Counsel - IT & OT - Houston, TX

Primary Purpose

The incumbent will have expertise in the energy industry, including with data privacy and cybersecurity expertise and experience, and substantial experience supporting Fortune 500 companies on transactions primarily in the $1 to $10 million range, including with respect to the following:

• Drafting and negotiating multiparty technology transactions, including complex implementations, system integrations, and inbound and outbound software licensing agreements, including hosted software solutions and hardware and equipment purchases.
• Drafting and negotiating multiyear professional service, managed service, and outsourcing agreements to support HR, IT and Environmental departments.
• Drafting and negotiating a wide range of software-as-a-service agreements.
• Drafting and negotiating mutual and unilateral NDAs relating to patents, new technologies, software beta tests, and RFPs.
• Routinely collaborating with cross-functional teams, including without limitation tax, insurance/risk, audit, and business unit leadership.

In addition to the transactional expertise described above, the ideal candidate will also have experience in first tier legal reviews of privacy, cybersecurity, and data protection matters.

Good communication skills and the ability to coordinate with internal and external specialized consultants to ensure activities are conducted in an efficient manner with the highest level of skill and attention to detail. Work seamlessly with diverse teams in the U.S. and Mexico and have the ability to manage complex projects, meet deadlines, and complete assigned tasks with minimal to no supervision.

This position will interface with colleagues across Sempra Infrastructure offices in the U.S. and Mexico, with an expectation that the candidate can independently produce client-ready documents and work with others on complex transactions. Communicate business goals into contract language and provide commercially minded support to the business teams are preferred. Exhibit strong substantive legal skills (drafting and analysis), negotiation skills, commercial acumen, and the ability to collaborate and strategically partner with other lawyers and the business to achieve objectives.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Coordinate, draft, negotiate and monitor multiparty technology transactions, including complex implementations, system integrations, and inbound and outbound software licensing agreements, including hosted software solutions and hardware and equipment purchases.
• Draft and negotiate multiyear professional service, managed service, and outsourcing agreements to support HR, IT and Environmental departments.
• Draft and negotiate a wide range of software-as-a-service agreements.
• Draft and negotiate mutual and unilateral NDAs relating to patents, new technologies, software beta tests, and RFPs.
• Routinely collaborate with cross-functional teams, including without limitation tax, insurance/risk, audit, and business unit leadership.
• Provide significant updates to law department management and/or business unit leadership to stay regularly informed regarding matters assigned.
• Supervise and partner with outside counsel to ensure that all aspects of the company's legal representation are of the highest quality, including the day-to-day running of matters, overall strategy, written work, and oral advocacy.
• Perform other duties as assigned (no more than 5% of duties).

Education

• J.D. or LL.M from an accredited law school required.

Experience

• 5+ years of relevant legal experience for the job activities described above required.
• Direct experience trying cases before judge, juries and/or arbitration panels required.
• 3+ years of experience at a reputable law firm and/or in-house counsel preferred.
• Experience with the energy industry and local governmental law preferred.
• Experience with discovery processes, including E-discovery preferred.
• Experience with contract analysis, drafting and negotiating preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of the energy industry (specifically the LNG, power or natural gas industry) is desirable.
• Experience with inbound technology, business services, outsourcing transactions.
• Experience in Mexico should include administrative local and federal cases (preferably in the energy sector or in a highly regulated company), land disputes, amparo lawsuits.
• Knowledge of criminal system reform in Mexico.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills and strong analytic ability.
• Demonstrated ability to manage a range of legal matters independently or with limited support.
• Ability to translate complex legal concepts into actionable advice for the business unit and act as a strategic partner for the business.
• Ability to quickly learn and apply knowledge accurately to various legal situations affecting the Business Unit.

Licenses and Certifications

• Member in good standing of a U.S. State Bar with a strong preference for Texas or Louisiana required.

HYBRID: Work a combination of onsite and remote days each week, typically 3 days per week onsite.

Legal

Full-time

Note: The Company strives to ensure that employees are paid equitably and competitively. Starting salaries may vary based on factors such as relevant experience, qualifications, and education.

Sempra Infrastructure offers a competitive total rewards package that goes beyond base salary. This position is eligible for an annual performance-based incentive (bonus) as well as long-term incentive plans and additional merit-based recognition. Company benefits include health and welfare (medical, dental, vision), employer contributions to retirement benefits, life insurance, paid time off, as well as other company offerings such as tuition reimbursement, paid parental leave, and employee assistance programs.

Houston Center of Excellence-TXHS

Pay Range Pay Range

The estimated pay range for this job. Disclosing pay information promotes competitive and equitable pay.

The actual pay rate will depend on the person's qualifications and experience.

$145,900.00 - $243,700.00 / year

In order to support the Fair Compensation Strategy by the US Govt., HR Dept., clients are required to adhere to "Pay Transparency Law"; in the impacted states; that have mandated the employers to list the salary ranges in Job advertisements or postings for job opportunities and Job promotions.