First Solar is leading the world’s sustainable energy future. We are an exciting work environment in one of the most important industries of the 21st century. First Solar is a leader in the development and manufacturing of thin film solar modules used in grid-connected solar power plants. Our cost-advantaged solar technology boasts the smallest carbon footprint, lowest life cycle water use, and fastest energy payback in the industry. We are delivering solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges including climate change, energy security, water scarcity, and the unsustainable growing consumption of natural resources. At First Solar, you will feel valued, appreciated and challenged, working side-by-side with some of the top minds in the industry. You will be regularly updated on the company’s goals, progress and achievements. First Solar maintains a culture where all associates work together to lead the world’s sustainable energy future. We believe in employee engagement, collaboration, well-being and productivity for all generations and emerging work styles.We’re changing the world. Now, let us start with yours. First Solar is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. First Solar’s policy is not to discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability or any other basis protected by application country, federal, state or local laws; the company prohibits harassment of applicants or employees based on any of these protected categories.
*This can be a remote opportunity for candidates in the listed following states: AZ, CA, CO, CT, FL, IL, MD, MI, MN, MO, NV, NJ, NY, NC, OH, OK, OR, PA, SC, TN, TX, UT, VA, and WI.
Basic Job Functions:
Serve as corporate counsel for parent company, US and Latin American subsidiaries, including advising on securities law matters, subsidiary management, and general corporate matters.
Prepare, review, and negotiate agreements and legal documents for U.S. corporate and commercial transactions. Serve as a legal subject matter expert supporting First Solar’s transaction execution team. As a point of day-to-day responsibility within the legal department, partner with members of various business groups to assist in the company’s effort to sell products and services pursuant to various agreement types and to perform under executed contracts.
Experience:
Five or more years at a law firm or recognized in-house legal department specializing in (i) corporate and securities work, and (ii) negotiation and documentation of corporate, commercial and financing transactions, including agreements for sale of goods and services, warranties, joint ventures and financings.
Education:
Bachelor’s degree
J.D. from nationally recognized law school
Active U.S. bar membership
Required Skills/Competencies:
Experience advising publicly-traded companies on securities law matters, including advising on ’34 Act disclosures, Section 16 reporting, preparation and filing of proxy statements, employee benefit registration matters, and review of board presentations
Experience with general corporate matters, including formation and management of corporate subsidiaries, preparation and review of board resolutions, bylaws, and LLC operating agreements, and entity management on hCue or similar services
Experience preparing, reviewing and negotiating commercial contracts including sale of goods and services, equipment and materials supply agreements, warranty terms and conditions, non-disclosure agreements, and related documentation
Experience preparing, reviewing, and negotiating contracts and legal documents for corporate transactions, including acquisitions, JVs, and debt and equity financings, and related term sheets and letters of intent
Ability to successfully interact with colleagues from various functional areas
Strong reading, writing and presentation skills, able to communicate complex legal concepts in a user-friendly manner
Team and cross-functional player, with the ability to transition between a lead and support role depending on the circumstances
Highly organized multi-tasker capable of handling multiple projects at once
Enjoys occasional travel
Proficient use of all Microsoft Office suite programs
Essential Responsibilities:
Serve as corporate and securities counsel for parent company and its US and Latin American subsidiaries, with responsibility for:
preparation, review and filing of ‘34 Act disclosures, Section 16 reports, and proxy statements,
handling employee benefit registration matters,
preparation and review of board presentations and resolutions
formation and management of corporate subsidiaries,
preparation and review of resolutions, bylaws, and LLC operating agreements, and
entity formation and management
assistance with investor relations matters
Keep up-to-date with current shareholder service policies and positions (e.g., ISS and Glass Lewis) and those of leading institutional shareholders
Review, negotiate and document corporate transactions including joint ventures, corporate investments and acquisitions, LLC operating agreements, corporate bylaws, officer’s certificates and other corporate transaction documents
Prepare, review, and negotiate legal agreements and documents, including module sale agreements, warranty terms and conditions, services agreements, non-disclosure agreements, contract amendments, assignment agreements, lien waivers, estoppels, parent guarantees, letters of credit, and related documents
Review and respond to legal claims from contract counterparties and advise business leaders on risks related to any claims or potential claims
Lead new country entrance initiatives, including understanding doing business requirements, entity formation matters, applicable laws and licensing and tailoring commercial offerings to the local market and legal requirements
Support contract review and negotiation for the sale of First Solar’s products and services in Latin America
Serve as the legal subject matter expert for the First Solar transaction execution team, support team members with all legal requests, prepare and provide training and continuous improvement efforts
Support the Chief Compliance Officer on domestic compliance matters (including drafting policies and communications and implementing aspects of the Company’s global compliance program)
Form respectful, strong working relationships with existing and potential customers and their legal advisors
Maintain up-to-date knowledge of all terms and conditions, transaction status and open issues
Interact with members of various other functional areas who will be impacted by the transaction, including accounting, treasury, tax and subject matter specialists within and outside the legal department
Support risk committee decision-making by clearly and concisely summarizing transaction structures and risks
Manage outside corporate and transaction counsel, including providing drafting guidance, educating counsel on company offerings and risk standards, reviewing all work product and diligently monitoring legal spend
Assist in developing and maintaining knowledge data base for contract management and post-contract execution; support development of legal document library for the legal department; and enable new commercial offerings through development and updating of form documents
Commit to sustaining a first class in-house legal department, including by providing timely and clear legal advice to business, operational and functional counterparts, being supportive, solution-driven and team-focused and providing assistance to fellow members of the legal group
Other duties as assigned
Job description subject to change at any time
Reporting Relationships:
Reports to Chief Counsel - Business Development Americas
Works directly with General Counsel on securities law matters
Supervises corporate paralegal or legal specialist
Travel:
Occasional travel
US Physical Requirements:
Office Physical Requirements:
All positions in our office require interaction with people and technology while either standing or sitting. In order to best service our customers, internal and external, all associates must be able to communicate face-to-face and on the phone with or without reasonable accommodation. First Solar is committed to compliance with its obligations under all applicable state and federal laws prohibiting employment discrimination. In keeping with this commitment, it attempts to reasonably accommodate applicants and employees in accordance with the requirements of the disability discrimination laws. It also invites individuals with disabilities to participate in a good faith, interactive process to identify reasonable accommodations that can be made without imposing an undue hardship.
Equal Opportunity Employer Statement: First Solar is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values and respects the importance of a diverse and inclusive workforce. It is the policy of the company to recruit, hire, train and promote persons in all job titles without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity. We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a driving force in the success of our company.
