Associate General Counsel

Job Title

Distributed Sun Group Attorney (AGC)

About Us

Distributed Sun (DSUN) is a clean energy infrastructure provider founded in 2009 that develops, finances, owns, and operates solar and battery storage projects across the community solar, commercial & industrial and utility-scale markets. It has developed and delivered systems – many the first-of-their-kind – in 17 states. It is in our DNA to be nimble, constructively challenging, forward thinking, and creative; we value those attributes in our team members – it's how we've led and thrived over the last 15 years. You'll join a team committed to accelerating the clean energy transition through smart infrastructure and bold thinking.

truCurrent, a DSUN on-site distributed energy resources company provides end-to-end energy transition services for Fortune 500 companies and other enterprises. truCurrent integrates microgrid infrastructure aligned to regulatory and capital markets to deliver energy solutions at the grid edge. Trusted partners rely upon our energy transition roadmap services combined with development and financing solutions to meet or exceed their energy goals: economic, environmental and operational. We deploy infrastructure that provides resilient and reliable electricity, reduces fleet total cost of ownership (TCO), and optimizes energy consumption to meet business objectives.

Responsibilities

The AGC will play a crucial role in supporting the Distributed Sun group's growth objectives in the Battery Energy Storage Solution (BESS), Solar, EV Infrastructure, and microgrid sectors.

The person filling this role will make negotiating rock-solid energy contracts look easy. They can do supplier and vendor contracting in their sleep. They will have spent considerable time with equity, debt and finance contracting, and will spar as equals with the external legal teams they will bring in and manage to undertake the creation of the bespoke financial contracting suites needed. Finally, they will be willing to roll their sleeves up with corporate legal issues, providing solid advice on HR, insurance, compliance and corporate governance, as well as setting our legal function up for success.

The AGC will manage risk through a deeply commercial and strategic lens, ensuring that our legal approach follows best practice, and aligns with capital markets' expectations. They will partner with executive leadership to implement a corporate structure that best positions us for sustainable long-term expansion. They will ensure compliance with all applicable laws, lead legal initiatives related to tax equity financing, mergers & acquisitions (M&A), transaction closing, and energy off-take agreements.

What is our AGC responsible for?

• Negotiation & Contract Management: Lead negotiations with customers, vendors, and other parties to secure favorable terms and conditions for DSUN's business agreements. Manage contract lifecycle from negotiation to execution, ensuring compliance with legal standards and mitigating risks.
• Offtake Agreements: Draft, review, and negotiate off-take agreements, including power purchase agreements (PPAs), tolling agreements, energy supply agreements, and other contractual arrangements related to the sale and delivery of energy generated by our assets.
• Financing Agreements, including Tax Equity: Provide legal support and guidance for financing agreements including debt and tax equity financing transactions related to our energy projects. This includes structuring, negotiating, and closing investments, partnership agreements, and other arrangements such as loans and security contracts with investors and tax equity partners.
• M&A: Lead legal due diligence, negotiation, and documentation including MIPAs for M&A transactions strategic partnerships, and joint ventures. Ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements and safeguard DSUN's interests throughout the transaction.
• Transaction Closing: Oversee transaction closing processes for energy projects, including drafting and reviewing transaction documents, coordinating with internal and external stakeholders, and ensuring timely completion of all closing requirements.
• Corporate issues: provide strategic advice to executives in support of efficient and effective corporate structure. Perform entity formation for the companies created to hold the energy assets developed by the team, maintaining required documentation for commercial and corporate governance purposes, acting as Company Secretary. Assist with personnel-related legal matters as they arise, and any other internal business legal issues.
• Legal Compliance: Stay abreast of legal and regulatory developments impacting the renewable energy industry, including tax laws, energy regulations, and environmental policies. Provide guidance and counsel to internal teams on compliance matters and risk management strategies.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Build and maintain strong relationships with internal stakeholders, external partners, investors, and regulatory authorities. Serve as a trusted advisor to senior management on legal matters and strategic initiatives.

• Team Leadership & Development: build an appropriate legal team. Foster a culture of excellence, collaboration, and continuous learning. Develop talent and capabilities to support long-term growth and success for the talent and for DSUN.

Requirements

• Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school and active membership in good standing with the bar association.
• Minimum of 8-10 years of experience practicing law, with a focus on corporate transactions, tax equity financing, and renewable energy projects preferred.
• Strong understanding of tax equity structures, M&A transactions, and contractual agreements, particularly in the renewable energy sector. Experience with real estate agreements welcomed, alongside ability to parse legal risks associated with sites and property transactions
• Experience managing outside counsel: the Associate GC must effectively allocate legal issues to external counsel where additional resource or expertise is required ensure that DSUN receives cost efficient as well as top-quality legal advice.
• Excellent negotiation, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex legal matters, drive strategic initiatives, and provide practical solutions to business challenges.
• Leadership capabilities with a track record of building and leading high-performing legal teams in a dynamic and fast-paced environment.

Location

• Willingness to work flexibly, Tues/Weds in our Washington, DC HQ, Mon/Thurs/Fri from home is preferred, or remote. Please note that our team operates on Eastern Time hours.

Benefits

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience
• Bonus compensation plan
• Unit option award
• 401(k) plan with company match
• Health, dental, and vision benefits plan

DSUN is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity. Employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications, merit and business needs. We encourage all qualified candidates to apply.