Houston Corporate Transactions and Advisory Associates (Oil & Gas)

About the role

Clifford Chance’s Houston office is seeking an experienced associate to join its Corporate Transactions & Advisory group with a primary focus on upstream, midstream, and broader oil and gas transactions. The position supports the growing Houston-based team led by Global Co-Head of the Energy & Resources Sector and Head of the Oil & Gas practice, David Sweeney, and Joclynn Marsh.

The successful candidate will work on sophisticated domestic and international energy transactions across the full oil and gas value chain, including acquisitions and divestitures, joint ventures, project development, infrastructure transactions, and other complex commercial arrangements.

Responsibilities

• Advise energy companies, private equity sponsors, infrastructure investors, and other market participants on transactional matters.
• Handle upstream and midstream acquisitions and divestitures, mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, development projects, farmouts and farmins, joint operating agreements, gathering, transportation and processing agreements, produced water and related infrastructure arrangements, and other energy-sector commercial contracts.
• Manage significant portions of transactions independently, coordinate with specialists across multiple practice areas, and communicate effectively with clients and opposing counsel.
• Provide practical, business-oriented advice and possess strong drafting, negotiation, issue-spotting, and project management skills.
• Work directly with clients and demonstrate familiarity with the commercial and operational aspects of the energy industry, including upstream, midstream, LNG, offshore, and infrastructure projects.

Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited law school.
• Active membership in good standing with the Texas Bar, or eligibility to waive into the Texas Bar.
• At least three years of law firm experience focused on oil and gas, energy, infrastructure, or natural resources transactions.
• Significant experience with mergers and acquisitions, acquisitions and divestitures (A&D), joint ventures, project development, and related energy-sector transactions.
• Experience drafting and negotiating transaction documents and commercial agreements commonly used in the oil and gas industry, including purchase and sale agreements, joint operating agreements, farmout agreements, joint development agreements, gathering and transportation agreements, and other midstream arrangements.
• Ability to independently manage transaction workstreams and coordinate multidisciplinary teams in complex transactions.
• Strong understanding of the energy industry and the commercial drivers affecting upstream, midstream, LNG, offshore, and infrastructure projects.
• Excellent legal research, analytical, drafting, negotiation, and communication skills.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple matters and deadlines in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
• Sound judgment, commercial awareness, intellectual curiosity, and a practical, client-focused approach.
• Experience representing private equity sponsors, portfolio companies, major energy companies, or infrastructure investors is preferred.

Pay

The salary range for this position is $260,000–$420,000. Actual salary will be commensurate with the candidate’s qualifications and relevant experience.