The Senior Attorney provides legal advice and direction on complex matters for assigned global programs and strategies including, but not limited to, Impact Finance and Markets, Tackle Climate Change and Policy and Public Funding, with a focus on climate and carbon-related matters. The Senior Attorney works with client teams to design, structure and implement complex projects, including transaction negotiation, corporate entity structuring and governance, carbon credit generation and carbon credit sales. The role will support the development and growth of a growing portfolio at TNC, with the opportunity to provide embedded support on legal, business and strategic matters. The Senior Attorney may also support other global transactions with for-profits, NGOs and sovereigns, including but not limited to impact investing projects led by TNC's NatureVest team. The Senior Attorney ensures that transactions and activities are legally sound and consistent with the Conservancy’s mission, authority, policies, and procedures. They apply strong analytical and risk management skills to serve organizational needs efficiently and effectively and clearly articulate complex legal concepts, including questions of first impression, and options to client teams. The Senior Attorney works within the Impact Legal Team and the broader Corporate Services Legal Team and may also support other functions, including advising on corporate governance matters for TNC subsidiaries.
The Senior Attorney will build relationships across the Conservancy using their ability to clearly communicate complex legal concepts to non-lawyers to facilitate transactions.
The Senior Attorney will provide legal advice and transactional support for global teams, including teams working on carbon markets, climate initiatives, global conservation transactions, and related activities. This role will focus on structuring, drafting, and negotiating agreements and transactional documents to implement complex carbon and climate‑related transactions, including finance agreement, carbon credit generation and sales, and carbon offtake and pre‑payment agreements, as well as supporting global transactions with for-profit entities, NGOs, sovereign and quasi-sovereign counterparties including drafting and review of other commercial and philanthropic agreements.
The Senior Attorney will work closely with multidisciplinary client teams to support the structuring and implementation of complex projects, including advising on corporate entity structuring, governance, and management issues for global programs, subsidiaries, and affiliated entities. The role may also support other global transactions involving for‑profit entities, NGOs, and sovereign or quasi‑sovereign counterparties.
The Senior Attorney will ensure that all transactions and activities are legally sound and consistent with the Conservancy’s mission, authority, policies, and procedures. They will apply strong analytical judgment, complex transactional, and risk‑management skills to serve organizational needs efficiently and effectively and will clearly articulate complex and novel legal issues, including questions of first impression, to non‑lawyer stakeholders with professionalism and humility.
The Senior Attorney will build strong, collaborative relationships across the Conservancy and will use their ability to communicate complex legal concepts clearly and practically to facilitate high‑value transactions and organizational decision‑making.
Structurally, the Senior Attorney will work within the Corporate Services Legal Team and may also support other functions across the Conservancy, including advising on corporate governance matters for TNC subsidiaries and affiliated entities. The attorney will be part of a specialized team of attorneys and paralegals doing impact-related transactional work.
This is a remote role based in the United States, with approximately 10% of time available for work‑related travel. Optional workspaces at local TNC offices may be available depending on location.
Juris Doctorate or equivalent and license to practice law in at least one United States jurisdiction.
Five (5) years relevant legal experience, including significant experience drafting and negotiating complex agreements.
Strong corporate transactional background, including demonstrated experience in corporate structuring and corporate governance.
In-house experience and/or law firm experience advising sophisticated clients and senior management with a global presence.
Demonstrated ability to work closely as part of a team handling multiple projects and transactions concurrently.
Sound business and deal sense.
Experience developing, directing, managing multiple projects and implementing strategic program goals.
Carbon markets and/or climate experience is preferred, such as working with carbon projects, carbon-related regulations, carbon offtake & pre-payment agreements, and different carbon credit methodologies.
Familiarity with carbon regulations in multiple jurisdictions.
Experience working with tax-exempt organizations, including on tax and funding matters.
Experience with engaging and collaborating with outside counsel, including country-specific local counsel.
Experience working across cultures and cultural sensitivity.
Flexibility and collegiality.
This position may be based in any country where TNC has an established entity, taking into consideration legal restrictions, such as non-national ratios and immigration processing times. For U.S. based applicants only, the starting pay range for this position is generally within the range of $150,000-$200,000 for annual base salary and is based on location, qualifications, specific skills, and experience. This range only applies to candidates whose country of employment is the USA. For all other applicants, pay ranges will be in local currency, the pay range will be based on the local labor market, and not tied to the above pay range. Your geographic location will be confirmed during the recruitment and used to determine your actual pay range. Additionally, for all applicants, actual pay will fall within a range based on a variety of factors including, for example, the candidate’s qualifications, specific skills, and experience.
Who We Are:The Nature Conservancy’s mission is to protect the lands and waters upon which all life depends. As a science-based organization, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that we can create a world in which people and nature thrive. We’re rooted in our mission and guided by our values, which include respect for all people, communities, and cultures. Whether it’s career development, flexible schedules, or a rewarding mission, there’s many reasons to love life inside TNC. Want a better insight to TNC? Check out our TNC Talent playlist on YouTube to hear stories from staff or visit Glassdoor.
One goal is to cultivate an inclusive work environment so that all our colleagues around the globe feel a sense of belonging and that their unique contributions to our mission are valued. In addition to the requirements in our job postings, we recognize that people come with talent and experiences outside of a job and consider each applicant’s unique experience. Please apply – we’d love to hear from you. To quote a popular saying at TNC, “you’ll join for the mission, and stay for the people.”
What We Bring:Since 1951, TNC has been doing work you can believe in. Through grassroots action, we have grown from a small non-profit into one of the most effective and wide-reaching environmental organizations in the world. Thanks to more than 1 million members, over 400 scientists, and the dedicated efforts of our diverse staff and partners, we impact conservation around the world!
TNC offers a competitive, comprehensive benefits package including health care benefits, flexible spending accounts, a 401(k) plan with an 8% employer match, parental leave, accrued paid time off, life insurance, disability coverage, employee assistance program, other life and work well-being benefits. Learn more about our Benefits and Perks here.
We’re proud to offer a flexible work environment that supports of the health and well-being of the people we employ.
Our recruiting process includes a rolling interview process to ensure we engage applicants in a timely manner. This means we may review applications in the order in which they are received. Once a strong candidate pool is identified, the role will be unposted. The timeline may vary depending on the expressed interest in the role, so we highly encourage candidates to apply as soon as possible.
Employees must submit their application by logging into Workday and applying via the Jobs Hub.
The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our commitment to equal employment opportunity includes the recognition that our conservation mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of people of all backgrounds, beliefs, and culture. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization is a priority, and we encourage applicants from all cultures, races, colors, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military, protected veteran status or other status protected by law.
The successful applicant must meet the requirements of The Nature Conservancy's background screening process.
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TNC is committed to offering accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application process. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please send a note to [email protected] with Request for Accommodation in the subject line.
