
Job Summary:
Renewa is seeking an experienced Senior Legal Counsel with deep expertise in land acquisition, development, leasing transactions, as well as corporate legal matters. This role requires a seasoned attorney who is well-versed in negotiating, structuring, and closing complex real estate transactions, particularly involving raw land and large-scale commercial, industrial, or renewable energy projects coupled with the ability to advise on corporate governance, risk management, and general legal compliance.
The ideal candidate will play a dual role—leading complex real estate transactions while also handling broader corporate legal responsibilities, including contract negotiation, entity structuring, compliance, and risk mitigation. Experience working with Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) or advising on real estate finance structures is a plus. This is a strategic position that will work closely with executive leadership, external counsel, and internal stakeholders to support the company’s growth and operations and ensure seamless execution of high-value real estate deals.
Key Responsibilities:
- Transactional Leadership: Structure, negotiate, and close real estate transactions, including purchases, sales, leases, easements, and other land-related agreements. Coordinate with outside counsel and external counterparties as necessary to meet company objectives.
- Title & Survey Review: Analyze and resolve title and survey issues, including title insurance coverage, encumbrances, mineral rights, and access rights.
- Due Diligence & Risk Assessment: Conduct and oversee comprehensive real estate due diligence, including review of land use, permitting, environmental reports, ALTA surveys, title commitments, mineral rights, and access issues.
- Contract Drafting & Negotiation: Draft and negotiate purchase and sale agreements, ground leases, development agreements, easements, and other real estate documents.
- Risk Management & Compliance: Identify and mitigate legal risks related to business operations, including regulatory compliance, contractual obligations, and corporate policies.
- Corporate Governance & Transactions: Advise on corporate governance matters, entity structuring, and compliance with internal policies and external regulations. Support corporate transactions, including mergers, acquisitions, financings, and partnerships, ensuring proper legal structuring and due diligence.
- Litigation & Dispute Resolution: Manage legal disputes, coordinating with outside counsel and internal teams to minimize risk and liability.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with internal teams, including finance, land and operations, to align legal strategy with business objectives.
Qualifications & Experience:
- Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school.
- Active bar membership licensed to practice law in Texas, or another U.S. State.
- 10+ years of legal experience, with a strong focus on real estate transactions and corporate legal matters.
- Prior experience in renewable energy, infrastructure, or large-scale commercial real estate is highly desirable.
- Expertise in mitigating risk in real estate transactions, title and survey analysis, easements, access rights, mineral rights, and land use.
- Proven ability to manage complex real estate and corporate transactions.
- Exceptional contract drafting, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.
- Experience related to REIT compliance, real estate investment structures, and capital markets transactions a plus.
Preferred Skills:
- Experience with renewable energy leasing and land acquisitions.
- Strong business acumen and the ability to balance legal risk with business strategy.
- Project management and organizational skills.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.