Senior Legal Counsel, Construction

Job Description

The Senior Legal Counsel provides legal advice, guidance, and strategic direction to management of the firm and its subsidiaries, including the sales and delivery (i.e., project management). This role is focused on supporting a global architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) business, with primary emphasis on construction-related matters and dispute/litigation management in an in-house setting. The Senior Legal Counsel is expected to bring substantial in-house experience handling construction claims and litigation, and to serve as a key partner to project and business leadership.

The Senior Legal Counsel may oversee and direct the use and activities of outside counsel acting on behalf of the firm and reports directly to the General Counsel.

Essential

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

Contracts & Project Support

* Develops, drafts, reviews, and negotiates a wide range of contracts, including professional services agreements, design-build/EPC contracts, construction contracts, subcontracts, joint venture and teaming agreements, NDAs, and procurement agreements.

* Advises project teams on contract interpretation and risk allocation throughout the project life cycle, including change management, claims preservation, and close-out.

* Supports project delivery strategies (e.g., design-bid-build, design-build, EPC, PPP/P3, CM/CM-at-risk) and advises on standard of care, warranties, limitation of liability, indemnities, and insurance requirements.

* Proactively identifies construction-related risks and proposes practical, business-oriented solutions grounded in significant prior in-house experience.

Claims, Litigation, and Dispute Resolution

* Leads and manages the firm's construction and commercial claims, disputes, and lawsuits as a core responsibility, including matters involving delay, disruption, productivity, differing site conditions, design errors/omissions, terminations, and payment disputes.

* Develops and executes litigation and dispute resolution strategies (mediation, arbitration, litigation, and other ADR), partnering closely with business leadership and project teams, with a strong focus on aligning legal strategy with business objectives.

* Serves as the primary in-house point of contact for active disputes, overseeing case assessment, reserves, settlement strategy, and reporting to senior leadership.

* Selects, instructs, and manages outside counsel; oversees budgets, strategy, and outcomes in litigation and arbitration matters, ensuring cost-effective and high-quality representation.

* Guides preservation of evidence, internal fact development, and documentation to support or defend claims, and develops tools and playbooks to improve claims handling across the organization.

Risk Management & Compliance

* Assists in the planning, development, and implementation of a firm-wide risk management program focused on the unique risks of the AEC/construction industry, including lessons learned from litigation and disputes.

* Consults with departments throughout the firm regarding legal issues, including legal principles, risk-benefit analysis, compliance requirements, and best practices for risk mitigation on projects and in operations.

* Supports compliance programs related to anti-corruption, trade controls/sanctions, government contracting, health and safety, environmental matters, and other regulatory requirements relevant to a global AEC business.

Corporate Governance & Strategic Support

* Assists in general corporate legal matters, including corporate entity maintenance, delegations of authority, and internal policies and procedures.

* Provides and supports training programs on legal and risk-related topics, including contract fundamentals, claims documentation, dispute avoidance, ethics, health and safety, and compliance-drawing on practical, in-house litigation and construction experience.

Other

* Performs other duties as required to support the legal needs of a global, project-based AEC organization.

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Employment Type

Regular

Minimum Qualifications

* Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school.

* Active license to practice law in the state of employment.

* Minimum of 8 years of related experience.

Domestic and/or international travel may be required. The frequency of travel is contingent on specific duties, responsibilities, and the essential functions of the position, which may vary depending on workload and project demands. Equivalent additional directly related experience will be considered in lieu of a degree.

Preferred Qualifications

* Substantial legal experience in the AEC, construction, engineering, or infrastructure industry, including meaningful in-house experience is strongly preferred.

* Prior in-house counsel experience for a construction, engineering, or infrastructure company, with direct responsibility for managing construction litigation and claims.

* Experience with public sector procurement, government contracts, or major infrastructure projects (domestic or…