Associate Legal Counsel, Real Estate and Project Development (m/w/d)

Silicon Ranch is a fully integrated provider of customized renewable energy, carbon, and battery storage solutions for a diverse set of partners across North America.

We are known for putting community partnerships first, and are the only renewable energy company in the U.S. that owns and operates all of its solar ranches and has a 100% track record for successful delivery.

• We have the largest utility scale agrivoltaics portfolio in the country under Regenerative Energy®, our nationally recognized holistic approach to project design, construction, and land management. Our model incorporates regenerative ranching and other regenerative land management practices to restore livelihoods and soil health, biodiversity, and water quality.

Through our subsidiary, Clearloop, we are able to help businesses of all sizes reclaim their carbon footprint with a direct investment in building new solar projects while also helping bring renewable energy and economic development to distressed communities.

By joining Silicon Ranch, you will be joining a team of experienced and dedicated individuals who have proven time and again that it is indeed possible to not only “make solar do more”, but to make the promise of carbon-free, renewable energy that benefits people right where it comes from a tangible, measurable, and replicable reality.

Silicon Ranch is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace that is reflective of the communities in which we work and serve. We are an equal opportunity employer and will consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics.

Job Description

Position: Associate Legal Counsel, Real Estate and Project Development

Location: Nashville, TN

Overview: We are looking for an experienced real estate attorney to manage and lead aspects of the land functions of both the company and our solar energy projects. The candidate must be very proactive, demonstrate strong communication and legal writing skills, and be willing to assist the Real Estate and Project Development legal team and General Counsel in meeting the complex legal needs of the company and its various divisions. The candidate must also have strong judgment and time-management skills and be willing to work independently.

Main Responsibilities

As Associate Legal Counsel, Real Estate and Project Development, the candidate will work on early-stage project development and real estate contracting matters affecting the Company, including (i) drafting, negotiating and administering real estate option agreements, lease agreements, easement option agreements, purchase agreements and other site control documents; (ii) preparing closing documents and managing the closing for land acquisition and easement transactions, including coordination with represented and unrepresented landowners; (iii) working to secure title insurance for the Company’s growing real estate portfolio; (iv) working with the project development business team to manage and resolve title and ownership issues to allow for “clean” title policies; (v) assisting on real estate-related due diligence efforts undertaken by the Company in support of the Company’s Project Development team and the Company’s M&A efforts; and (vi) regularly collaborating with outside counsel, opposing counsel, unrepresented landowners and title companies. The candidate should also have the ability and willingness to provide general legal services outside of land matters as required. In fulling these responsibilities, the candidate must be able to:

• Manage negotiations and contracting in support of a large and growing division of Company employees and obligations to third-party stakeholders.
• Communicate effectively and responsibly with counterparts of all levels of sophistication.
• Prioritize work in order to meet project goals including deadlines, cost targets and project schedules.
• Be responsible for reviewing and maintaining project records.
• Work as a team player with effective written and oral communication skills.
• Represent the organization professionally with vendors, partners, other attorneys, and members of the communities where our Projects are located

Reporting

The candidate shall report directly to the Senior Legal Counsel.

Qualifications

Education: J.D. degree from an ABA-accredited US law school; active bar admission in good standing in at least one state with ability to obtain bar admission in Tennessee.

Experience:

• Minimum of 4 years of significant, relevant experience as a transactional real estate lawyer at a top-tier law firm or sophisticated corporate legal department negotiating and administering high-value land contracts and title matters
• Experience managing commercial real estate matters, including land contracts, managing and mitigating title issues, and de-risking real estate assets
• Experience managing multiple commercial contracts and closings simultaneously
• Strong academic background from reputable law school
• A team player with the ability to proactively identify problems, drive projects, make complex cost/benefit assessments, and identify pragmatic/creative legal and business solutions
• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to quickly earn the confidence of your colleagues and effectively communicate with people at all levels of the organization and all levels of legal sophistication
• Accurate and strong attention to detail and high level of organization