Senior Legal Counsel

About the role

Gilbane Building Company is seeking an experienced in‑house construction attorney to serve as Senior Legal Counsel supporting the Mid‑Atlantic Division (Washington, DC/Arlington, Baltimore, Philadelphia, and New Jersey). This senior legal role serves as a trusted business partner to divisional and project leadership, providing strategic, practical legal counsel across all phases of the construction lifecycle. The position reports directly to the Senior Vice President, Deputy General Counsel and will be the primary legal advisor to the Mid‑Atlantic Division. Possible locations include Gilbane’s Arlington, Baltimore, or Philadelphia office.

Gilbane is a Top‑10 ENR Contractor, family‑owned with 45 offices, shaping communities since 1870. The firm is recognized for reputable construction management and is committed to delivering projects safely and on‑time, ranging from schools and labs to hospitals, corporate offices, and sports arenas.

Responsibilities

• Construction Contracts & Commercial Transactions: Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of agreements including owner/CM agreements (CMAR/CM‑at‑Risk, CM as Agent, GMP, Design‑Build), design consultant agreements, subcontracts, purchase orders, equipment rental/lease agreements, master supply agreements, NDAs, teaming and JV agreements, lease agreements, and professional services agreements. Structure, negotiate, and update contract templates, playbooks, and clause libraries to align with corporate standards and insurance/risk requirements.
• Procurement & Compliance: Support public and private sector procurement, bid protests, prequalification, and compliance with RFP/RFQ requirements, including small/diverse business participation.
• Claims, Dispute Avoidance & Resolution: Guide project teams on claim preservation, notice requirements, changes, delay/acceleration/disruption, differing site conditions, constructive changes, defective work, backcharges, and pass‑through claims. Manage pre‑dispute processes (issue escalation, negotiation, mediation, DRBs) and oversee outside counsel for litigation, arbitration, and surety matters. Handle lien and bond claims, subcontractor defaults/terminations, and recovery strategies. Develop practical protocols for claims documentation.
• Strategic Counseling & Business Partnership: Serve as a trusted advisor to division leadership on strategic business, operational, risk management, and project delivery matters. Provide practical legal guidance that supports business objectives while managing legal and commercial risk. Collaborate with operational leaders to develop scalable processes, best practices, and risk mitigation strategies.
• Risk Management, Safety, Training & Compliance: Partner with Risk/Insurance to ensure appropriate insurance strategies based on project risk profile. Counsel on licensing, permitting, mechanic’s lien/bond compliance, prevailing wage, certified payroll, and other public procurement rules. Collaborate with Safety on OSHA compliance, incident response, and post‑incident reviews. Lead training programs for project teams on contract compliance, claims preservation, documentation standards, and operational risk management. Support ethics/compliance initiatives.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited U.S. law school
• Active membership in good standing in at least one U.S. State Bar
• Ability to obtain in‑house registration or other required authorization in applicable jurisdictions, as necessary
• 8+ years of progressively responsible legal experience counseling businesses in the practice areas listed above, including at least 3 years of relevant in‑house experience
• Experience as in‑house counsel for a medium‑sized or large construction company, familiar with public and private contracting for institutional, commercial, residential, and developer projects
• Demonstrated ability to serve as a trusted advisor to field superintendents, project executives, and division leadership, balancing legal risk with operational challenges

Preferred Attributes

• Exceptional judgment and problem‑solving skills
• Strong negotiation and influence capabilities
• Effective communication with both legal and non‑legal stakeholders
• Self‑starter who thrives in a dynamic, fast‑paced environment
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and exercise sound judgment under tight deadlines

Travel

The role requires occasional travel, sometimes with short notice, estimated at approximately 25% of the employee’s time.

Pay

Salary ranges from $200,000.00 – $270,000.00 plus benefits and retirement program.

Benefits

Gilbane offers multi‑dimensional training opportunities through Gilbane University, enabling leadership and technical skill development. Employees work with an experienced team that provides daily learning of new industry skills.