Senior/Associate General Counsel – Transactional Attorney
Why This Role Matters
This is an opportunity to serve as a trusted legal and business advisor to Hawaiian Electric, helping structure and navigate the complex commercial transactions that support the company’s operations and long-term strategy. As an Associate General Counsel or Senior Associate General Counsel, you’ll partner directly with business leaders on sophisticated contracts and transactions, balancing legal risk with commercial objectives. You’ll have visibility across the organization and the opportunity to influence important decisions at one of Hawaii’s most essential companies.
Your Impact
- Lead and advise on complex commercial contracts and transactions
- Partner with senior leaders to evaluate legal risk and achieve business objectives
- Structure, negotiate, and support agreements across a variety of business initiatives
- Translate complex legal issues into practical, actionable business guidance
- Help shape policies and strategies that proactively manage risk
- At the Senior AGC level, provide greater strategic direction, mentorship, and independent leadership on complex matters
Responsibilities
Lead Commercial & Transactional Matters
- Advise on sophisticated commercial agreements, corporate transactions, and contractual matters
- Draft, review, and negotiate agreements while balancing legal protections with business priorities
- Evaluate complex legal issues and recommend practical solutions
- Advise leaders on commercial and corporate liabilities and emerging legal risks
Advise the Business
- Serve as a trusted legal partner to officers, managers, and cross-functional teams
- Provide guidance across related areas such as finance, construction, real estate, federal contracts and grants, technology, intellectual property, privacy, and regulatory matters
- Communicate complex legal risks clearly to senior management
- Help business partners understand legal developments that may affect operations or strategy
Support Strategic Initiatives
- Serve as legal advisor on task forces, committees, and special projects
- Help develop company policies, procedures, and business strategies
- Provide legal guidance on high-visibility initiatives across Hawaiian Electric and its subsidiaries
- Represent and advocate for Hawaiian Electric’s interests with external stakeholders when appropriate
Manage Legal Matters & Outside Counsel
- Manage and provide direction to outside counsel to ensure efficient, high-value legal support
- Monitor outside counsel performance and costs
- Partner with Legal Department team members to effectively execute legal initiatives
- Handle appropriate matters before governmental agencies or courts as needed
Requirements
Associate General Counsel
- JD and admission to the Hawaii State Bar, or active good-standing membership in another state with the ability to obtain Hawaii admission
- 4+ years of legal experience
- Strong commercial and business law experience, particularly contract law and complex commercial transactions
- Ability to independently analyze legal and business risks and develop creative solutions
- Strong negotiation, communication, and relationship-building skills
Senior Associate General Counsel
In addition to the qualifications above:
- 7+ years of legal experience
- 3+ years of concentrated experience in a relevant specialized practice area
- Broad knowledge of energy law and/or applicable transactional and commercial legal areas
- Experience independently advising senior leaders on sophisticated matters
- Strong leadership, relationship management, and mentoring capabilities
Why Hawaiian Electric
This role offers the opportunity to bring your transactional experience in-house and become a true partner to the business. Rather than focusing solely on individual deals, you’ll develop a deep understanding of Hawaiian Electric’s operations and help guide commercial decisions with meaningful implications for the company and the communities it serves.
You’ll join an organization guided by its core values of Safety, Aloha, Integrity, and Excellence, with the opportunity to expand your expertise and build a long-term in-house legal career.