Senior Counsel, Transactions

New Leaf Energy, Inc. • Chicago, IL

22h • $203,432 - $235,085 • Hybrid

About The Position

New Leaf Energy is an experienced clean energy developer that partners with landowners, policymakers, and other stakeholders to accelerate the transition to a world powered by renewable energy. We identify high-value sites, work with landowners and local communities to develop them, and partner with long-term asset owners to bring the most impactful clean energy projects to life.
This is a role for a deal junkie that didn’t think real deal work happened in house.
New Leaf Energy, Inc. is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Senior Counsel, Transactions to support our project development business and soon-to-be formed independent power producer (IPP). This position reports to the Deputy General Counsel.
This position may be filled out of our Boston, MA, Lowell, MA, Chicago, IL, Oakland, CA, and Troy, NY offices. We value in-person collaboration and offer a hybrid work environment. Hybrid employees work in the office at least two out of every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday and are free to work from the office or home on other days.

Requirements

• Law degree and strong academic record from a leading ABA accredited law school.
• At least 6-8 years of substantial, relevant legal experience at a top-tier law firm, sophisticated corporate legal department, or combination of the two.
• A passion for accelerating the adoption of renewable energy.
• Expert knowledge with respect to the legal issues and key deal points in M&A, specifically MIPAs and APAs.
• Extensive experience in independently structuring, drafting and negotiating purchase and sale agreements for renewable energy projects, specifically MIPAs and APAs.
• Ability to independently structure, draft, review and negotiate other project/commercial contracts.
• Ability to translate complex legal concepts into clear, actionable advice for non-lawyers.
• Refined business acumen, exceptional judgment, and the ability to identify and implement practical solutions to complex business and legal problems.
• Hardworking, responsive, and adaptable to what the situation dictates, including possessing the ability to advance matters independently, combined with the strong interpersonal skills necessary to work effectively in a team.
• Ability to independently handle competing deadlines and shift priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Exceptional communication skills.
• Excellent organizational, time management, and project management skills.
• Licensed to practice law or registered as in house counsel in the State where the applicable NLE office is located.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in financing structures and transactions, specifically project finance, construction financing, and tax equity is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Independently counsel and advise M&A team on structuring transactions to acquire and dispose of renewable energy assets.
• Independently draft, review and negotiate membership interest purchase agreements (MIPAs), asset purchase agreements (APAs), and ancillary documents for the acquisition and disposition of renewable energy projects.
• Proactively and independently identify, counsel and advise New Leaf with respect to the risks arising in connection with purchase and sale transactions. Develop and effectively implement plans for mitigating such risks.
• Effectively collaborate with, counsel and advise cross-functional stakeholders (including legal, real estate, project development, M&A, the IPP, interconnection, and policy) on matters relating to purchase and sale transactions and the related financing facilities.
• Proactively and independently identify, design, implement and modify measures to improve the quality and efficiency of New Leaf’s tools and processes relating to due diligence, negotiation, financing, and closing of renewable energy transactions. Draft, update, and maintain template documents and standard operating procedures.
• Independently draft, review and negotiate other commercial agreements, including joint venture agreements, power purchase agreements (PPAs) and other offtake agreements, interconnection agreements, community solar and other subscriber agreements, and operation and maintenance agreements.
• Provide legal support and assist with various other matters relating to the origination, acquisition, sale, financing, ownership, and operation of renewable energy projects.
• Effective cross-team collaboration and coordination of legal workload with colleagues.
• Supervise and optimize work between in house and outside counsel as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits, including medical, dental and vision
• A 401k plan with immediate vesting and a company match (100% of the first three percent of your pay; 50% for the next two percent you contribute)
• An open and self-managed paid time-off policy
• A hybrid work location policy that supports working from home for part of the week
• A parental leave policy for both birthing and non-birthing parents, available immediately upon hire
• Professional development and education assistance.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree