Energy & 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.