Corporate Counsel, Construction

ACCO Engineered Systems is one of the largest mechanical contractors in the country, specializing in the design, fabrication, installation, maintenance, and service of commercial and industrial HVAC, refrigeration, plumbing, process piping, and building automation systems. With a portfolio including projects like the California Academy of Sciences, L.A. Live, and San Francisco 49ers Stadium, ACCO combines 80+ years of industry leadership with a dynamic, family-oriented culture as a 100% employee-owned ESOP.

About the role

The Corporate Counsel, Construction will protect the business by identifying, administering, and managing legal matters with a focus on construction law. This role provides guidance to minimize risks related to contract performance, claims, collections, and statutory remedies, while collaborating with internal teams and external counsel to draft, review, and negotiate complex construction agreements. The position also supports corporate governance, board of directors, and entity management matters in a hybrid schedule based in the local office.

Responsibilities

• Advise and counsel Project Managers and internal teams on construction law issues, contract performance, and project delivery strategies to optimize the business's legal position.
• Supervise construction litigation and affirmative collection matters, utilizing statutory remedies to preserve payment rights, and coordinate with outside counsel or claims consultants.
• Serve as the primary subject matter expert for construction law, managing outside counsel selection, performance, billing efficiency, and alignment with litigation strategy.
• Draft, review, and negotiate various construction agreements, change orders, master agreements, and vendor contracts while developing and maintaining standard forms and templates.
• Prepare concise briefing documents, legal research opinions, and discovery responses, and serve as the corporate representative at hearings, arbitrations, or trials.
• Support the General Counsel and Corporate Secretary with corporate governance, entity management, and the preparation of Board of Directors and Committee materials.
• Utilize software to track, analyze, and report on construction law metrics, developing KPIs to manage litigation budgets and recommend risk mitigation strategies.
• Provide training on construction contracts and law principles to internal departments, respond to business-records subpoenas, and apply lessons learned to improve business processes.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an ABA-approved law school.
• Active member in good standing of the State Bar of California.
• Minimum of 10 years of substantive experience as a practicing construction attorney with civil litigation experience.
• Deep understanding of construction law, including statutory remedies (mechanics' liens, payment bond claims) and contract performance.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct quick, accurate legal research on matters outside the attorney’s primary area of expertise.
• Excellent drafting and writing skills for complex contracts, policies, and legal documents.
• Strong decision-making ability with a high sense of ownership, accountability, and a results-oriented mindset.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively collaborate and present to all levels of the organization.
• Proven proficiency with legal and information technology tools (e.g., Gmail, Google Drive, Smartsheet, Box, MS Office, Westlaw, OneLegal).
• Strong leadership characteristics and the ability to objectively articulate and defend business approaches.

Desired: Prior in-house legal department experience and direct construction industry experience.

Skills

• Proactivity/Initiative: Recognizes what needs to be done and accomplishes it with minimal supervision.
• Perseverance: Shows wherewithal to fight for difficult goals despite challenges and to bounce back from adversity.
• Motivation/Dedication: Commits to excellence in pursuing unselfish goals, initiates action with collective goals, and shows personal humility.
• Technical Curiosity/Willingness to Learn: Seeks out new experiences, knowledge, and candid feedback; demonstrates openness to learning and change.
• Insight: Ability to gather and make sense of information that suggests new possibilities.
• Engagement: Uses emotion and logic to communicate a persuasive vision and connect with people.
• People Skills: Is approachable, gains mutual trust and respect, and actively seeks to understand other perspectives.
• Communication: Fosters open, honest, candid, and respectful communication; effectively assesses and defines issues in a timely manner.
• Teamwork: Works effectively toward common goals by supporting, encouraging, and sharing information in an authentic manner.
• Big Picture: Understands and contributes to organizational strategy while developing a personal vision for career success.
• Problem-Solver: Identifies, analyzes, and solves problems in support of personnel, group, department, or organizational objectives.
• Execution: Translates vision into action, removes barriers, and demonstrates effective time management and accountability.
• Professionalism: Respectfully challenges the status quo, accepts feedback, and leads by example with ethical leadership.

Schedule

This is an exempt, hybrid position with workdays scheduled Monday through Friday. Typical work hours fall between 7:00 am and 6:00 pm, as scheduled with the supervisor. Occasional work outside of regular hours may be necessary to meet business needs.

Travel is required 0-10% of the time to other office locations.

Physical Demands

• Must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.
• Prolonged sitting.
• Frequently required to reach with hands and arms.
• Occasionally required to stand, walk, stoop, kneel, or crouch.

Pay

Competitive annual salary range of $180,000 to $235,000. Actual compensation is determined by factors unique to each candidate, including job-related skills, depth of experience, certifications, relevant education or training, and specific work location.