Job Description

MOTIVA

Legal Department

May 2025

SENIOR COUNSEL

HOUSTON, TEXAS

Hawryluk Advisors has been retained exclusively by Motiva Enterprises LLC (“Motiva”), North America’s largest refinery, to find an 8+ year attorney with a strong background in sophisticated commercial contracts and energy trading for its Legal Department in Houston, Texas.

MOTIVA

Headquartered in Houston, Texas, Motiva refines, distributes and markets petroleum products throughout the Americas. The company’s Port Arthur Manufacturing Complex in Port Arthur, TX is comprised of North America’s largest refinery with a total throughput of 720,000 barrels per day, the world’s second largest base oil plant, and an integrated chemical plant. Under exclusive long-term brand licenses with Shell and Phillips 66 (for the 76® brand), Motiva’s commercial operations supply more than 12 billion gallons of fuel to customers annually. Motiva is wholly owned by Saudi Aramco, one of the world’s largest and most successful integrated energy and chemicals companies.

SENIOR COUNSEL

As Senior Counsel, you will provide legal support to Motiva’s logistics teams including marine, ground logistics, terminals, and pipelines. Additionally, you will support confirmations for marketing and trading of hydrocarbons, benzene and sulfur credits, RINs, and other related agreements. This role is responsible for managing the legal relationship with some of Motiva’s most significant commercial relationships. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in drafting and negotiating a wide range of complex corporate and commercial contracts. Occasional travel to Port Arthur, Texas may be required.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Each attorney in the Legal Department of Motiva has broad responsibility and autonomy over their day-to-day practice. Reporting directly to the Managing Counsel – Corporate and Commercial Contracts, your responsibilities will include the following:

*Providing high-level legal support to the commercial and operations organizations.

*Reviewing, drafting, negotiating, and advising in the administration of:

• Agreements related to land and marine logistics including truck and rail leases, pipeline throughput, storage, terminal, exchange, marine vessel spot and time charter parties, contracts of affreightment, and master transportation agreements.
• Joint general terms and conditions.
• Product purchase and sale agreements.
• Agreements related to benzene and sulfur credits and RINS.
• Transaction confirmations for marketing and trading hydrocarbons with a focus on crude, refined products, petrochemicals, and environmental products.
• Energy and industrial gas agreements including utility contracts.
• Master agreements, framework agreements, and side letter agreements.
• Inter-company agreements.
• Non-disclosure agreements.
• Such other commercial agreements as needed from time to time.

*Interfacing with various Motiva departments to ensure contracting activities and terms comply with company policies and procedures.

*Providing key strategic advice on existing and new customer / partner relationships and business initiatives.

*Identifying legal risks, sensitivities and potential problems, and proposing constructive and commercially realistic solutions to senior management.

*Advising cross-functional teams including Risk and Insurance, Credit, Finance, Tax, HSSE, Audit, and Compliance in support of individual projects.

*Maintaining and improving contract templates, approved responses, and standard procedures regarding contracts.

*Educating and training clients on relevant legal issues and contracting principles and negotiation.

*Assisting with statements of work, contract amendments, change orders, and vendor disputes.

*Interfacing regularly with commercial and trading teams and staying apprised of transaction status and related special conditions.

*Meeting tight deadlines and working under pressure in a dynamic environment with frequently changing requirements.

REQUIREMENTS

The successful candidate must have the following qualifications:

• At least 8 years of practice with a large law firm or company.

• J.D. from an accredited U.S. law school.

• Admitted to practice by the State Bar of Texas

Compensation is competitive and includes excellent benefits.

Note: This role is open to local candidates only, as relocation is not offered for those outside of commuting distance.

For adventurous individuals who are interested in working at one of the world's most successful companies, Motiva offers challenging and sophisticated opportunities for its in-house counsel.

Apply: opportunity@hawrylukadvisors.com

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