Senior Counsel (Transactional)

Position Overview

Delta Utilities is seeking an attorney with at least 5 years of commercial and transactional legal experience. 

The Senior Counsel reports directly to the Chief Legal Officer and provides legal counsel and risk assessment regarding transactional and commercial matters. Broad and varied position with high level of autonomy and responsibility to provide sound legal advice. Provide legal support and advice across all operational areas as well as shared service functions, including gas supply, operations, real estate, supply chain, procurement, EHS, corporate communications, and others. Serves as the primary legal support for a variety of business professionals, such as senior management, company executives and/or leadership of key functions. Partners with leadership of key functions, to support key initiatives for the overall organization.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day advice and strategic planning on a wide variety of commercial and transactional legal matters.
• Structure, draft, negotiate, interpret, and manage a wide variety of agreements for the benefit of multiple shared service functions, including gas supply, real estate, supply chain, procurement, construction, EHS, corporate communications, and others.
• Draft form contracts and educate business teams on form contracts.
• Provide accurate and timely legal support focused on the needs of the business while ensuring compliance with applicable local, state, and federal laws.
• Liaise with other shared service functions, including procurement, tax, risk, EHS, IT and HR to ensure alignment with all relevant stakeholders.
• Monitor and advise the Company on current and new legislation and other regulatory matters and developments affecting business operations.
• Provides strategic legal analysis, advice and counsel on commercial matters.
• Assist with management of the legal budget, including oversight and approval of outside counsel spend.
• Collaborate with team on knowledge sharing, standardization and consistency of legal processes and operations, and utilizing technology to automate tasks where appropriate.
• Direct, manage, and collaborate with outside counsel representing the Company in commercial transactions and related litigation matters.
• Ensures compliance with company policies, including the Code of Conduct and Ethics, and ensures company’s operations comply with all legal and regulatory matters.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned by the Chief Legal Officer. 

Qualifications

• Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school
• 5 years legal experience at either a top law firm or a company (can be a combination)
• Preferred; experience supporting the energy and utility industries
• Excellent verbal/written communication and interpersonal skills with an ability to provide sound, clear legal advice to senior executives and other senior leaders
• Creative problem solving; aptitude to work collaboratively and in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to effectively and efficiently manage multiple time-sensitive projects simultaneously
• Strong leadership skills and client service orientation.
• Ability to work independently and manage high volume of transactional matters. 

About Delta Utilities

Delta Utilities is a leading natural gas utility with a core focus on natural gas distribution. Headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana, the utility will serve nearly 600,000 customers and become one of the leading natural gas providers in Louisiana and Mississippi, as well as one of the top 40 providers in the United States.

In 2023, Entergy announced that it had entered into an agreement with Delta Utilities to sell its Louisiana gas distribution business. The natural gas utility currently serves more than 200,000 customers across East Baton Rouge and Orleans parishes. In February 2024, Delta Utilities entered into an agreement with CenterPoint Energy to acquire its Louisiana and Mississippi natural gas businesses, which currently serve approximately 381,000 customers. Once the transactions are complete, Entergy's Louisiana natural gas operations and CenterPoint Energy's Louisiana and Mississippi natural gas systems will be operated by Delta Utilities. Learn more: https://deltautilities.com/

Delta Utilities and associated entities are equal-opportunity employers. We do not discriminate against employees or employment applicants on any legally recognized basis or any protected class under federal, state, or local law.

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