Counsel, Transactions

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.

Calling all “deal junkies”!  New Leaf Energy, Inc. is seeking a Counsel, Transactions to support our growing project development business. In this role you will serve as Counsel for the purchase and sale of our renewable energy projects, and will provide legal advice across multiple departments, including project finance (mergers and acquisitions), project development, interconnection, compliance, and policy. This position reports to the Associate General Counsel, Transactions. 

This position may be filled out of our Lowell, MA, Boston, MA, Chicago, IL, Oakland, CA, or 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 from home on other days.

Position responsibilities will include, but are not limited to: 

• Counsel, advise, and support project finance professionals on structuring transactions to acquire and dispose of renewable energy assets with only moderate supervision;
• Draft, review and negotiate membership interest purchase agreements (MIPAs) and asset purchase agreements (APAs) for the acquisition and disposition of renewable energy projects with only moderate supervision.  Independently draft, review, and negotiate related ancillary documents and disclosure schedules;
• Identify, counsel, and advise New Leaf Energy of the risks arising in connection with purchase and sale transactions; develop and execute plans for mitigating such risks;
• Effectively collaborate with, counsel, and advise cross-functional stakeholders (including legal, real estate, project development, project finance, interconnection, and policy) on matters relating to purchase and sale transactions;
• Assist in identifying, designing, implementing, and modifying measures to improve the quality and efficiency of New Leaf’s tools and processes relating to origination, due diligence, negotiation, and closing of renewable energy transactions.  Draft, update, and maintain template documents;
• Draft, review, and negotiate other commercial agreements, including joint venture agreements, power purchase agreements (PPAs), interconnection agreements, and amendments, all with only moderate supervision;
• Provide legal support for entity management, general corporate matters, and compliance matters (including forming entities, dissolving entities, coordinating and assisting with annual reporting obligations for entities, and effectuating corporate reorganizations);
• Provide legal support for other project development matters, including state/federal energy regulatory matters, state/federal incentive programs, energy procurement RFPs, equipment procurement, and other emerging issues affecting New Leaf’s business;
• Effective cross-team collaboration and coordination of legal workload with colleagues.
• Manage and supervise outside counsel as needed;
• Assist with managing disputes as needed;
• Perform other duties as assigned.
  

Desired Qualifications

While no one individual will possess them all, the successful candidate will bring many of the following experiences, skills, and attributes. If you’re unsure whether you meet enough of the qualifications below but believe that your experience and skill set is a good match for this position, we invite you to apply!

• Law degree and strong academic record from a leading ABA accredited law school;
• At least 5 years of substantial, relevant legal experience at a top-tier law firm, sophisticated corporate legal department, or combination of the two;
• At least 5 years of substantial, relevant legal experience in structuring, drafting and negotiating purchase and sale agreements, specifically MIPAs, APAs and related ancillary agreements;
• Comprehensive knowledge of the legal issues, key deal points and customary process of mergers and acquisitions transactions;
• Ability to structure, draft, review, and negotiate other project/commercial contracts with moderate supervision;
• Strong problem solving skills; a proactive and independent thinker, with 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;
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively in a team and develop relationships with internal clients;
• Ability to independently handle competing deadlines and shift priorities in a fast-paced environment;
• Excellent communication skills, including ability to effectively and succinctly explain legal concepts to business counterparts and willingness to voice opinions;
• Passion for accelerating the adoption of renewable energy;
• Renewable energy experience in solar, wind and/or storage is preferred, but not a requirement;
• Licensed to practice law or registered as in house counsel in the State where the applicable NLE office is located.

Compensation

New Leaf Energy compensates all employees in three ways: market-competitive base salary, plus above-market variable compensation, plus an equity-like program such that all employees experience the benefits of ownership.  We use a data-driven and transparent methodology to calibrate compensation that is externally competitive and internally equitable, guided by the New Leaf Energy compensation manual, which is available to all employees.

Under our compensation framework, the likely base salary range for this position in the Oakland location is $184,810-$214,780. The on-target annual cash bonus associated with this position is an additional 10% percent of base salary. Your actual salary may be above, in, or below this range, depending on your location and experience. We value transparency and can share more during the interview process.

Benefits and Culture

New Leaf Energy’s success is driven by our collaborative, long-term relationships based on trust and transparency. We offer a flexible work environment that places significant responsibility in independent teams and creates opportunities for innovation and personal growth. New Leaf Energy’s benefits are designed to appropriately recognize our employees’ contributions and enable a reasonable work/life balance. Our benefits include:

• 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.

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

New Leaf Energy values the diverse perspectives, skills, experiences, and contributions of all employees. We want all our employees to feel like they belong and are empowered to be their most authentic selves at work. We’re actively committed to fostering diversity and creating an inclusive environment not only within our own organization but also within the clean energy industry.

We seek a diverse candidate pool in this–and every–search. New Leaf Energy provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, genetics, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by state, federal and local laws. In addition to federal law requirements, New Leaf Energy complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. EEO M/F/D/V.

A Note to Third-Party Recruiters

New Leaf Energy’s People + Culture team coordinates all recruiting and hiring at our company. New Leaf Energy does not accept unsolicited resumes from third-party recruiters, staffing firms, or related agencies. Resumes are only accepted from third-party recruiters, staffing firms, or related agencies if a signed agreement is in place AND if external recruiting assistance is authorized by the People + Culture team for a specific position. All unsolicited resumes will be considered the property of New Leaf Energy. New Leaf Energy is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.