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Job Description
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.
#LI-LP1
#LI-HYBRID
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 international).
• Experience with alternative project delivery methods (e.g., design-build, EPC, PPP/P3) and major project risk management.
• Familiarity with environmental, health and safety, and regulatory frameworks applicable to engineering and construction projects.
EEO Statement
We attract the best people in the industry, supporting their efforts to learn and grow. We strive to create a challenging and progressive work environment. We provide career opportunities that span a variety of disciplines and geographic locations, with projects that our employees plan, design, build and operate as diverse as the needs of our clients. CDM Smith is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, pregnancy related conditions, childbirth and related medical conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression), national origin, age, marital status, disability, veteran status, citizenship status, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
Skills and Abilities
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey complex legal concepts in a clear and practical manner to non-lawyers.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and effectively with staff at all levels within the organization, including senior executives, project managers, and technical professionals.
• Strong negotiation skills and sound business judgment, with the ability to balance legal risk with commercial objectives.
• Must be a self-starter and organized, with the ability to handle multiple, competing priorities in a timely and accurate manner in a fast-paced, project-driven environment.
• Maintains a thorough knowledge of legal principles and practices applicable to:
-Construction and engineering contracts and project delivery models.
-Litigation, claims, and dispute resolution in the construction/AEC context, preferably gained in an in-house role.
-Relevant areas of law such as contracts, commercial law, environmental law, and health and safety.
• Ability to manage outside counsel effectively and efficiently, including controlling costs and ensuring alignment with business objectives.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a proactive, solutions-oriented approach, using prior in-house litigation experience to anticipate and prevent disputes where possible.
• Direct hands-on litigation and dispute resolution experience (litigation, arbitration, and/or mediation), with a clear track record of managing construction or complex commercial disputes from an in-house perspective or in very close partnership with in-house teams.
Background Check and Drug Testing Information
CDM Smith Inc. and its divisions and subsidiaries (hereafter collectively referred to as “CDM Smith”) reserves the right to require background checks including criminal, employment, education, licensure, etc. as well as credit and motor vehicle when applicable for certain positions. In addition, CDM Smith may conduct drug testing for designated positions. Background checks are conducted after an offer of employment has been made in the United States. The timing of when background checks will be conducted on candidates for positions outside the United States will vary based on country statutory law but in no case, will the background check precede an interview. CDM Smith will conduct interviews of qualified individuals prior to requesting a criminal background check, and no job application submitted prior to such interview shall inquire into an applicant's criminal history. If this position is subject to a background check for any convictions related to its responsibilities and requirements, employment will be contingent upon successful completion of a background investigation including criminal history. Criminal history will not automatically disqualify a candidate. In addition, during employment individuals may be required by CDM Smith or a CDM Smith client to successfully complete additional background checks, including motor vehicle record as well as drug testing.
Additional Compensation
All bonuses at CDM Smith are discretionary and may or may not apply to this position.
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.
#LI-LP1
#LI-HYBRID
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 international).
• Experience with alternative project delivery methods (e.g., design-build, EPC, PPP/P3) and major project risk management.
• Familiarity with environmental, health and safety, and regulatory frameworks applicable to engineering and construction projects.
EEO Statement
We attract the best people in the industry, supporting their efforts to learn and grow. We strive to create a challenging and progressive work environment. We provide career opportunities that span a variety of disciplines and geographic locations, with projects that our employees plan, design, build and operate as diverse as the needs of our clients. CDM Smith is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, pregnancy related conditions, childbirth and related medical conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression), national origin, age, marital status, disability, veteran status, citizenship status, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
Skills and Abilities
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey complex legal concepts in a clear and practical manner to non-lawyers.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and effectively with staff at all levels within the organization, including senior executives, project managers, and technical professionals.
• Strong negotiation skills and sound business judgment, with the ability to balance legal risk with commercial objectives.
• Must be a self-starter and organized, with the ability to handle multiple, competing priorities in a timely and accurate manner in a fast-paced, project-driven environment.
• Maintains a thorough knowledge of legal principles and practices applicable to:
-Construction and engineering contracts and project delivery models.
-Litigation, claims, and dispute resolution in the construction/AEC context, preferably gained in an in-house role.
-Relevant areas of law such as contracts, commercial law, environmental law, and health and safety.
• Ability to manage outside counsel effectively and efficiently, including controlling costs and ensuring alignment with business objectives.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a proactive, solutions-oriented approach, using prior in-house litigation experience to anticipate and prevent disputes where possible.
• Direct hands-on litigation and dispute resolution experience (litigation, arbitration, and/or mediation), with a clear track record of managing construction or complex commercial disputes from an in-house perspective or in very close partnership with in-house teams.
Background Check and Drug Testing Information
CDM Smith Inc. and its divisions and subsidiaries (hereafter collectively referred to as “CDM Smith”) reserves the right to require background checks including criminal, employment, education, licensure, etc. as well as credit and motor vehicle when applicable for certain positions. In addition, CDM Smith may conduct drug testing for designated positions. Background checks are conducted after an offer of employment has been made in the United States. The timing of when background checks will be conducted on candidates for positions outside the United States will vary based on country statutory law but in no case, will the background check precede an interview. CDM Smith will conduct interviews of qualified individuals prior to requesting a criminal background check, and no job application submitted prior to such interview shall inquire into an applicant's criminal history. If this position is subject to a background check for any convictions related to its responsibilities and requirements, employment will be contingent upon successful completion of a background investigation including criminal history. Criminal history will not automatically disqualify a candidate. In addition, during employment individuals may be required by CDM Smith or a CDM Smith client to successfully complete additional background checks, including motor vehicle record as well as drug testing.
Additional Compensation
All bonuses at CDM Smith are discretionary and may or may not apply to this position.
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