Corporate Counsel

Overview:

Pape-Dawson Engineers is seeking an experienced Corporate In-House Counsel to join our legal team.  This position provides comprehensive legal guidance across various functions, including contracts, procurement, litigation management, mergers and acquisitions, and regulatory compliance. This role involves drafting, reviewing, and negotiating contracts related to engineering and surveying, ensuring adherence to industry regulations, and mitigating legal risks associated with the company’s diverse portfolio of projects.

The Corporate In-House Counsel works closely with the General Counsel and legal team, offering legal, procurement, and project management advice to project teams, ensuring effective contract negotiation and enforcement. Additionally, the role includes managing outside counsel on insured litigation claims, overseeing discovery processes, and supporting merger and acquisition activities, including due diligence and integration of subsidiaries, as part of Pape-Dawson’s growth strategy.

• Utilize AI-assisted software for drafting, redlining, and finalizing engineering and surveying contracts to ensure compliance with Pape-Dawson’s legal standards and risk tolerance.
• Provide legal support during the execution of engineering and surveying projects to ensure regulatory compliance and adherence to industry standards.
• Conduct legal research on corporate and regulatory issues relevant to Pape-Dawson’s projects.
• Identify and mitigate legal risks such as disputes, delays, cost overruns, and performance issues, and recommend contractual safeguards.
• Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations regarding engineering, surveying, procurement, and environmental matters.
• Manage disputes related to contracts, collaborating with outside counsel for litigation or arbitration when necessary.
• Collaborate with internal teams to align legal strategies with project scope, timelines, and budgets.
• Oversee contractual relationships with vendors, subcontractors, and suppliers to ensure adherence to company standards.
• Support merger and acquisition activities by conducting legal due diligence and managing related project financing.
• Expected time allocation: 65% transactional work, 35% litigation management.

• Juris Doctor from an accredited law school.
• Active state bar membership is required.
• A minimum of 4 years of experience in legal practice, particularly in construction law, real estate law, project development, mergers and acquisitions, or litigation within the engineering or construction sectors.
• Proficiency in contract negotiation, risk management, and dispute resolution.
• Strong communication and drafting skills, with the ability to explain complex legal matters to non-legal stakeholders.
• Experience in managing multiple projects and working with cross-functional teams.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a strategic approach and attention to detail.

• Top 15% of law school class.
• Law review membership.
• Judicial clerkship experience.

All qualified applicants for Pape-Dawson Engineers will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.