Senior Attorney - Lead Counsel, Operations

Job Summary

Continental Resources, Inc. is seeking a Lead Counsel to serve as the primary attorney for an operations business unit. This role provides day-to-day guidance on all legal matters, including transactional work, commercial contracts, regulatory compliance, litigation, and risk management. The position requires daily interaction with operations, land, and other business functions. The ideal candidate will have a minimum of five (5) years of applicable legal experience with a solid foundation in oil and gas law, a proactive mindset, and the ability to deliver practical, commercially-sound legal advice.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Serve as Lead Counsel for an Operations Business Unit - Provide strategic legal counsel across all aspects of the business unit's operations, development, and commercial activities.
• Prepare, Review, and Negotiate Contracts - Prepare, review, negotiate, and execute upstream oil and gas agreements, including oil and gas leases, joint operating agreements, farmouts, purchase and sale agreements, surface use agreements, and master service agreements.
• Support Mergers, Acquisitions, and Divestitures - Provide legal support for asset-level transactions, including due diligence, deal structuring, negotiation of transaction documents, and post-closing integration.
• Manage and Oversee Litigation - Direct outside counsel on litigation, arbitration, and dispute resolution matters affecting the business unit, including case strategy, budgets, and settlement evaluation.
• Ensure Regulatory and Legal Compliance - Advise on compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations.
• Provide Risk Management Counsel - Identify and advise on legal and commercial risks in operations and transactions, and recommend practical approaches to minimize exposure.
• Collaborate Cross-Functionally - Work closely with other members of the legal team and with operations, engineering, land, exploration, finance, marketing, HSE, government affairs, and internal audit teams.
• Advise on Title and Land Matters - Partner with the land department on title issues, curative matters, right-of-way acquisitions, and surface and mineral ownership issues.
• Stay Current on Legal and Industry Developments - Monitor changes in oil and gas law, regulations, and industry trends and communicate relevant developments to stakeholders.
• Additional Duties - Perform additional duties as assigned.

Skills and Competencies

• Oil and Gas Legal Acumen - Strong working knowledge of upstream oil and gas law, including title, regulatory frameworks, and oil and gas marketing.
• Transactional and Contract Negotiation - Ability to draft, analyze, and negotiate complex commercial agreements with attention to risk allocation and business impact.
• Business Judgment - Skill in delivering legal advice that is commercially practical and aligned with business unit objectives.
• Litigation Management - Experience managing litigation, directing outside counsel, and making informed recommendations on strategy and settlement.
• Strong Communication Skills - Superior written and verbal skills, with the ability to distill complex legal concepts into clear, actionable guidance.
• Client Service Orientation - Demonstrated ability to build trust and credibility with internal clients through responsiveness and reliability.
• Analytical Thinking and Problem Solving - Capacity to identify legal issues quickly, evaluate options, and recommend well-reasoned solutions.
• Organizational Agility - Ability to manage a high volume of concurrent matters with competing deadlines and shifting priorities.
• Collaboration and Teamwork - Proven team player who works effectively within the legal team and cross-functionally.
• Integrity and Professionalism - Uncompromising commitment to ethical conduct, confidentiality, and professional discretion.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school with strong academic credentials.
• Minimum of five (5) years of legal experience with substantial exposure to oil and gas matters.
• Licensed member of a state bar in good standing, qualified to practice in-house in Oklahoma.
• Successful completion of a pre-employment background check and drug screening.

Preferred Qualifications

• In-house legal experience at an E&P or upstream energy company.
• Experience with regulatory proceedings and compliance.
• Familiarity with federal and state environmental regulations applicable to upstream operations.
• Experience supporting asset acquisitions, divestitures, or other upstream M&A transactions.
• Experience managing outside counsel relationships and associated budgets.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

• Prolonged sitting with some bending and stooping.
• Occasional lifting up to 25 pounds.
• Manual dexterity sufficient to operate a computer keyboard and standard office equipment.
• Occasional travel to field locations, courthouses, or other offices as needed.

Continental Resources, Inc. provides equal employment opportunities and access for all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other category protected by law.