Counsel, Land, Title & Permitting

The Counsel, Land, Title & Permitting will be responsible for supporting land acquisition, title review, permitting, and regulatory compliance across Fervo’s geothermal development portfolio.  This position will play a critical role in supporting Fervo’s geothermal development and operations through supporting strategic land acquisition, permitting, regulatory compliance, and commercial legal support. This role will report directly to our Vice President, General Counsel.

Responsibilities

• Cross-Functional Coordination: Work closely with project managers, engineers, land agents, and external counsel to ensure land-related decisions are consistent with operational goals and financing structures.
• Document Negotiation and Drafting: Draft, review, and negotiate geothermal leases, title curative documents, surface use agreements, ROWs, unitization agreements, joint development agreements, joint operating agreements, purchase and sale agreements, farm-in/farm-out agreements, and lease swaps. Advise on compliance and enforceability of contract provisions.
• Land Acquisition and Structuring: Provide legal support for (i) land acquisition across federal, state, tribal, and private lands, (ii) structuring leases, easements, purchase agreements, and other land-related instruments to support geothermal development, and (iii) royalty, marketing, and fluid supply structures. Support internal justifications and commercial terms for acquisitions, joint ventures, and infrastructure alignments.
• Title and Due Diligence Oversight: Lead review and analysis of surface and mineral title across multiple jurisdictions. Oversee curative actions and manage outside title consultants or landmen as needed.
• Security Packages & Title Documentation: Coordinate and execute recordable security instruments in Utah and Nevada, including deeds of trust, fixture filings, and other collateral documents. Oversee title analysis and curative measures to ensure valid and marketable interests for project financing.
• Permitting, Regulatory Strategy, & Compliance: Provide legal advice for land-use permitting, tribal, state, or local siting permits, and coordination with permitting consultants and agencies. Collaborate closely with stakeholders on leasing, permitting, and land-use matters.
• Dispute Resolution: Handle and resolve lease disputes with landowners, government entities, and third parties. Engage in risk mitigation strategies in active or potential conflicts.
• Government & Stakeholder Engagement: Advise on permitting and regulatory processes at the federal and state levels, including BLM leasing, state trust land nominations, and coordination with tribal or local agencies. Support the Company in discussions with landowners, state agencies, and local communities.
• Due Diligence for Project Finance: Collaborate with project finance and development teams to evaluate legal risk in land-based transactions.  Support land-related due diligence to support project financings, joint ventures, and acquisitions. Prepare legal summaries and risk assessments for transaction teams and outside counsel.
• Tracking and Reporting: Support Land Administration in maintaining clear documentation of land status, lease obligations, title curative progress, and compliance deadlines, including support of internal reporting on legal risks, obligations, and approvals.

Required Qualification

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school
• Active membership in good standing in Utah (CO, ID, NM, NV a plus)
• Minimum of 5 years of experience practicing law related energy or natural resources law (geothermal, oil & gas, mining, or real estate), including experience with title review and transactional structuring
• Substantial experience with permitting, land use, and title matters in Utah and Nevada, including NEPA and related state frameworks.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Western U.S. Land law, including state and federal lands, and experience handling complex land transactions, including easements, acquisitions, mineral rights, or energy leases
• Experience working with Utah School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration (SITLA), BLM, state land offices and other tribal or local agencies
• Strong familiarity with project development, especially in renewable energy (geothermal a plus)
• Experience with project financing of infrastructure projects, risk evaluation, or structuring complex commercial transactions is a plus
• Strong understanding of contract law, corporate law, and compliance frameworks
• Ability to communicate clearly with legal and non-legal stakeholders and manage relationships with regulators, landowners, and external counsel
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills, with a proven ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams
• Self-starter with ability to manage multiple priorities independently in a fast-paced environment
• Strong problem-solving skills and a pragmatic approach to legal issues
• Experience with environmental permitting or NEPA processes is a plus.
• MBA, CPA, accounting background, is a plus.

Location

Fervo Energy is headquartered in Houston, TX with satellite offices in the Bay Area, CA, Golden, CO and Reno, NV. This position will be eligible for some hybrid work flexibility, but regular in-office presence at a Fervo office will be required.