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Senior Legal Counsel – Renewable Energy | In-House | Chicago, IL

Reports To: General Counsel

Company: SunVest Solar, LLC®

Location: Chicago, IL (Onsite)

Employment Type: Full-Time

Compensation: Competitive Base Salary ($170k–$205k) + Discretionary Bonus + Comprehensive Benefits

About SunVest:

SunVest Solar, LLC (“SunVest”) is a rapidly growing, Chicago-based renewable energy company focused on distributed generation solar power and battery energy storage systems (BESS). With more than 2 gigawatts of development projects nationwide and a growing operational portfolio expected to exceed 200 MW by 2026, SunVest is shaping the future of clean energy in the United States.

As a fully integrated renewable energy platform, SunVest develops, constructs, finances, owns, and operates solar and storage assets across the country. This integrated model allows our in-house legal team to engage across the entire project lifecycle—from site control and development through construction, project finance, tax equity, and long-term asset management.

Position Overview:

SunVest’s Legal team is responsible for providing comprehensive legal support across the organization, ensuring the company’s operations comply with applicable laws and regulations, and facilitating our ambitious growth plans through strategic legal counsel.

As the Senior Legal Counsel, you will be responsible for leading and supporting key legal aspects of SunVest’s project finance and development activities and will act as a strategic partner to the business. You will manage outside counsel efficiently to mitigate risk and reduce cost of capital. Your expertise in project finance negotiations will be pivotal to SunVest’s ongoing success, contributing to our sustainable growth strategy and the development and execution of renewable energy projects nationwide.

Key Responsibilities:

Project Finance Negotiations

  • Lead and manage the structuring, negotiation, and execution of project finance transactions, including debt and tax equity financing, to support SunVest’s solar development projects
  • Ensure all financing arrangements comply with applicable laws and regulations

Real Estate Agreements

  • Negotiate and draft real estate agreements, including land leases, easements, and site control agreements, to support solar project development

Commercial Agreements

  • Oversee negotiation and execution of commercial agreements, including supply and purchase agreements, engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contracts, and power purchase agreements (PPAs)

Risk Mitigation

  • Identify and mitigate legal risks related to project finance, real estate, and commercial transactions
  • Provide practical legal solutions to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements

Stakeholder Coordination

  • Collaborate with Development, Finance, and Operations teams to understand project and business needs and deliver effective legal support

External Counsel Management

  • Manage relationships with external legal counsel to ensure efficient, high-quality, and cost-effective legal services
  • Oversee legal budgets related to project-specific matters to optimize legal spend and reduce cost of capital

Regulatory Compliance

  • Monitor and advise on regulatory matters impacting renewable energy projects, including ITCs, beginning of construction requirements, tariffs, and Foreign Entity of Concern (FEOC) considerations

Qualifications

  • Minimum of 4 years of legal experience with significant exposure to project finance and renewable energy transactions
  • Prior experience at a top-tier law firm (e.g., AmLaw 100) preferred.
  • Proven ability to collaborate cross-functionally and act as a trusted business partner
  • Strong communication skills, with the ability to explain complex legal issues to non-legal stakeholders
  • Highly organized, adaptable, and solutions-oriented
  • Active bar admission in good standing

Compensation & Benefits

  • Competitive base salary commensurate with experience
  • Bonus opportunities
  • 401(k) with employer match
  • Health, vision, and dental insurance
  • Paid time off including company holidays
  • Opportunity for advancement within a fast-growing renewable energy company

Join SunVest in leading the charge to cultivate access to renewable energy for America!

SunVest 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, disability, or protected veteran status.

Estimated salary range: $215k–$240k (final compensation is based on experience, qualifications, and business needs).

We do not accept unsolicited agency resumes and are not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.