In the Legal Counsel II role you will provide legal support for RWE Clean Energy’s Distributed Clean Energy (DCE) development team (solar and/or energy storage) in connection with the development, purchase and sale of renewable energy projects.  Work will be dedicated to the provision of legal advice associated with the preparation and negotiation of a wide variety of real estate documents required for site control and the development of renewable energy projects, including but not limited to binding option lease and purchase agreements, offtake agreements, co-tenancy agreements, shared facilities agreements and crossing agreements. Work includes review of title and survey documents, resolution of title and survey issues, negotiation of title insurance policies and related topics.  Legal Counsel II will collaborate the Assistant General Counsel for DCE and support staff and developers collaboratively and efficiently, with speed and accuracy moving through a large volume of site control documents. Position requires close alignment and cooperation with the company’s legal team in Austin, Texas, Chicago, Illinois, Tampa, Florida and other locations, close alignment with the business partners of Legal and DCE, and demonstrated ability to apply a practical focus to legal issues with a view to finding viable business solutions for those legal issues.

Responsibilities:

• Review, redline and negotiate site control documents across multiple states, including binding options to lease and binding options to purchase
• Review of title and survey documents, resolution of title and survey issues, negotiation of title insurance policies and related topics
• Interface and provide legal advice, support and training to the company’s developers in the acquisition of land rights for the development of renewable energy projects
• Prepare agreements and closing documentation for land acquisitions and sales
• Upload, track and update project development and closing information using a land management database software
• Work with outside counsel, as necessary

Qualifications:

• J.D. (Juris Doctor) degree required
• Admission to a state bar in the United States, with preference for membership in either the Illinois bar or Texas bar (either currently or by way of reciprocity) required
• Minimum five years’ experience as a real estate lawyer. Successful candidates are (i) required to have specific legal knowledge and experience in real estate matters and purchase, sale and assignment agreements, and (ii) preferably have experience in some of the following areas: development/origination of renewable energy projects, local government permitting and/or negotiation of tax abatement agreements
• Industry experience: energy-related businesses in the U.S., with particular emphasis on legal work associated with the development, purchase and sale of renewable energy and/or independent power projects (i.e., community solar)
• Strong interpersonal skills, with ability to manage customer relationships, both internal and external
• Demonstrated desire to learn about the Company and the renewables space
• Excellent proficiency with Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook) and Teams
• Strong leadership and communication, and ability to meet deadlines
• Strong organization skills and ability to coordinate multiple tasks and deliverables
• Ability to multi-task, while working independently and as part of a team
• Motivated self-starter, goal-oriented, and strong problem-solving abilities
• Proven ability to empathize, build relationships, and effectively communicate with people from a diverse set of backgrounds
• Responds well to direction, is easy to challenge and develop, and is coachable

Pay range: The annual base salary range for this position in New York City is $133,000 - $199,500. The listed salary range represents our good faith estimate for this position and represents the range for new hire salaries across all U.S locations. Please note that the salary information is a general guideline only. RWE considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate’s education & work experience, training & certifications, and key skills as well as market and business considerations at the time of the offer.

Benefits offered: Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, 401(k) match, Flexible Spending Accounts, EAP, Education Assistance, Parental Leave, Paid time off, and Holidays. Eligible employees also participate in short-term incentives, in addition to salary.

RWE is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

For 125 years RWE has been the source of energy for millions of people across the globe. Now we’re making all that energy green. This decade alone we’re investing €50bn into renewables and will be carbon neutral by 2040 – ten years earlier than most other global targets. This is a chance to play a key role on our journey.

Join our renewables specialists, working across the clean energy spectrum to grow our operations to 50 GW by 2030 – with some of the world’s largest on and offshore wind farms and industry-leading hydrogen initiatives. We’re also considered innovators in solar development including floating photovoltaics and agri-photovoltaics. Or add your expertise to our supply and trading operations, brokering renewable electricity, green gas, commodities, and CO2 emission allowances from one of our advanced energy trading floors.