Counsel / Sr. Counsel

Primary purpose:

Provide legal support for all real estate, land rights, and right-of-way acquisition matters for pipeline and other linear infrastructure projects.

Essential duties and responsibilities:

- Advise on acquisition, protection, and management of real property interests, including easements, fee parcels, leases, licenses, and other property interests.

- Draft, review, and negotiate land rights documents such as easements, purchase agreements, crossing agreements, temporary workspace agreements, and title curative instruments.

- Review title commitments, surveys, ownership records, and encumbrances, including resolving any title and boundary issues affecting project development.

- Support land use approvals at federal, state, and local levels, including zoning, environmental clearances, and utility permits.

- Provide real-time legal guidance on various land acquisition matters.

- Represent the company in real estate-related litigation.

- Assist with preparation of filings, notices, affidavits, applications, and other documentation for real estate transactions or land use permitting.

- Coordinate and manage outside counsel for real estate matters.

- Serve as an internal legal resource across company departments for real estate, land use permitting, and right-of-way matters.

- Experience with fiber lines is a plus but not required.

- Other daily, weekly, monthly or special project duties as identified and defined.

Minimum requirements:

Education:

Juris Doctor from an accredited institution.

Experience/Specific Knowledge:

- Five (5) to seven (7) years of relevant legal experience related to right-of-way and property acquisition for pipeline and other linear infrastructure projects.

- Experience working at a highly regulated energy pipeline or other midstream energy business.

- Experience supporting linear energy infrastructure businesses.

Intermediate proficiency level in MS Office applications that may include but are not limited to Excel, Word, Access, PowerPoint and Outlook.

Certifications, Licenses & Registrations:

- Must be licensed to practice law in the relevant jurisdiction in which candidate will be located.

Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license and a driving record satisfactory to the Company and its insurers (for travel).

Competencies, Skills & Abilities:

- Able to work independently and quickly, self-starter, successfully perform multiple tasks and balance competing demanding deadlines.

- Excellent verbal and written communication skills and ability to listen carefully.

- Strong analytical skills and logical thought processes.

- Ability to write clearly and effectively.

- Proficiency with relevant legal research tools, including but not limited to Lexis and Westlaw.

- Able to work with a team, take direction from management, adhere to required work schedules, focus attention on details, and follow work rules.

- Ability to organize and prioritize daily work.

- Ability to successfully perform multiple tasks with strict deadlines.

- Ability to maintain strict confidentiality.

- Must be able to perform all essential and marginal functions of the job.

- Deal with a wide variety of people with tact, courtesy and professionalism.

- Maintain regular, dependable attendance and a consistently high level of performance.

- Work non-traditional hours as needed.

Job level commensurate with experience and skill sets; position will be filled depending on qualifications, experience and skill sets of the successful candidate.

Physical Demands:

All of the physical requirements listed below are those that may be necessary for an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

- Minimal safety hazards; general office working conditions.

- Must be able to sit for prolonged periods of time.

The employee is regularly required to use hands to type, touch, handle, or feel. The employee is required to talk and hear. The employee is frequently required to stand and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to walk and climb or balance. The employee must regularly lift and /or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

Working Conditions:

- Occasional overnight travel may be required.

- Required to carry a cell phone and be available to respond during working and non-working hours.

The successful candidate will be required to clear a drug screen and a complete background check, including credit report for certain positions, after an offer has been extended and prior to being employed.

Supervisory Responsibility:

None.

PREFERRED EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, CERTIFICATIONS, COMPETENCIES, SKILLS, & ABILITIES:

Above the minimum requirements; not required but advantageous in this position:

- Top 25% of graduating class preferred.

Compensation 150,000-200,000