Legal Counsel Jobs in Houston, TX
Legal Counsel jobs in Houston are concentrated in the Energy Corridor, Downtown, and Midtown, driven by the city's dominant oil and gas sector alongside healthcare systems, financial services, and large corporate headquarters. Employers actively hiring include XRI Water, SLB, and Wood. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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Department: Legal
Location: Houston, TX
Full Time On Site Role
FSLA Status: Exempt
Purpose:
XRI is seeking a business-minded attorney to serve as Legal Counsel. Reporting to the General Counsel, this position will provide legal support across a broad range of commercial, corporate, and operational matters. The Legal Counsel will partner closely with business leaders to provide practical legal advice, negotiate and draft commercial agreements, manage legal risk, and support the Company's strategic objectives.
This role is ideal for an attorney with 5+ of experience in commercial transactions and general corporate law who can independently manage day-to-day legal matters while collaborating with the General Counsel on more complex legal, regulatory, and corporate initiatives. The ideal candidate is a practical, collaborative attorney with strong business acumen, excellent judgment, and the ability to balance legal risk with operational needs.
Role/Responsibilities:
Commercial Contracts
- Draft, review, negotiate, and manage a broad range of commercial agreements.
- Master Service Agreements
- Supply and Procurement Agreements
- Non-Disclosure Agreements
- Software and Technology Agreements
- Consulting and Professional Services Agreements
- Easements, Rights-of-Way, and Surface Use Agreements
- EPC and Construction agreements
- Advise internal stakeholders on contract interpretation, risk allocation, indemnity provisions, insurance requirements, and dispute resolution provisions.
- Develop and maintain contract templates and contracting best practices.
Claims, Litigation, & Dispute Management
- Assist with management of claims, disputes, and pre-litigation matters.
- Coordinate with General Counsel and outside counsel on active litigation and legal proceedings.
- Support internal investigations and legal responses to regulatory inquiries.
Land & Real Estate
- Provide legal support to the Land team on easements, right-of-way, surface use agreements, and other real estate matters.
- Assist in resolving landowner issues and disputes in collaboration with internal stakeholders.
Intellectual Property
- Coordinate with outside counsel, as needed, to protect XRI’s intellectual property through patent filings and prosecutions, and filing for trademark and copyright protections.
Qualifications:
Required Qualifications
- Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school.
- Licensed and in good standing to practice law in Texas.
- 5+ years of legal experience.
- Experience drafting, reviewing, and negotiating contracts.
- Working knowledge of contract law, risk management, and business operations.
- Strong analytical and negotiation skills.
- Responsible and able to take ownership of a portfolio of work.
- The ability to work directly with clients in a kind and patient manner.
- The ability to teach and explain complicated concepts.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- Organized and detail oriented.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience supporting energy, oilfield services, water midstream, infrastructure, environmental, industrial, or related industries.
- In-house legal experience supporting commercial operations.
- Experience advising cross-functional business teams on legal and commercial matters.
- Ability to travel when needed.
Key Competencies
- Business Acumen
Commercial Contract Negotiation
Physical Requirements:
- Able to stand and walk on concrete and uneven surfaces
- Occasionally lift, carry, push, or pull up to 20 pounds
- Frequent exposure to inclement weather, bright lights, loud noises, dust, gas, and/or fumes
- Ability to safely operate a motor vehicle as needed for business purposes
Affirmative Action/EEO Statement
XRI is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants and employees are considered for positions and are evaluated without regard to mental or physical disability, race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, genetic information, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, marital status, or any other protected Federal, State/Province or Local status unrelated to the performance of the work involved.
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Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Consulting & Professional Services
Legal Counsel Jobs in Houston: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a legal counsel job in Houston?
Focus your search on Houston's energy, healthcare, and petrochemical sectors, which generate the highest volume of in-house legal roles in the city. The Energy Corridor and Downtown central business district are where most corporate legal teams sit. Candidates with transactional, regulatory, or contract experience in oil and gas or life sciences stand out locally. Networking through the Houston Bar Association and targeting Fortune 500 headquarters based here gives you a concrete edge.
Which companies hire legal counsels in Houston?
Houston legal counsel roles are posted by XRI Water, SLB, and Wood and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Houston's employer mix skews heavily toward energy majors, integrated health systems, and large financial institutions, all of which maintain substantial in-house legal departments.
Are there remote legal counsel jobs in Houston?
Yes, though remote availability is moderate since in-house legal counsel roles often require close collaboration with business units, executives, and outside counsel. About 36% of legal counsel openings tied to Houston are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, with hybrid arrangements more common than fully remote. Contract review, compliance advisory, and transactional support work tends to be the most amenable to remote days in Houston-based roles.
How can I get a legal counsel job in Houston with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path in Houston is a staff attorney or junior counsel role at a mid-size energy company or regional healthcare system, both of which hire attorneys earlier in their careers than large corporate law departments. Contract specialist and legal operations analyst positions at Houston-based companies also serve as common stepping stones. Clerking for a Harris County or Southern District of Texas judge builds local credibility quickly, and the Houston Bar Association's young lawyers section connects you directly to hiring managers.
Which industries hire the most legal counsels in Houston?
Houston legal counsel roles concentrate in Consulting & Professional Services, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Houston's position as the global capital of the energy industry, combined with its major medical center complex and growing financial services presence, makes those sectors the primary engines of in-house legal hiring across the metro.
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