In-House Commercial & Government Financing Counsel
Job Description
In-House Commercial & Government Financing Counsel
In-House Attorney / On-Site / Full-Time / Permanent Placement
Latitude is seeking an experienced In-House Commercial & Government Financing Counsel - a permanent, full-time, in-house position with a long-established specialty finance company in the western suburbs of Chicago.
The company finances equipment and infrastructure projects for federal, state, municipal, not-for-profit, and commercial customers, originating through a national network of contractors and funding through institutional investors. Its core programs include Energy Savings Performance Contracts (ESPCs), Utility Energy Service Contracts (UESCs), tax-exempt municipal lease purchase programs, equipment lease purchase and capital finance leases, and note and security agreements.
The attorney selected will work directly with senior leadership and will own the documentation side of that business: drafting, reviewing, and negotiating the lease, purchase, and financing agreements that sit beneath ESPC and related energy, infrastructure, and equipment transactions, together with the assignment, security, and funding documents that move those contracts to investors. The role also carries general corporate work - commercial and vendor agreements, corporate governance, and regulatory compliance.
This is a strong fit for a business-minded transactional lawyer with a foundation in commercial contracts, secured lending, leasing, or banking who is intellectually curious and eager to build real expertise in a specialized financing market. Direct ESPC, government contracting, or equipment finance experience is highly desirable but not required; the company recognizes the specialized nature of its business and is committed to providing substantial training, mentorship, and resources to the attorney selected. The position offers immediate ownership of sophisticated transactional work, direct exposure to executive leadership, and meaningful room to grow with the business.
Minimum Requirements for the In-House Commercial & Government Financing Counsel
• J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school
• Active license to practice law in Illinois, or eligibility to practice in Illinois as in-house counsel
• 5+ years of experience practicing corporate, commercial transactional, finance, banking, or a closely related area of law
• Demonstrated experience drafting, reviewing, and negotiating commercial agreements, financing documents, or other sophisticated business contracts
• Strong command of corporate legal principles, contractual risk allocation, and commercial transactions
• Ability to understand complex, multi-party business arrangements, identify legal and commercial risk, and deliver practical, business-oriented solutions
• Excellent analytical, legal research, drafting, and negotiation skills, with exceptional attention to detail
• Intellectual curiosity, adaptability, initiative, and a demonstrated willingness to learn new industries, financial structures, and regulatory frameworks
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work directly with senior executives, business development professionals, contractors, and investors
• Ability and willingness to work full-time, on-site in the western suburbs of Chicago
• Outstanding professional references
Preferred Qualifications
• Experience with equipment leasing, lease purchase or capital finance leases, secured lending, structured finance, or project finance
• Experience with Energy Savings Performance Contracts, Utility Energy Service Contracts, PACE financing, power purchase agreements, or other energy and infrastructure financing structures
• Familiarity with government contracting and federal procurement regulations (FAR), including financing arrangements involving federal agencies and state, municipal, and "on-behalf-of" issuers
• Working knowledge of Uniform Commercial Code Articles 2A and 9, security interests, perfection, and related financing documentation
• Familiarity with tax-exempt municipal lease purchase documentation, non-appropriation provisions, and related authorizing requirements
• Experience with the assignment of contract receivables and payment streams to institutional investors, including consents to assignment and the Assignment of Claims Act
• Experience with corporate governance, regulatory compliance, vendor agreements, or commercial risk management
• Experience supporting high-value commercial transactions and working directly with business leaders, lenders, investors, and other transaction participants
Key Responsibilities
Transaction Documentation (primary focus)
• Draft, review, and negotiate the contract leasing and purchase agreements underlying ESPC, UESC, and related energy and infrastructure financing transactions
• Prepare and negotiate equipment lease purchase agreements, capital finance leases, rental agreements, note and security agreements, and tax-exempt municipal lease documentation
• Support the structuring, negotiation, and execution of financing transactions involving federal, state, municipal, not-for-profit, and commercial customers
• Prepare and negotiate assignment, funding, and security documentation in connection with the placement of transactions with institutional investors
• Review and interpret applicable federal procurement requirements and contract provisions affecting government financing transactions
Commercial, Corporate & Compliance
• Draft, review, and negotiate commercial agreements, vendor contracts, and other corporate legal documentation
• Advise senior leadership and internal stakeholders on contractual obligations, transaction structures, legal risk, and regulatory considerations
• Support corporate governance, regulatory compliance, and general corporate legal matters
• Assist with dispute resolution, collections, and litigation matters, directing and coordinating with outside counsel as appropriate
Business Partnership & Process
• Collaborate with business development professionals, contractors, financial institutions, and other transaction participants to facilitate deal execution
• Support the legal and contractual aspects of contractor and customer relationships and new business opportunities
• Develop command of the company's established financing programs while supporting expansion into new markets and increasingly sophisticated transactions
• Work with senior leadership to improve documentation practices, strengthen internal processes, and support continued growth of the business
Position Details of the In-House Commercial & Government Financing Counsel
• Type of role: Permanent Placement, In-House
• Schedule: Full-Time, Monday-Friday
• Location: On-site, Chicagoland (western suburbs)
• Anticipated Start: As soon as possible
• Compensation: $120,000-$190,000 annually, commensurate with experience, qualifications, and credentials, with flexibility for candidates with substantial directly relevant experience
• Benefits: Comprehensive employee benefits offered by the hiring company
• Career Growth: Significant opportunity for professional development, specialized training, and increased responsibility as the company's legal function and financing activities continue to expand
Confidentiality
Latitude will not disclose your identity or propose you to prospective clients without your prior consent. Candidates selected for further consideration will be contacted.
Only qualified applicants should apply.
About Latitude
Latitude offers life-changing engagements and permanent positions with companies and law firms to outstanding attorneys and legal professionals.
Permanent Positions
Great attorneys and legal professionals who are seeking permanent positions choose to work with Latitude because of our deep market knowledge, career advocacy, and extensive client base. Our own practice experience and client relationships enable us to effectively tailor our candidate proposals to the specific strengths and interpersonal attributes that matter most to our clients and to match candidates with opportunities that will be most fulfilling to them.
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