Senior Counsel

Summary

The Senior Counsel will serve as the primary in house legal advisor for Mitsui & Co. Energy Marketing and Services (USA), Inc. (“MEMS”), supporting the company’s commodity trading, marketing, and commercial operations across U.S. energy markets. This role is transactional and advisory in nature and does not include litigation representation (which is handled by external counsel).

The Senior Counsel will lead day to day legal support for MEMS trading and commercial desks, independently structure, draft, and negotiate complex energy and commodities agreements, manage external counsel where appropriate, and oversee the MEMS Legal support staff. This position exists to ensure that MEMS’ commercial activities are executed within an appropriate legal and risk framework while enabling the business to operate efficiently and competitively.

- Serve as the primary legal counsel to MEMS commodity trading, marketing, and commercial teams, providing real-time legal support to physical and financial energy transactions

- Structure, draft, review, and negotiate a high volume of complex commercial agreements, including but not limited to master trading agreements, supply agreements, transportation and/or storage agreements, confirmations, credit support documents, and related amendments (e.g., NAESB Base/Special Provisions, ISDA Master/Schedule/CSA, commodity supply/purchase/sale agreements, confirmations, and other ancillary agreements)

- Advise on legal and contractual risk associated with commodity trading activities, including credit risk, collateral structures, netting, close-out, and default provisions

- Partner closely with commercial, risk, credit, and operations teams to ensure transactions are executable, enforceable, and aligned with MEMS’ risk appetite

- Interpret and apply applicable regulatory and compliance requirements impacting energy MEMS marketing and trading activities, escalating issues as appropriate

- Manage and supervise MEMS Legal support staff (i.e., paralegals), including assignment of work, review of deliverables, and development of team capabilities

- Coordinate and manage external counsel on specialized or non-routine matters, including regulatory, compliance and/or dispute-related issues, while retaining ownership of legal strategy and outcomes

- Support internal stakeholders by developing and maintaining standard form agreements, playbooks, and internal guidance tailored to MEMS’ trading activities

Required Education, Experience & Skills

- Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited U.S. law school

- Active license (and in good standing) with the Texas State Bar

- Minimum of 7–10 years of relevant legal experience, with a strong preference for in-house or law firm experience supporting energy, commodities, or complex commercial transactions

- Experience as a legal counsel in a business environment

- Experience advising trading, marketing, or commercial teams in a fast-paced transactional environment

- General working knowledge of corporate law and procedures

- Refined interpersonal verbal and written communication skills, including written, telephonic and electronic communication skills

- Experience using A.I. is preferred

- Ability to work independently with little to no supervision on routine matters

Language Skills

- Fluent verbal and written skills in English

Licences, Certificates, Registrations

- Must be currently licensed to practice law by the State Bar of Texas

Work Environment & Physical Demands

- This job operates in a professional office environment and routinely uses standard office equipment

- May occasionally be asked to work nights/weekends if urgent issues arise

- Eligible for Hybrid Telework Program