Job Description
Job DescriptionEnergy & Infrastructure – EPC Associate Attorney
Locations: Austin, TX | Boston, MA | Charlotte, NC | Chicago, IL | Houston, TX (Preferred) | Irvine (Orange County), CA | Los Angeles, CA | Miami, FL | New York, NY | Portland, OR | Sacramento, CA | San Francisco, CA | Santa Monica, CA | Seattle, WA | Silicon Valley (Menlo Park), CA | Washington, DC
Salary: $235,000–$420,000
Direct Counsel is seeking an Energy & Infrastructure – EPC Associate Attorney to join a leading Am Law firm'snationally recognized Energy & Infrastructure practice. This opportunity is ideal for an associate with 2–7+ years of experience in construction law and energy-related projects. The successful candidate will advise clients on complex engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) matters involving large-scale domestic and international energy and infrastructure projects across conventional energy, renewable energy, and nuclear sectors.
Responsibilities
- Draft, review, and negotiate engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) agreements for major energy and infrastructure projects.
- Prepare and negotiate operation and maintenance (O&M), procurement, supply, construction, and other project-related agreements.
- Advise clients on all phases of project development, construction, and project execution.
- Represent owners, developers, contractors, lenders, and other project participants in sophisticated domestic and international transactions.
- Support projects involving conventional oil and gas, renewable energy, nuclear power, and other infrastructure developments.
- Identify and mitigate commercial and legal risks throughout the project lifecycle.
- Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams on project financing, development, and commercial transactions.
- Provide practical legal advice to clients regarding contract administration and project delivery strategies.
Qualifications
- J.D. from an accredited law school.
- Active bar admission in the jurisdiction where the attorney will practice.
- 2–7+ years of construction law experience, preferably involving energy or infrastructure projects.
- Experience drafting and negotiating EPC, O&M, procurement, or other complex construction agreements.
- Experience with conventional oil and gas, renewable energy, nuclear energy, or other large-scale infrastructure projects is strongly preferred.
- Excellent drafting, negotiation, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
- Outstanding written and verbal communication abilities.
- Strong academic credentials.
- Highly motivated with the ability to thrive in a collaborative, fast-paced transactional practice.
- Preference for candidates based in Houston, although qualified candidates in other listed offices will be considered.
Compensation & Benefits
- Competitive base salary of $235,000–$420,000, depending on experience and qualifications.
- Eligibility for annual discretionary merit bonuses.
- Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and disability coverage.
- 401(k) retirement plan with firm contributions.
- Flexible Time Off (FTO) program and paid holidays.
- Industry-leading parental leave, family care, elder care, and pet care benefits.
- Health Savings Account (HSA) contributions and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), where applicable.
- Robust wellness and mental health resources.
- Exceptional opportunities to work on some of the world's largest and most innovative energy and infrastructure projects while receiving outstanding mentorship, professional development, and long-term career advancement.
