Company Overview
Come grow with us! We are One Rayonier , a team that works together to create value by prioritizing safety, challenging the status quo, giving back to our communities, and driving innovation through continuous learning. With nearly 100 years of experience, we’re still discovering new ways to make lives better with our trees, our land, and — our most important resource — our people .
At Rayonier, we strive to create an employee experience where you feel valued and proud to be part of our team. We foster a respectful, inclusive and collaborative environment that celebrates your unique talents and perspectives. Experience the Rayonier difference: We’re big enough to offer exciting career paths, but small enough for you to know your colleagues by name. Come join a team that empowers you to make a difference!
The Counsel or Senior Counsel, Forestry , will report to the Assistant General Counsel, Forestry and will provide advice and counsel to forest resources and land-based solutions businesses. This includes responsibility for commercial activities, litigation, real estate transactions and land use matters.
Primary Responsibilities
- Serve as counsel to the forestry business regarding legal matters in assigned geography.
- Provide legal support to the land-based solutions businesses, including minerals, pipelines, hunting and recreation, solar, communication towers, and carbon projects.
- Draft, review and negotiate contracts and other documents to be used by the business units and work closely with management to structure business transactions, including acquisitions, dispositions and ventures.
- Review and negotiate company corporate procurement contracts to mitigate risk and support operational needs.
- Provide litigation support for business units and coordinate with Assistant General Counsel and outside counsel, as applicable, to ensure alignment with company objectives.
- Assist environmental and real estate personnel on issues relating to land management and real estate development, including wetland delineation, mitigation and permitting.
- Assist in training management and clients on compliance with applicable law.
- Assist with implementing the Company’s compliance program with respect to the businesses.
- Help manage outside counsel and other legal consultants (and their budgets).
Required Qualifications
- B.A. or B.S. undergraduate degree and J.D. degree from a respected law school with indicia of academic achievement, and admission to the bar of at least one state (Florida or Georgia would be preferred but not required for hire).
- The ideal candidate will have at least 3 years of law firm or in-house legal experience, preferably with exposure to the forestry, real estate, renewable energy or land use sectors.
- Ability to manage outside counsel and work collaboratively with business teams.
- Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills, be detail oriented, able to prioritize work and multi-task in a busy legal office, meet deadlines, be an excellent communicator (both verbal and written), and be capable of working independently with little direct supervision.
- Strong work ethic, show initiative (i.e., a self-starter), be a team player with excellent interpersonal skills.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality within a strictly confidential environment.
- Strong Microsoft Word experience, familiar with Microsoft Excel, and ready, willing and able to learn new or unfamiliar technology resources (e.g., Gemini, Legal Tracker and Contract Management Software).
- Must be willing to work in the Atlanta, Georgia office at least 3 days per week.
