Associate Legal Counsel, Commercial Transactions

Role Overview

We are seeking a commercial transactions/finance attorney (4-7+ years' experience) to support legal aspects of the Company's business development, corporate and project finance, and general corporate functions. This role partners closely with the Senior Legal Counsel, Commercial Transactions, and cross-functional business teams to structure, negotiate, and execute complex commercial and financing transactions. As such, the ideal candidate is proactive, has strong time management abilities, demonstrates effective communication and legal writing skills, and is capable of independently managing transactions while exercising sound legal judgment in a demanding environment with the opportunity to broaden areas of expertise over time.

Core Responsibilities

• Transaction Execution: Manage and support corporate and project finance, M&A, and commercial transactions, including due diligence, structuring, drafting, and negotiation, as well as deal flow management. Oversee transaction closings, including stakeholder coordination and closing deliverables.
• Contracting: Draft, negotiate, and administer key agreements, including power purchase agreements, renewable energy certificate (REC) purchase and sale agreements, asset purchase agreements, stock purchase agreements, and consulting/services agreements for a variety of business units and needs. Support negotiation and drafting of financing agreements, including loan agreements, tax equity agreements, letters of credit, indemnity, bonding, and surety agreements, and portfolio credit agreements.
• Outside Counsel Management: Efficiently supervise outside counsels where engaged, though expect that much of the legal work will be managed in-house by the candidate.
• Business Partnership and General Support: Serve as a trusted legal advisor to the Business Development, Integrated Project Delivery, Accounting, and Project Finance teams and provide legal support on broader commercial and operational matters as needed in support of the growth of the Company.

Execution Expectations

• Manage multiple transactions and deadlines simultaneously.
• Deliver practical, risk-balanced legal advice to the Company's business units.
• Communicate effectively, both in writing and orally, with internal and external stakeholders.
• Operate independently while collaborating across business teams.
• Represent the organization professionally with vendors, customers, utilities, local officials, financing partners, and other project stakeholders.

Qualifications

Education: J.D. degree from an ABA-accredited US law school; active bar admission in good standing in at least one state with ability to obtain bar admission in Tennessee.

Experience:

• Minimum of 4 years of experience as a commercial, M&A/corporate, or finance lawyer at a top-tier law firm or in-house legal department.
• Substantial experience with finance transactions and complex commercial transactions, including experience drafting and negotiating high-value agreements independently.
• Renewable energy project finance experience (debt and tax credit) strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to:
  • Manage multiple deals concurrently with strong attention to detail and organization.
  • Provide pragmatic, business-oriented advice.
  • Build relationships with internal stakeholders.