Role Overview for Chief Legal Officer with a Public Energy Company – Houston, TX
JRG Partners is proud to conduct an exclusive executive search for a dynamic and strategic Chief Legal Officer (CLO) on behalf of our client, a prominent publicly-traded energy company headquartered in Houston, TX. As a key member of the executive leadership team, the CLO will report directly to the Chief Executive Officer and serve as the principal legal advisor to the company, its board of directors, and its senior management. This is a transformative opportunity to shape the legal and strategic direction of a major player in the evolving energy landscape.
The ideal candidate will be a seasoned legal executive with extensive experience in the energy sector, possessing a deep understanding of corporate governance, securities law, complex transactions, and regulatory compliance for a public company. You will be responsible for overseeing all legal affairs of the organization, including litigation, M&A, corporate finance, intellectual property, and risk management.
This role demands a leader with exceptional business acumen, sound judgment, and the ability to navigate complex legal challenges in a fast-paced, high-stakes environment. You will lead a dedicated team of in-house legal professionals and manage relationships with outside counsel to effectively mitigate risk and enable the company’s strategic growth objectives. Your counsel will be critical in guiding the company through an era of energy transition, ensuring legal and ethical integrity across all operations while fostering a culture of compliance and proactive risk management.
Key Responsibilities of Chief Legal Officer with a Public Energy Company – Houston, TX
Executive Leadership & Strategy
Serve as a strategic advisor to the CEO, Board of Directors, and executive team on all legal matters, providing critical counsel on business strategies, corporate development, and potential risks and opportunities.
Corporate Governance & Securities Compliance
Oversee all corporate governance matters, including board meetings, minutes, and corporate records. Ensure compliance with NYSE/NASDAQ listing standards, Sarbanes-Oxley, and other relevant regulations.
SEC Reporting
Oversee the preparation and review of all Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filings, including 10-Ks, 10-Qs, 8-Ks, proxy statements, and Section 16 filings, ensuring accuracy and timeliness.
Mergers, Acquisitions & Divestitures (M&A)
Lead the legal aspects of all M&A activities, from due diligence and negotiation to drafting definitive agreements and managing post-closing integration. Provide strategic legal advice on corporate finance transactions, including debt and equity offerings.
Commercial Transactions
Draft, review, and negotiate a wide variety of complex commercial agreements, including master service agreements, joint venture agreements, supply and offtake contracts, and other critical business contracts.
Litigation & Dispute Resolution
Manage and direct the company’s litigation portfolio, including commercial disputes, employment claims, and regulatory inquiries. Develop strategies to resolve disputes efficiently and cost-effectively, and oversee the selection and management of outside litigation counsel.
Regulatory & Environmental Compliance
Provide expert guidance on the complex web of federal, state, and local regulations governing the energy industry, including matters related to FERC, EPA, and other regulatory bodies. Oversee environmental, health, and safety (EH&S) legal compliance.
Risk Management
Develop and implement a comprehensive risk management framework. Identify, assess, and mitigate legal and business risks across the organization. Oversee the company’s insurance programs.
Ethics & Compliance Program
Lead the company’s ethics and compliance program, including the development and implementation of policies and procedures, employee training, and internal investigations. Foster a culture of integrity and ethical conduct.
Intellectual Property
Manage the company’s intellectual property portfolio, including trademarks, patents, and trade secrets, ensuring that the company’s innovations are protected.
Labor & Employment
Provide counsel on a wide range of labor and employment matters, including executive compensation, employee relations, benefits, and compliance with employment laws.
Department Leadership
Lead, mentor, and develop the in-house legal team. Manage the legal department’s budget and effectively manage relationships and costs associated with outside counsel.
Requirements for the Chief Legal Officer with a Public Energy Company – Houston, TX
Education
Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an ABA-accredited, top-tier law school.
Licensure
Must be a member in good standing of at least one U.S. State Bar, with the ability to become licensed or otherwise authorized to practice in Texas.
Experience
A minimum of 15-20 years of progressive legal experience, with a combination of major law firm training and significant in-house counsel experience. At least 5 years of experience in a senior legal leadership role (e.g., General Counsel, Deputy GC) is required.
Public Company Expertise
Demonstrable, hands-on experience advising a publicly-traded company is mandatory. This includes deep expertise in SEC reporting requirements, corporate governance, and Sarbanes-Oxley compliance.
Energy Industry Acumen
Substantial legal experience within the energy sector (oil & gas, power generation, renewables, or utilities) is strongly preferred. Familiarity with the industry’s unique operational, commercial, and regulatory challenges is critical.
Transactional Leadership
Proven track record leading the legal aspects of sophisticated M&A, joint ventures, and corporate finance transactions.
Leadership & Management Skills
Exceptional leadership and management abilities with a proven history of building, mentoring, and leading high-performing legal teams.
Business Acumen
Strong business-oriented approach to problem-solving. Must be able to translate complex legal issues into practical, actionable advice for business leaders.
Communication Skills
Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex legal concepts clearly and concisely to a variety of audiences, including the Board of Directors, executive management, and external stakeholders.
Integrity & Judgment
Impeccable professional ethics, integrity, and a demonstrated ability to exercise sound, independent judgment in high-pressure situations.
Benefits & Perks Offered
Our client is committed to attracting and retaining top-tier executive talent and offers a highly competitive compensation and benefits package, including:
Executive Compensation
A competitive base salary complemented by a significant annual cash bonus and a substantial long-term incentive plan (stock options, RSUs).
Comprehensive Health & Wellness
Premium medical, dental, and vision insurance for you and your dependents, along with robust wellness programs and an Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
Retirement Savings
A generous 401(k) plan with a strong company match and potential profit-sharing contributions.
Paid Time Off
A flexible and generous paid time off (PTO) policy, including vacation, sick leave, and paid company holidays.
Professional Development
Support for continuing legal education (CLE), professional association memberships, and other development opportunities.
Relocation Assistance
A comprehensive relocation package is available for the successful candidate if required.
Additional Perks
Executive-level perquisites such as a car allowance, club memberships, and financial planning services may be included.
How to Apply
JRG Partners is the exclusive retained search firm for this confidential opportunity. To express your interest in this pivotal Chief Legal Officer role, please submit your resume and a cover letter detailing your relevant experience. All inquiries and applications will be handled with the utmost discretion and confidentiality. We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.
To learn more about our expertise in placing top-tier legal professionals, please visit our Legal & Compliance practice area page.
