General counsel Jobs in Chicago, IL

RWE Clean Energy, LLC

To start as soon as possible, full time, permanent

Functional area : Legal / Compliance

Remuneration : Exempt

The

Assistant General Counsel

will provide legal support to the U.S. renewable energy business team with a focus on certain areas of the United States, as determined by management.

Work will be dedicated to the provision of legal advice associated with real estate topics in connection with the preparation and negotiation of a wide variety of real estate documents required for the development and construction of renewable energy projects, e.g., lease agreements, easements, purchase options, co-tenancy agreements, shared facilities agreements, and crossing agreements.

Work will include review of title documents, resolution of title issues, negotiation of title insurance policies, and related topics, together with the ability to work with support staff and other business partners, collaboratively, to support the Company’s real estate developers in the acquisition of land & development rights for prospective renewable energy projects.

Work will also include significant support and assistance in the discretionary local and state zoning processes and permitting requirements for renewable development projects.

Position requires close alignment and cooperation with the Company’s Legal Department’s teams in Austin, Texas, and Chicago, Illinois (may include up to 5% travel), close alignment with business partners, and a practical focus to find viable business solutions.

Role Responsibilities

Provide real estate and permitting legal support for the North American renewable energy business team (BESS, wind & solar) in connection with the development, construction, and operation of renewable energy projects in the United States

Provide legal advice related to land use, permitting, and real estate topics, including reviewing, drafting, and negotiating lease agreements, purchase agreements, co-tenancy agreements, shared facilities agreements, crossing agreements, title documents, title insurance policies, and ALTA project surveys

Advise legal leadership and other stakeholders during operations, identifying site control obligations and timing elements related to project operations, and advising on third‑party requests, ownership changes, and release land requests

Provide real estate and permitting support on mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, and other strategic transactions from inception through closing, including review of transaction documents, purchase agreements, disclosure schedules, and ancillary contracts; develop and maintain templates and processes to streamline transaction execution and improve efficiency

Conduct legal due diligence, identify risks and liabilities, and provide practical recommendations to mitigate those risks related to land use, permitting, and real estate topics

Mentor junior attorneys and other legal staff in the real estate and permitting department

Support tax equity financing efforts by preparing diligence materials, managing data rooms, and contributing to transaction documents and disclosure schedules in coordination with the structured finance team

Work collaboratively with legal support staff, utilizing land management software to support business teams in the acquisition of land rights for renewable energy projects

Collaborate with cross‑functional teams (finance, tax, HR, compliance, operations, and business leadership) to ensure projects align with strategic objectives

Manage and oversee outside counsel for overflow work, ensuring cost‑effective and timely legal support

Collaborate with and delegate to paralegals, real estate specialists, and administrative staff to ensure efficient workflow and task distribution

Maintain a big‑picture perspective on how real estate and permitting risks fit into the overall project lifecycle and risk review, requiring understanding of interconnection, energy marketing, environmental, regulatory, and procurement topics

Job Requirements and Experiences

J.D. (Juris Doctor) degree from a U.S. university

Admission to a state bar in the United States

Minimum 10 years of experience as a real estate lawyer with significant experience in renewables or energy projects, including BESS, solar and wind permitting and real estate matters; preferred experience in energy transmission, interconnection agreements, tax abatement agreements, and special use permits

Experience in energy‑related businesses in the U.S., focusing on legal work for the development, construction, and operation of renewable energy and / or independent power projects

Strong interpersonal and relationship‑management skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with internal teams, external counsel, title companies, surveyors, utilities, and counterparties

Highly organized, with the ability to coordinate multiple projects, manage competing priorities, and meet critical real estate and permitting milestones

Adaptable and effective in rapidly changing environments

Demonstrated desire to learn about the Company

Goal‑oriented, resourceful, with strong problem‑solving skills and the ability to identify practical solutions to complex real estate and permitting challenges

Proven ability to empathize, build relationships, and effectively communicate with people from diverse backgrounds

Office‑based role with some travel to other RWECE offices and field locations, including New York, California, Chicago, and Austin

Must be able to sit, walk, or stand for long durations of time

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. RWE Clean Energy is unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of employment visas at this time.

Pay Range

The annual base salary range for this position in Illinois is $190,000 - $235,000. The listed salary range represents our good faith estimate for this position and represents the range for new hire salaries across all U.S. locations. Please note that the salary information is a general guideline only. RWE considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate’s education & work experience, training & certifications, and key skills as well as market and business considerations at the time of the offer.

Benefits Offered

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Short‑Term Disability, Long‑Term Disability, 401(k) match, Flexible Spending Accounts, EAP, Education Assistance, Parental Leave, Paid time off, and Holidays. Eligible employees also participate in short‑term incentives, in addition to salary.

Equal Employment Opportunity

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other legally protected status.

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