Senior Counsel (hybrid)

Senior Counsel

Location: Hybrid – 3 days/week in office, Columbus, OH

Job Description

The position requires the provision of legal advice to clients on various complex commercial matters, including real estate, supply chain, and other transactional matters. The successful candidate combines knowledge of one or more legal specialties with sound business acumen, knowledge of business goals and objectives, and significant experience and subject matter expertise supporting business-critical transactions.

This position reports to the Assistant General Counsel and is expected to understand NiSource’s business and be able to identify and analyze issues that impact the operation, execution and success of the business; and provide strategic practical advice and solutions to address identified concerns through cooperative means in partnership with internal business clients. The role is specifically designed to serve as a cross-functional partner to the entire commercial function, with preference given to candidates with experience in real estate matters, commercial transactions and supply chain/procurement matters. This position will serve to drive the organization to achieve strategic objectives by leveraging and supporting the capabilities and insights of individuals with diverse backgrounds, cultures, styles and abilities; and be a catalyst for helping the business to embrace organizational and cultural transformations for its betterment. The successful candidate should have at least five (5) years of legal experience. Foundational training as a lawyer either in-house in the energy sector or at a large law firm is strongly preferred.

Principle Duties and Responsibilities

• Resolves legal issues and provides proactive, strategic, business-savvy legal advice and counsel

• Manages complex matters

• Manages outside counsel on select matters

• Anticipates internal/external business and regulatory issues and provides applicable legal advice

• Reviews and revises contracts and other legal documents

• Drafts, reviews, negotiates, and advises on real estate transaction documents, including easements, leases, license agreements, and purchase and sale agreements

• Provides legal support for land rights, encroachments, access rights, and other property-related matters affecting utility operations

• Advises on local municipal laws, ordinances, rules, and regulations affecting real estate, utility operations, and commercial projects, including zoning, land use, permitting requirements, and other similar restrictions

• Leads or supports real estate due diligence and closing deliverables, including review of title, survey, zoning, environmental, permitting, and encumbrances in coordination with internal stakeholders

• Negotiates with outside parties on contractual issues and legal disputes

• Assists in training clients on legal issues

• Partners with the supply chain practice on procurement strategies, vendor contract structuring, supplier risk management, and regulatory compliance affecting supply chain operations

• Leads or supports transaction structuring and M&A activities, including real estate acquisitions and divestitures, due diligence, deal documentation, closing coordination, and post-closing integration matters

• Drafts, reviews, negotiates, and advises on confidentiality agreements and non-disclosure agreements in support of commercial, real estate, supply chain, transactional, and due diligence matters

• Coordinates cross-functionally with commercial team members to ensure consistent legal positions and streamlined advice to the business

Required Qualifications for Senior Counsel Position

• Juris Doctor Degree from an accredited law school

• Licensed to practice law in at least one state in the U.S. and a member in good standing with the state bar

• Minimum of 5+ years of experience, with meaningful exposure to at least two of the following: real estate transactions and land rights, supply chain/procurement, or M&A/transactional law

• Exemplary personal and professional integrity and business ethics

• Commitment to diversity and respect for others

• Experience with independent matter handling responsibility and outside counsel management

• Ability to advise senior leadership

• Ability to balance the legal issues of a matter or project with the goals of the business through the demonstration of strategic counse