Senior Counsel

Every day we deliver safe and secure energy to homes, communities, and businesses. We are there when people need us the most. We connect people to the energy they need for the lives they live. The pace of change in society and our industry is accelerating and our expertise and track record puts us in an unparalleled position to shape the sustainable future of our industry.

To be successful we must anticipate the needs of our customers, reducing the cost of energy delivery today and pioneering the flexible energy systems of tomorrow. This requires us to deliver on our promises and always look for new opportunities to grow, both ourselves and our business.

National Grid is seeking a Senior Counsel (NY Real Estate, Siting and Permitting). This role is located in Syracuse, NY, or Albany, NY, with hybrid working.

National Grid is seeking an in-house real estate attorney to work in the New York Real Estate, Siting and Permitting Practice Group, as part of the General Counsel function. The ideal candidate will have relevant experience as a practicing attorney, demonstrating strong analytical, research, and interpersonal skills, as well as persuasive oral and written communication capabilities. Working alongside more experienced members of the Practice Group, the attorney will benefit from dedicated mentorship while managing an increasing number of matters with limited or no supervision.

This role will provide commercial and transactional real estate support to our business partners and clients, including the acquisition and disposition of commercial real estate, advising on third-party property matters and disputes, and supporting company projects and initiatives impacting National Grid's property portfolio. This position is a full-time, hybrid position with reporting locations in either Syracuse or Albany.

Primary Responsibilities
* Acquisition and disposition of real estate, including preparation and negotiation of transaction documents, title and survey review, and other customary due diligence.
* Advice on third-party property matters, issues, and disputes involving commercial entities, governmental entities, railroads, and private parties.
* Support company projects and initiatives impacting National Grid's property portfolio.
* Interact effectively with internal cross-functional teams and external stakeholders in the public and private sector.
* Work with, manage, and oversee outside legal counsel.

Key Accountabilities
* Provide legal advice and counsel with respect to commercial real estate transactions and property matters to support business clients in achieving their objectives.
* Offer creative and practical legal approaches for the benefit of the business client, including with respect to real estate acquisitions, dispositions, and third-party property disputes.
* Draft, review, and negotiate transaction documents, including purchase and sale agreements, easements, leases, licenses, and related instruments.
* Perform research and legal analysis.
* Demonstrate the ability to anticipate obstacles and think ahead about next steps in real estate transactions and property matters.
* Manage legal matters efficiently and effectively, including those with strategic, financial, or reputational impact.
* Identify corporate risks; provide legal guidance to the business and work to develop appropriate mitigation measures.
* Establish credibility and confidence with management, business clients, and external stakeholders.
* Seek ways to drive greater efficiencies.
* Keep current with applicable laws, regulations, and trends affecting real estate and energy infrastructure.

* Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school.
* Admission to, and in good standing with, the New York State Bar.
* 3-5 years of experience in the practice of real estate law, either in a law firm, as in-house counsel, or with a governmental entity. Other relevant legal experience is a plus.
* Energy/utility company-related right-of-way or property management experience is a plus.
* Excellent written and oral communication skills.
* High personal standards of commitment and ethics.
* Strong sense of teamwork; ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders and on multidisciplinary teams.
* Commitment to the Company's corporate values including the advancement of inclusion and diversity principles.
* Highly proficient legal research and analytic skills; flexible decision making; initiative; and the ability to work independently.
* Ability to effectively identify complex legal problems and risks and advance commercially reasonable business solutions.
* Willingness to effectively engage senior management on increasingly complex legal decisions and outcomes and work collaboratively with the business.

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Recruiter: Michelle Roberts

Hiring Manager: Brian Mulcahy