Counsel - Aircraft Transactions

There’s never been a more exciting time to join United Airlines. We’re on a path towards becoming the best airline in the history of aviation. Our shared purpose – Connecting People, Uniting the World – is about more than getting people from one place to another. It also means that as a global company that operates in hundreds of locations around the world with millions of customers and tens of thousands of employees, we have a unique responsibility to uplift and provide opportunities in the places where we work, live and fly, and we can only do that with a truly diverse and inclusive workforce. And we’re growing – in the years ahead, we’ll hire tens of thousands of people across every area of the airline. Our careers include a competitive benefits package aimed at keeping you happy, healthy, and well-traveled. From employee-run "Business Resource Group" communities to world-class benefits like parental leave, 401k, and privileges like space available travel, United is truly a one-of-a-kind place to work. Are you ready to travel the world?

From airports to boardrooms, our Legal team provides advice and counsel on all aspects of the business, assessing legal risks and compliance, while our Ethics and Compliance team ensures that we run an ethically sound operation. Together, these teams help us make the best possible decisions for our airline, to run our business with integrity, ensuring our airline operates lawfully and ethically, creating a company we are all proud to work for.

Key Responsibilities:

The Counsel - Aircraft Transactions will lead the work of the Corporate Transactions group within the Legal Department in providing counsel, advice, and legal support to United's Fleet business group on their portfolio of proposed and existing aircraft and engine leases, purchase and sale agreements, and sale/leasebacks, as well as any related amendments, assignments, renewals, notices, and related documentation. The attorney who fills this position will be a member of a diverse and highly competent legal team, reporting to the Assistant General Counsel - Corporate Transactions.

• Execution and delivery of high-quality work product
• Provide counseling on any related amendments, assignments, renewals, notices, and related documentation
• Draft, review, analyze and negotiate Letter of Intent (LOI), aircraft and engine leases, purchase and sale agreements, and sale/leasebacks
• Provide practical, compliance and strategic legal advice and counsel to United's Fleet group business team on a variety of aircraft transaction matters as issues arise
• Strategically and in a cost-effective manner, manage and partner with outside counsel

United values diverse experiences, perspectives, and we encourage everyone who meets the minimum qualifications to apply. While having the “desired” qualifications make for a stronger candidate, we encourage applicants who may not feel they check ALL those boxes! We are always looking for individuals who will bring something new to the table!

What’s needed to succeed (Minimum Qualifications):

• Excellent written and verbal communication and presentation skills to influence employees at all levels in a matrix organization
• Successful completion of interview required to meet job qualification
• Reliable, punctual attendance is an essential function of the position
• Bar admission and active member in good standing in at least one state
• Must be a strategic problem solver with a proven ability to give practical, timely, clear, and accurate legal advice
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment, manage multiple projects simultaneously and effectively set priorities
• This role follows a hybrid scheduling model
• At least 5+ years of practice with a law firm or large multinational company with considerable experience supporting complex aircraft and engine transactions
• Excellent eye for business with the judgment and ability to advise on legal issues within the business context
• Excellent analytical skills and the ability to render persuasive, diplomatic, practical, creative, and legally compliant advice in a timely fashion
• Broad knowledge of aircraft and engine transactions of various types
• Proven ability to interact effectively with all levels of corporate management, including Senior Executive Leadership
• Juris Doctorate degree
• Excellent interpersonal skills and planning/organization abilities
• This role requires hands-on consultation of sophisticated transactions, and as such, being an effective negotiator with both counterparties and future business partners is required
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States for any employer without sponsorship

What will help you propel from the pack (Preferred Qualifications):

• Knowledge of the aviation/airline industry
• Knowledge of federal securities laws, aircraft purchase and sale agreements, fuel supply purchase agreements, loyalty, and revenue management technology service agreements, among others
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.
• Previous in-house airline experience

United Airlines is an equal opportunity employer. United Airlines recruits, employs, trains, compensates and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, physical ability, age, veteran status, and other protected status as required by applicable law. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform crucial job functions. Please contact [email protected] to request accommodation