Corporate Counsel

At JH Kelly
, we’re seeking a Corporate Counsel to serve as a practical, business-oriented legal partner to the Executive Vice President/General Counsel and operational teams. This role is intended for a lawyer who is not merely technically proficient, but who is skilled at identifying risk, offering clear options, and helping the business move forward with sound, workable solutions.

The Corporate Counsel will support a broad range of legal and risk matters affecting a multi-state mechanical construction and industrial services business, including contract review and negotiation, claims and dispute management, labor and employment support, compliance, insurance/risk coordination, and strategic business initiatives. The successful candidate will be comfortable operating in a fast-paced environment, partnering directly with the Executive Vice President/General Counsel, project leaders, HR, fleet, operations, and finance, and delivering concise, actionable solutions.

Celebrating over a century of excellence, JH Kelly is a fourth-generation, family‑owned construction powerhouse known for tackling complex commercial and heavy industrial projects. With offices in Vancouver, Longview, Seattle, Bellingham, WA, and Milwaukie, OR, we’re an industry leader fueled by an award‑winning team committed to safety, quality, and a dynamic, tight‑knit culture. Learn more about our story at

Salary Range: $160,000 - $180,000 annually (DOE), FLSA exempt.

• Comprehensive Medical/Vision/Rx – Dental/Ortho Coverage
  : JH Kelly pays 87.5% of total premiums.
• Paid Vacation and Holidays
  :
  Generous PTO model to support work‑life balance.
• 401K
  : 50% company match on the first 6% of employee contributions.
• Life Insurance, AD&D, STD & LTD
  :
  Paid 100% by JH Kelly.
• Annual Performance Bonuses
  :
  Opportunity for additional compensation based on performance.
• Profit Sharing
  :
  Participate in JH Kelly’s profit‑sharing program. Averaging 9% of total compensation for the past 10 years.

• Review, draft, negotiate, and advise on prime contracts, MSAs, subcontracts, POs, vendor agreements, NDAs, teaming agreements, and consulting agreements.
• Provide practical, risk‑balanced guidance to project and operations leaders.
• Ensure contract terms align with business goals, risk tolerance, and industry best practices.
• Support real‑time resolution of project issues, payment disputes, changes, delays/impacts, and subcontractor claims.
• Assist with strategy for liens, bond claims, back charges, and commercial conflicts.
• Coordinate litigation, arbitration, administrative claims, and outside counsel.

• Advise on personnel issues, investigations, restrictive covenants, policy reviews, wage/hour, leaves, and disciplinary matters in partnership with HR leadership.

• Support contractor licensing, registration, public works requirements, and multi‑state compliance.
• Provide guidance on insurance, indemnity, risk transfer, and safety‑related legal issues.

• Develop and refine legal templates, playbooks, training materials, and contract processes.
• Support cross‑functional initiatives, acquisitions, real estate matters, and major customer relationships.
• Translate legal issues into clear, actionable business choices for non‑lawyers.

• Support real‑time resolution of project issues, payment disputes, changes, delays/impacts, and subcontractor claims.
• Assist with strategy for liens, bond claims, back charges, and commercial conflicts.
• Coordinate litigation, arbitration, administrative claims, and outside counsel.

• J.D. from an accredited law…