Associate: Project Development

White & Case•Houston, TX

41d•Onsite

About The Position

We are currently looking for a mid-level Associate with experience in drafting and negotiating commercial and project development agreements (W&C Response: JVAs, LLCAs, LNG SPAs, JOAs, PPAs, VPPAs, tolling, terminalling, MSAs, AMAs, etc.) to join our EIPAF practice group. In addition to outstanding academic credentials, you should demonstrate excellent legal knowledge—particularly with respect to energy-related project development matters, including joint ventures and complex commercial transactions. Combining strong analytical and drafting skills, you should be comfortable navigating the contractual intricacies of complex, large-scale projects. Highly organized and deadline-focused, you should be adept at managing multiple work streams and delivering work within short timeframes. Personable and cooperative, you should enjoy working as part of a team, and be adept at building strong professional relationships. Good communication skills will be a significant asset. Working on major, high-profile transactions which can take months or years to close, you will need patience and focus. Excited by our practice, you should be keen to take on as much responsibility as possible, and display the proactivity of thought and action to exceed the expectations of both colleagues and clients. White & Case’s Energy, Infrastructure, Project and Asset Finance Group has a worldwide reputation for helping sponsors and developers to achieve their most complex and ambitious project goals. The preeminent global law firm in this field, we offer our clients an unrivaled depth and breadth of knowledge and experience, in jurisdictions across the globe and across all the major project development sectors. We have significant experience in the major sectors, including power generation and transmission (thermal power, nuclear energy and all forms of renewable energy); oil & gas (liquefied natural gas (LNG) and petrochemicals); infrastructure (roads, airports, bridges, railways, ports and social infrastructure); mining & metals; water and wastewater treatment; and telecommunications and digital infrastructure (towers, broadband, fiber-optics and satellites). From the moment you join us, you will be working with leading practitioners within our Group, as well as with colleagues from the firm’s M&A, Capital Markets and Regulatory & Compliance practices, who contribute their sector-specific expertise to our multidisciplinary project teams. As an associate, you will undertake a range of logistics and communication tasks geared towards driving the process forwards, and ensuring that all the parties involved are aware of—and happy with—the direction of travel. You will also handle a significant amount of contractual work, reviewing and drafting such documents as PPAs, VPPAs, LNG SPAs, tolling, terminal and capacity agreements. The work can be demanding, but is always rewarding—both in terms of the constant opportunities for learning and professional development, and the satisfaction of contributing to high-profile projects, which have a lasting impact on people’s lives.

Requirements

A Juris Doctor (JD) degree (LLM or foreign equivalent) from an accredited law school
Admitted to the Texas bar (or the ability to become admitted) and in good standing
4+ years of relevant law firm or in-house experience; transactional experience required
Strong academic record and intellectual curiosity, creative thinker
Commercial and business awareness
Ability to see the big picture
Outstanding communication and negotiation skills
Strong time management skills, ability to stay calm under pressure when juggling multiple projects
Excellent drafting skills
Driven by professional growth
Strong professional presence
Client service focus
Team player
Strong judgment
Proactive, resourceful, takes initiative
Long-term interest in business law
Fluency in English

Nice To Haves

International experience a plus

Responsibilities

Drafting of PPAs, VPPAs, LNG SPAs, JOAs, LLCAs, JVAs, terminalling agreement, time charters, asset management agreements (among others)
Assist with resolving (or avoiding) commercial disputes and administration of ongoing projects
Conducting research and drafting of memoranda, including impacts of local, Federal, and international laws
Analysis and understanding of energy regulatory and operational practices, including familiarity with various industry forms and practices (e.g., AIEN, BIMCO, ISDA, NAESB)
Drafting, negotiating and enforcing parent guarantees, letters of credit, and other forms of performance security
Lead and support complex energy project transactions, including drafting, negotiating, and reviewing development agreements across upstream, midstream, and downstream sectors.
Advise clients on project development, financing, acquisitions and divestitures in the energy industry globally.
Support innovative projects in both traditional oil & gas and alternative energy, including offshore energy and LNG
Involvement in due diligence – prepare legal opinions
Liaising with local counsel in relevant jurisdictions
Coordination with internal subject matter experts
Communication with clients (via telephone, teleconference, E-mail)
Providing direct assistance to senior lawyers on matters arising in the course of day-to-day provision of legal services to leading international and domestic corporate clients
Managing, and training junior associates
Perform research and prepare pitch materials for business development initiatives
Joining educational seminars and practice groups

Benefits

White & Case LLP offers a comprehensive suite of benefit programs to all eligible employees, including medical, dental, and vision insurance, life and disability coverage, 401(k) retirement savings, vacation time, and leave programs (including parental leave). Exempt roles are also performance bonus eligible.

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