Assistant General Counsel – Land & Permitting

The Dahill Group is delighted to be assisting our well-established client in search for an Assistant General Counsel within our client’s legal department in Houston, TX. This critical role will provide land and permitting support for a diverse range of midstream assets including oil, gas, decarbonization and other energy transition assets. Our client is a leading energy infrastructure company with extensive plans to expand beyond their current asset base in midstream infrastructure to include clean energy storage, hydrogen development, CO2 transportation in pursuit to provide lower carbon energy solutions. We are excited to be partnering with them on this critical Assistant General Counsel role.

This role will operate in a high-performing, fast-paced, and multi-disciplinary setting working closely with internal and external stakeholders.

Responsibilities of the role:

·        Negotiate all types of land use agreements, e.g., easements, surface use agreements, leases, and fee-simple purchases for large linear pipeline projects 

·        Support federal, state, and local permitting efforts associated with major projects, including but not limited to, working the BLM and other federal agencies for right of way grants, obtaining state and county land use rights, etc.

·        Provide legal support for eminent domain and pre-emption matters 

·        Support the environmental group on NEPA process for federal right-of-way

·        Experience working on tribal matters a plus.

·        Engage on projects nationwide across multiple industry sectors.

·        Communicate effectively, and on a timely basis, with technical consultants, community partners, senior management, and co-workers.

·        Demonstrate a willingness to learn new areas to develop a career within the company.  

·        Other special projects or duties as identified and defined.

·        Attend and participate in staff meetings, other internal meetings, and meetings with customers, investors, partners, and other third parties as requested.

·        Maintain a high regard for personal safety, the safety of company assets and employees, and the general public.

Additional Skills & Abilities:

·        Able to work independently and quickly, self-starter, successfully perform multiple tasks and balance competing demanding deadlines.

·        Excellent verbal and written communication skills and ability to listen carefully.

·        Strong analytical skills and logical thought processes.

·        Ability to write clearly and effectively.

·        Proficiency with relevant legal research tools.

·        Able to work with a team, take direction from management, adhere to required work schedules, focus attention on details, and follow work rules.

·        Ability to organize and prioritize daily work.

·        Ability to successfully perform multiple tasks with strict deadlines.

·        Ability to maintain strict confidentiality.

·        Must be able to perform all essential and marginal functions of the job.

·        Deal with a wide variety of people with tact, courtesy and professionalism.

·        Maintain regular, dependable attendance and a consistently high level of performance.

·        Work non-traditional hours as needed.

·        Job level commensurate with experience and skill sets; position will be filled depending on qualifications, experience and skill sets of the successful candidate.

 Required Qualifications:

·        Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school; strong academic credentials.

·        Preferred eleven (11) years of relevant legal experience supporting midstream business with a leading law firm or within the industry

·        Communicate effectively, and on a timely basis, with regulators, technical consultants, community partners, senior management, and co-workers.

·        Work independently, while also thriving in a team-based environment; know when to seek assistance.

·        Experience managing budgets.

·        Rigorous professional ethics.

·        In-house experience a plus.

·        Adapting quickly in a dynamic, fast-paced work environment to successfully multi-task and manage deadlines to proactively complete transactions.

·        Taking the initiative by being action-oriented, immediately responsive to your client, and seeking opportunities for personal improvement.

·        Must be licensed to practice law in the U.S. and either licensed or eligible to waive into the local bar.

 Salary & Benefits: 

• Compensation: $190,000 to $210,000 base salary
• Bonus: Substantially above market annual bonus – double in comparison to industry standards in midstream
• Equity Package/LTI included for this role
• 6% 401k company match, with an additional Company 401k contribution up to 4% based on the Company’s financial performance.
• Benefits Overview: The goal of our client’s Total Rewards Program is to support the health and well-being of you and your family. Their comprehensive compensation plan includes the following benefits, in addition to many others:
• Paid time off including vacation days, holidays (8, +2 discretionary holidays)
• Parental leave for mothers, fathers, and adoptive parents
• Healthcare coverage (health savings account and wellness incentive), dental, vision, and life insurance plans to cover you and your family.