Assistant General Counsel (Chicago)

Position Overview

Assistant General Counsel – Legal / Compliance, full time, permanent, start ASAP. Location: Chicago or Austin with occasional travel to other field locations. Salary: $190,000 - $225,000 per year (US, IL). Pay range applies to new hires across all US locations.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal advice on real estate, permitting, and land‑use matters for energy project development, construction, and operation.
• Draft, review, and negotiate lease agreements, easements, purchase options, co‑tenancy agreements, shared facilities agreements, and crossing agreements.
• Review title commitments and surveys, resolve title and survey issues, and negotiate title insurance policies.
• Identify permitting and land‑use needs, ensuring timely acquisition of all required permits and approvals across multiple jurisdictions.
• Coordinate with business stakeholders and government agencies on permitting, land‑use, and zoning topics.
• Provide legal support on transactions (acquisition, divestiture, other strategic transactions) from inception through closing, including review of transaction documents and disclosure schedules.
• Manage and oversee external counsel for real‑estate and permitting to ensure cost‑effective, timely support.
• Align with senior business stakeholders on project timelines, legal risks, and contract milestones to ensure timely delivery.
• Manage legal due diligence, identify legal risks and liabilities, and provide practical recommendations to mitigate risks.
• Contribute to internal process improvements, templates, and best practices.
• Supervise and mentor junior counsel, paralegals, real‑estate specialists, and administrative staff.
• Integrate legal risk assessment into overall project lifecycle, considering interconnection, energy marketing, environmental, regulatory, and procurement factors.

Requirements and Experience

• J.D. (Juris Doctor) from a U.S. university.
• Admission to a state bar in the United States.
• Minimum 6 years of experience in energy project development or related real‑estate matters.
• Specific legal knowledge in energy project development and real‑estate matters, preferably including energy transmission, interconnection agreements, tax abatement agreements, conditional use permits, and special use permits.
• Industry experience with U.S. energy‑related businesses, especially legal work on energy and/or independent power projects.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship‑management skills with internal teams, external counsel, title companies, surveyors, utilities, and counterparties.
• Highly organized, able to coordinate multiple projects, manage competing priorities, and meet critical real‑estate and permitting milestones.
• Adaptable and effective in rapidly changing environments.
• Goal‑oriented, resourceful, with strong problem‑solving skills and the ability to identify practical solutions to complex challenges.
• Proven ability to empathize, build relationships, and communicate with diverse backgrounds.
• Office‑based role with some travel; must be able to sit, walk, or stand for long durations.
• Legally authorized to work in the United States; no visa sponsorship available.

Benefits

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Short‑Term Disability, Long‑Term Disability, 401(k) match, Flexible Spending Accounts, Employee Assistance Program, Education Assistance, Parental Leave, Paid Time Off, Holidays, short‑term incentives, and other salary supplements.

Equal Employment Opportunity

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other legally protected status.