Legal Counsel

Job Title

Legal Counsel - Corporate

Department

Legal

Reporting to

Senior Counsel – Corporate

About
Lightsource bp

Lightsource bp is a global leader in the development and management of solar energy projects. We are a 50:50 joint venture with bp with a mission to help drive the world’s transition to low carbon energy.

With solar set to increase tenfold in the next 20 years, we are well-positioned to capitalize on this growth. By joining the Lightsource bp team, you will ‘be the change’ on the world’s energy transition to a more sustainable future.

We pride ourselves on our entrepreneurial spirit as we continue to push the boundaries of an ever-changing energy landscape. By choosing a career with us, you can expect a challenging and fulfilling role surrounded by people who are passionate and have brilliant ideas about sustainable technology, innovation and making the world a better place.

What You’ll do
(the role)

Summary

The legal team, with lawyers in London, US, Brazil and Australia, specialises in corporate, construction, energy, finance, commercial and property law in the renewable energy sector, providing support across all the units of the business and all jurisdictions.

The role provides an exciting opportunity for a lawyer within a dynamic and changing business in a growth industry.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Supporting the development, international and structured finance teams to negotiate corporate documentation (joint ventures/shareholder agreements, term sheets, share purchase agreements, asset purchase agreements, commercial contracts and NDAs) including for acquisitions/disposals of photovoltaic projects in the UK and international markets.
• Supporting the structured finance team with corporate reorganisations and structuring considerations for innovative financing arrangements.
• Drafting and negotiating ancillary corporate documentation and interpreting corporate governance requirements and Companies Act 2006 requirements.
• Assisting the Group General Counsel, Senior Legal Counsel - Corporate, Head of Compliance and colleagues in business teams with corporate governance requirements (general company law and internal shareholder arrangements) and the development of / compliance with internal policies and processes.
• Supporting on Group corporate matters including share buybacks, IP portfolio management, liaising with bp and reporting obligations.
• Supporting the company secretarial work for our global portfolio of companies, with assistance from others in the team.
• Supporting new market entry and joint ventures in new countries for LSbp, including incorporation of new companies, creation and transfer of business processes, managing local external legal, tax and other consultants and working closely with our business development teams.
• Liaising with all internal business teams including the Executive Team, HR, Finance, Structured Finance and Business Development and counselling the business partners on a wide range of legal topics, including undertaking training on legal concepts where necessary.
• Ensuring compliance with internal compliance framework and corporate approvals policies.

Opportunities will also arise:

• to supervise the legal team’s trainee solicitors and paralegals where appropriate; and
• to become involved in other areas of law where business needs arise.

Who we’re looking for

Knowledge

• Cross border transactional experience in the renewable energy and infrastructure sector;
• Experience instructing and managing external/local counsel;
• Familiarity with international corporate M&A transactions and joint ventures;
• Experience in drafting and negotiating relevant transaction documents; and
• Understanding of applicable regulatory and compliance areas.

General Skills

• Strong business acumen with ability to assess legal risk and commercial / practical considerations.
• Good technical drafting skills and familiarity with the documents and types of work covered in the ‘Duties and responsibilities’ section of this job description.
• LSbp places great value on equal employment opportunities. We are dedicated to quality, equality, and valuing diversity, and we welcome applications that reflect the diversity of the communities within which we work.

Experience

• Qualified lawyer at least 2-4 yearspost-qualification experience in the UK or a similar common law jurisdiction.
• Excellent academic background and experience gained in leading international / mid to top tier firm or similar in-house role.
  

Why you’ll make a great member of the team

Personal qualities

• Ability to deal confidently and build strong relations with senior business colleagues.
• Flexible attitude and the ability to multitask. Strong time management / prioritisation skills.
• Strong written, verbal communication and English skills.
• Helpful, hardworking approach and a team player.

Why you’ll want to work for us

Our company is a place where you can be yourself and grow; a place where your ideas and opinions matter.

Be you

We pride ourselves on being an inclusive community, where every individual is valued and treated with respect.

Be responsible

Our culture is driven by our core values. From operating safely to ensuring our solar projects are responsible and promote biodiversity.

Be recognized

Alongside a competitive salary, we offer a variety of benefits including annual bonus, retention bank, health insurance, pension and other local benefits.

Be inspired

Beyond your day-to-day working life at Lightsource bp, there’s a variety of initiatives that will contribute to your own personal development. Initiatives to get involved with including our charitable causes, supporting our solar honey project or our sustainability initiatives.

Our Core Values

Lightsource bp truly cares about creating a sustainable future through safe, responsible and meaningful low carbon energy projects. Our core values of Safety, Integrity, Respect, Sustainability and Drive are the guiding principles for everything we do.

https://www.lightsourcebp.com/careers/