Construction Counsel

Essential Functions

• Draft, review, and negotiate subcontracts, supplier agreements, NDAs, and client contracts to ensure proper risk allocation and alignment with company standards.
• Identify and evaluate legal and contractual risks during project setup; provide guidance to mitigate exposure before execution.
• Support development and improvement of standard contract templates, legal processes, and internal controls to drive consistency and efficiency.
• Partner with project teams to manage contract administration throughout the project lifecycle, including change orders, claims preparation, and dispute support.
• Aid in dispute resolution strategies, including coordination with outside counsel on litigation, arbitration, and other proceedings.
• Provide ongoing, business-oriented legal guidance to operations and leadership on contractual obligations, risk exposure, and day-to-day project issues.
• Coverage of final payment and open change orders 30 days before job completion and obtaining final payment within 60 days of job completion.

Insurance / Compliance

• Coordinate with internal teams, brokers, and insurers on claims, coverage issues, and surety-related matters to protect company interests.
• Ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and internal policies across all projects.

Legal Operations / Training

• Support management of outside counsel, including matter tracking, document coordination, and oversight of assigned legal matters.
• Aid in training project teams and operational staff on contract fundamentals, risk awareness, and industry best practices.

Experience and Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school preferred.
• Active bar admission in at least one U.S. jurisdiction preferred.
• Minimum of 3-5 years of legal experience, preferably in construction.
• Experience drafting and negotiating contracts; exposure to construction claims or disputes is a plus.
• Familiarity with insurance, surety, and risk management concepts preferred.
• Proven ability to work cross-functionally with operations and business teams.
• Experience managing outside counsel and legal budgets preferred.
• Must be able to travel on an as needed basis.

Key Competencies

• Practical, solutions-oriented legal judgment.
• Strong drafting and issue-spotting skills.
• Effective communication with both legal and non-legal stakeholders.
• Organized, detail-oriented, and responsive.