willing to develop expertise as needed.
Willingness and ability to travel as necessary and utilize other strategies to ensure effective collaboration and productivity.
Summit offers competitive pay and medical/dental/vision and other benefits that provide flexibility, choice and support to our employees when they need it most. We understand that home and family are essential pieces of your life, and our benefits are designed to support you both at work and at home.
Summit Utilities, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, status as a protected veteran, or status as a qualified individual with disability.