Corporate Counsel, Part-Time

Overview

This part-time corporate counsel role is with an early-stage energy infrastructure company focused on developing small and medium-scale battery energy storage and microgrid infrastructure primarily in New York State and the broader Northeast. The organization partners with property owners and communities to bring distributed energy projects online, aiming to modernize and decarbonize the grid.

The role involves working closely with the business on contracts, commercial decisions, and legal matters related to energy regulation, utility programs, compliance, and project development in a regulated market. The position is designed to be a durable, long-term part-time internal role with potential for growth.

Responsibilities

• Take over and improve contract work currently handled internally, including drafting, reviewing, and negotiating various commercial agreements such as real estate, procurement, vendor, service provider, equipment supply, development-related, NDAs, purchase orders, and engagement letters
• Help the team understand legal risks and commercial tradeoffs aligned with the business stage and practical realities
• Improve and maintain form documents to increase efficiency and quality
• Utilize AI and legal technology for contract review, drafting, research support, and workflow improvements
• Manage relationships with outside counsel, engaging specialist expertise efficiently
• Identify, track, and ensure compliance with applicable legal obligations
• Support business objectives adjacent to legal scope, including navigating energy regulations, utility programs, tariff and revenue program analysis, permitting, development processes, and risk allocation
• Shape weekly priorities to focus on highest-leverage tasks within the agreed part-time schedule

Requirements

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree and active bar admission in good standing in New York, or active admission in another U.S. jurisdiction with eligibility and willingness to register promptly as in-house counsel in New York and satisfy any comparable authorization required where legal services are performed
• Minimum of 5 years of legal experience, including meaningful experience drafting and negotiating commercial agreements directly with counterparties
• In-house legal experience is strongly preferred
• Experience in energy, infrastructure, real estate, construction, project finance, regulated industries, startups, or operating businesses is helpful but not required
• Active use of AI and modern tools to enhance legal and business work while applying independent judgment and verification
• Interest in a durable, long-term part-time role with a commitment to learning the business deeply for practical, context-aware legal work

Preferred Qualifications

• Practical commercial generalist mindset capable of distinguishing when deep legal analysis is required versus providing sensible, timely answers
• Comfortable handling both senior-level and hands-on legal tasks
• Willingness to address problems across the business where legal judgment is valuable

Compensation & Benefits

• Part-time salary range: $85,000 to $130,000 per year, based on agreed weekly hours and experience
• Expected time commitment: 15-20 hours per week, to be agreed in advance
• Employment model: W-2 part-time salaried employee
• Outside work disclosure required to avoid conflicts of interest, confidentiality breaches, or availability issues
• Statutory benefits required by law (such as paid sick leave and applicable state paid-leave programs) will be provided based on work location
• No company-sponsored health insurance expected due to part-time status
• Additional paid time off or benefits depend on final schedule and offer terms

Schedule

• Flexible schedule with a regular weekly cadence
• Not purely as-needed; requires consistent engagement to address ongoing legal and business needs
• Regular baseline schedule with availability spread across most of the week
• Specific days and hours can shift by mutual agreement to accommodate projects or personal commitments

Location

• Remote eligible
• Organization is based in lower Manhattan, New York City
• Most work focuses on New York State and the broader Northeast
• Occasional in-person collaboration opportunities available but not required

Additional Information

• Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States and provide in-house legal services in applicable jurisdictions
• Equal opportunity employer committed to non-discrimination based on legally protected characteristics
• No placement fees paid to recruiters or agencies without prior written engagement