At Haynes and Boone, our people are the driving force behind our success. Because we value the role every individual plays in how we deliver exceptional legal services, we hire people who will contribute to our professional reputation, enhance client relationships and share in our success.
Haynes and Boone has been doing business in Houston for more than 30 years - consistently providing value to our clients in the local community, the U.S., and internationally. Our lawyers help major corporate clients grow and thrive in this energetic city, which has major connections to Latin America, Europe and Asia. Our Houston office focuses on energy, private equity, technology, real estate, intellectual property, environmental, business litigation, appeals, bankruptcy and restructuring, labor and employment, employee benefits and executive compensation, finance, tax, securities, mergers and acquisitions, and public and international law. We believe our people are the driving force behind our success in Houston. Because we value the role every individual plays in delivering exceptional legal services, we hire people who will contribute to our professional reputation, enhance client relationships. and share in our success. We are committed to having a diverse workforce that reflects our communities, and we seek highly motivated lawyers and staff who value our culture of respect and teamwork.
This staff-level exempt position, under the direct supervision of the attorneys, is engaged in executing and supervising title due diligence projects in connection with energy financing transactions and oil and gas acquisition transactions. The candidate will work closely with other landmen within the land department as well as attorneys within the firm. The candidate will also correspond regularly with the firm's clients as well as other landmen and/or attorneys on the other side of such transactions. The candidate will be required to handle and manage the recording of documents in the county real property records and governmental regulatory offices, perform and supervise title and lien and encumbrance searches of the applicable public records and prepare written title reports and correspondence regarding title matters. The successful candidate will work out of the firm's downtown Houston office.
Essential Duties- Assist our attorneys in coordination and management of the title due diligence review process for energy transactions (financings and oil and gas acquisitions), including review of title documents and material contracts.
- Review reserve reports delivered in connection with energy financing transactions: prepare mortgage/title matching schedule to ascertain percentage of mortgage and title coverage.
- Assist with reviewing, revising, and negotiating oil & gas contracts.
- Direct title and lien searches (County Records, UCC, Federal and State).
- Assist in the preparation of property descriptions and property exhibits to mortgages, conveyances, and other real property documents.
- Assist in document preparation for lending and acquisition/divestitures of oil and gas assets, including preparation and responsibility for distributing and tracking receipt of consents, prep right waivers and elections.
- Assist in preparation of Closing Checklists.
- Assist attorneys at Closings (i.e., preparation of execution sets, closing room organization, document execution, assembly, notarization, and organization, closing binders).
- Prepare, manage, and maintain digital recording schedules and digital recording binders to insure proper and timely recordation of liens, assignments and other public record documents.
- Manage digital recording binder of recorded instruments from public recording offices and closing binder distribution.
- Prepare updates to recording and closing binders in connection with mortgage releases and other updates.
- Manage and execute public record filing projects (including, where available, e-filing): Assemble documents (i.e., signature pages, exhibits and schedules); Prepare document recording instructions; and Calculate recording fees, requisition firm checks in proper amounts and proper payees.
Other DutiesPerform related duties as assigned.
Reporting RelationshipThe Professional Landman reports directly to the Energy Section Head and indirectly to assigned attorneys.
QualificationsKnowledge/Experience
The Professional Landman must have 2-5 years of related industry experience. Position requires in-depth working knowledge in producing and non-producing properties, including fee, state and federal lands. Individual must demonstrate understanding of title review and curative, joint operating agreements, pooling agreements, division orders, property management, lease records and delay rental obligations.
Skills
Individual must be organized, self-motivated, and have excellent verbal and written communication skills and interpersonal skills. Individual must be able to multi-task, prioritize, and work both individually as well as in a team environment. Position requires strong analytical skills and resourcefulness with leadership qualities.
Education
Bachelor's degree (PLM preferred but not required)
Physical DemandsMust be able to move around the office up to 15% of the time to make copies, file, etc.; Remains stationary at least 85% of the time. This position operates computers and other office productivity machines (e.g., copiers, printer, etc.) on a regular basis.; Occasionally required to move documents or files weighing up to 15 lbs.; This position requires constant communication and exchange of information with the Firm attorneys, clients and staff; This position must be able to inspect and observe information on a computer screen at least 90% of the time.
Working ConditionsOffice environment. Hybrid work schedule. Moderate travel.
