Senior Legal Counsel
Counsel, Senior
Job Code
P0094
Classification
Exempt
Reports To
EVP, General Counsel, and Corporate Secretary
Position Summary
The Counsel, Snr, reports to the EVP, General Counsel, and Corporate Secretary and will primarily support the Company's well services business, C&J Well Services (CJWS). This position provides legal advice and services as an advanced specialist, primarily to senior management in legal matters of substantial importance to the operations of CJWS. Acts as a recognized authority and chief advisor that provides expert legal services in a business environment, maintaining an advanced understanding of each company function and department. To be successful, this position will also exhibit Berry's core values of Stronger Together, Own it, Breed Excellence, Do the Right Thing, and Responsible.
Key Accountabilities
- Negotiates, writes and executes agreements, contracts, and other legal documents
- Researches and evaluates different risk factors regarding business decisions and operations; reviews recommendations with senior management on sensitive or high-profile issues having potential for significant strategic impact.
- Applies effective risk management techniques and offer proactive advice on possible legal issues.
- Collaborates with management to devise efficient defense strategies.
- Provides clarification on legal language or specifications to everyone in the organization
- Manages outside legal counsel/consultants, including collaborating with outside counsel to defend the organization's rights in contract settlements, negotiations, and litigation.
- Responsible for influencing and negotiating, promoting ideas persuasively, working through conflicts in a positive way, negotiating win/win solutions and projecting a positive image, using an appropriate level of discretion, and consistently demonstrating company values.
- Deals with complex matters with multiple stakeholders and forces
- Communicates and negotiates with external parties (regulators, external counsel, public authority, etc.), creating relations of trust.
- Consistently inspires trust: acts as a trusted advisor, establishes open, trusting relationships, treats all individuals fairly and with respect, and maintains high standards of integrity and work ethic.
- Strategizes, develops, and implements strategies to meet legal department goals.
- Empowers others by creating a climate in the legal department that fosters excellence, nurtures commitment to a shared vision and shared values, and appropriately rewards and recognizes individuals and teams.
- Consistently remains attuned to legal and business trends that could impact the Company, and proactively and effectively communicates this information throughout the legal department and Company
- Assists in complex legal matters, including working with management in the creation of defense strategies and/or proactive strategies regarding major legal actions.
- Provides legal counsel and advice on a broad range of legal topics.
- Coordinates legal research and investigation on claims and defenses; develops oral and written advice and presents recommendations to management.
- Develops policies and procedures to ensure legal compliance.
- Complies with all the Company's Safety and Environmental policies, practices, and programs. Takes corrective action within training limitations. Escalates as necessary.
- Participates in and adheres to all training programs designed to enhance HSE knowledge. Safety standards and improve job performance.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Education, Certificates, Licenses
- JD from an ABA-accredited law school.
- State bar admission.
Experience
- 5+ years of experience actively practicing law.
- Prior in-house experience preferred.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Critical:
- Demonstrated coordination of complex and multi-faceted legal matters/projects.
- Ability to work independently with little or no supervision
- Strong interpersonal and presentation skills, along with the ability to communicate effectively with others at all levels of the organization
- Strong negotiating skills with both legal and financial/commercial issues
Required:
- High-level decision-making and problem-solving skills.
- Experience in matters budgeting and management.
- Experience working with clients on complex legal matters, creating practical, out-of-the-box solutions, and acting as a team lead on specific projects.
- Ability to exhibit confidence and is recognized by others as an expert in multiple areas.
- Ability to work with limited supervision and guidance.
- Ability to cultivate strong relationships with key personnel across the Company.
- Ability to communicate complex legal concepts and issues clearly and concisely.
- Communication skills, both verbally and in writing.
- Demonstrate judgment with the ability to evaluate risk.
- Ability to apply knowledge and experience when addressing legal and business issues.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
- Able to format large legal documents, including creating and utilizing styles, auto paragraph numbering, generating tables of content, using headers and footers, and preparing backlines.
Desired:
- Experience practicing law in-house.
Work Environment
- Primarily office work environment.
- Routine work involves common office activities during a typical 9-hour day such as standing, sitting, walking, typing, and twisting as necessary.
- May be required to occasionally lift up to 25 pounds.
- Must follow all company safety policies, including when visiting field locations.
This job description is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of duties nor account for all abilities required to perform the job. It is a general description of the nature of the position.
Berry Petroleum, LLC. is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.