Firm Summary White & Case is an elite global law firm serving leading companies, financial institutions and governments worldwide. Our long history as an international firm means we are perfectly placed to help our clients resolve their most complex legal challenges wherever they may be.
With lawyers operating from more than 47 locations, working in virtually every country of the world, we have invested heavily in building a high-quality full-service practice competing at the top of the market. We are distinguished by our on-the-ground presence in the world's key financial markets and our strengths in handling complex cross-border work.
It's not just about our global network of offices and shared services centers; it's the global interconnectedness of the Firm that our people, and our clients, value most. We work well together across geographic and practice boundaries. It's one of the reasons we attract and retain cross-border work.
Our lawyers are globally minded, enterprising, collaborative and committed to excellence. Our people represent 90 nationalities and speak 80 languages.
Position Summary We are currently looking for a mid-level Associate with experience in drafting and negotiating commercial and project development agreements (PPAs, VPPAs, tolling, terminalling, AMAs, LNG SPAs, JOAs, LLCAs, JVAs, 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.
Our Practice Area 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.
Duties and Accountabilities 1 - 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
- 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
Qualifications - 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
- International experience a plus
Location and Reporting This role is based in Houston, Texas.
Equal Opportunities White & Case is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and is committed to creating a fair workplace. It is our Firm's policy to recruit, employ, train, compensate and promote without regard to race, color, religion, creed, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, military or veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other category protected by applicable law.
Applicants who are interested in applying for a position and require an accommodation during the process should contact .
Note to recruitment agencies: Our internal Recruitment team are responsible for all end-to-end lateral recruitment processes. All agencies must sign White & Case terms of business, which are office specific. Candidates submitted by an agency without terms of business agreed with the appropriate office, and/or outside of our online application tracking system, will not be considered a formal introduction. Any applications and CVs sent directly to White & Case Partners and employees will not be accepted as formal introductions. If you have any questions, please contact the Americas Lateral Recruitment team.
Benefits at White and Case 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.
The Firm may modify and amend any job description at any time in its sole discretion. Nothing herein creates a contract of employment or otherwise modifies the at-will nature of employment.
1The above is only a general description of the essential duties associated with this position and does not represent an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all duties.
