General Counsel - Design & Construction

The General Counsel serves as Cuningham’s chief legal advisor, providing strategic and practical legal guidance that supports the firm’s business operations, growth initiatives, and enterprise risk management across a national, multi-state professional services organization. This role partners closely with executive leadership and the Board of Directors to navigate complex legal, regulatory, and governance matters while enabling sound, informed business decisions aligned with Cuningham’s objectives and values.

This is a hybrid position. Candidates must be located within reasonable proximity to one of Cuningham’s offices and able to work in the office at least two days per week.

• Assess the firm’s risk andprovidecontinual risk management advice
• Train others in the firm in risk management and contracting strategies
• Report regularly to the Board of Director sand serve as a trusted advisor
• Act as corporate secretary;participate in all board meetings and manage meeting minutes
• Participate in and advise board committees as appropriate
• Research registration and licensure requirements associated with new geographic or typological markets
• Act as legal counselrepresentingthe firm
• Engage with and manage external legal counsel as needed
• Manage corporate insurance program
• Support corporate business registration and licensure processes
• Advise project teams on construction administration, payment, and other risk issues
• Facilitate shareholder voting
• Manage corporate stock buy/sell program
• Provide background information on new clientswhenadvisable
• Review and edit all proposals, contracts, and other legal documents
• Keep contract templates up-to date with latest best practices and in response to project issues
• Support facilities management and review leases and subleases
• Support accounting department with tax, audit, and valuation procedures
• Support HR with compliance and claims matters
• Support recruiting processes
• Engagewiththe industry and markets at large as a subject matter expert.
• Influence and lead internal programs to continually improve design best practices and outcomes.
• Advise on entry into international markets, including supporting entity formation, business structuring, and the negotiation and execution of contracts

• Juris Doctor (J.D.)from an ABA-accredited law school andadmission to at least one U.S. state bar, active and in good standing
• 8–12+ years of legal experiencewitha strong foundationinconstruction lawandgeneral corporate / business law
• Demonstrated experience supportingarchitects and professional services firms, preferably within
  
  AEC, construction, or real estateindustries
• Experience advisingsmall to mid-sized businessesonownership structures, shareholder matters, and ownership transition / buy-sell arrangements
• Proven ability to advise and supportboards of directorsand executive leadership
• Familiarity with Minnesota business lawand multi-state business operations
• Experience managing outside legal counseland serving as a strategic advisor to executive leadership
• Strong communication skills with the ability to educate non-legal stakeholders on contracts, risk, and compliance

$145,000 - $235,000 a year

Compensation provided is based on our national range which varies by work location and may also depend on accreditation, experience and responsibilities. Our talent management team can share more about the specific salary range for your location during the hiring process.

Compensation range updated 1/9/2026.

Benefits:
Cuningham offers a variety of benefits to employees including health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, an employee wellness program, life and disability insurance, 401k retirement savings plan, paid holidays, and paid time off.

Together, we create enduring experiences for a healthy world.

Whether we are celebrating at a Spirit hour, nurturing an equitable and just work environment, or delivering regenerative design solutions to restore natural and human systems, each exchange is an opportunity to create a better future and support the health of our talent and communities. Our values are simple and impact every aspect of our practice:

• Celebrate curiosity.
• Desi…