Corporate Counsel

Take Your Corporate Career to the Next Level 

Are you ready to be challenged, make a difference, and experience professional growth in your career? Kleinfelder’s Corporate Services team is looking for you! From Accounting & Finance, Human Resources, Marketing & Communications, and Information Technology to Legal and Health & Safety, our corporate employees are part of the Kleinfelder ecosystem – supporting the projects that improve the communities we work and live in.  

Step into Your New Role 

The Corporate Counsel will serve as a legal advisor to the Company, with a primary focus on contracts and litigation management. In this role, the Corporate Counsel is responsible for drafting, reviewing, and negotiating a wide range of commercial and public-sector client and subcontractor agreements (e.g., master services, professional services, design-build, subconsulting/vendor, task order, teaming, and joint venture agreements).  In addition, the Corporate Counsel will manage claims and litigation matters, develop litigation strategy, and oversee outside counsel.  Additional responsibilities include risk management, regulatory compliance, and corporate governance.

The position requires strong business judgment, excellent contract drafting and negotiation skills, and proven experience managing litigation. The Corporate Counsel will work closely with executives, project managers, and technical teams to enable the Company’s business objectives while safeguarding its legal and financial interests.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Review, negotiate, draft, and advise on all forms of upstream and downstream contracts.
• Serve as a contracting resource and subject matter expert, providing support and guidance to the Company’s contract specialists and project stakeholders, and ensuring that contracts comply with the Company’s policies and risk management objectives.
• Support project teams during contractual negotiations with clients and vendors.
• Manage all phases of litigation, arbitration, and alternative dispute resolution proceedings, including pre-litigation risk assessment, development of case strategy, and oversight and management of outside counsel.
• Identify opportunities to improve contracting processes and other legal functions and collaborate with other team members to implement these improvements and to achieve department goals and objectives.
• Assist with the development and implementation of enhancements to the Company’s contract lifecycle management (CLM) platform. 
• Collaborate with project teams and business leaders to assess legal risk and to develop practical, business minded solutions and mitigation strategies.
• Work closely with the Company’s Risk Mitigation Director and Insurance Manager to ensure comprehensive and effective risk mitigation and insurance programs.
• Provide legal support to corporate services groups (e.g., safety, finance, IT, and HR).
• Develop and conduct contracting and risk management training. 
• Assist with corporate governance matters, including drafting of bylaws, board resolutions and consents.
• Support and assist with all areas of the Company's compliance programs, including privacy, data security, and political contributions. 
• Assist with due diligence and provide legal support in connection with mergers and acquisitions.
• Support the General Counsel as needed and perform such additional tasks as assigned.

POSITION COMPETENCY REQUIREMENTS

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively and express ideas and information in a clear and concise manner.
• Solid understanding of commercial, federal, state, and local government contracting and practices.
• Excellent negotiation and conflict resolution skills, including the ability to influence key stakeholders and achieve project objectives; effectively leverages negotiating strategies and tactics to reach mutually agreeable “win-win” solutions.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail; delivers quality work product.
• Ability to manage complex legal issues and provide clear, actionable advice.
• Strong multitasking and time management skills; ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to handle multiple projects, prioritize, and meet deadlines.
• Ability to perform duties with minimal supervision while exercising discretion and independent judgment.
• Strong interpersonal, teamwork, and diplomatic skills; must be a team player.

EXPERIENCE & ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS

Education: Juris Doctorate from ABA accredited law school and active membership in any state bar.

Experience: 1-5 years of experience in construction law or a related field, with a focus on contact negotiations, risk management, and resolution of claims/disputes.  Experience with various forms of project delivery (e.g., Progressive Design-Build, Design-Build, Design-Bid-Build, CM/GC and PPP) desired.

Move Forward with Kleinfelder: Kleinfelder has been connecting great people to the best work since 1961. We are engineers, scientists, and construction professionals providing solutions that improve our clients’ transportation, water, energy, and other private infrastructure. As a responsive, cross-disciplinary team of bright, curious, and innovative problem-solvers, we are dedicated to doing the right thing, every day, on every project from over 110 offices in the US, Canada, and Australia. Connecting great people to the best work is our purpose – together, we deliver. 

Progress with an Employer that Values You

Kleinfelder is an inclusive organization free from discrimination. We are a stronger organization when we are a diverse workforce and believe that through diversity, equity, and inclusion comes creativity, innovation, and unity. We are proud to offer the following: 

Benefits: Kleinfelder offers an excellent compensation and benefits package, including: medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401(k) plan, and paid holidays. The expected salary range for the position is displayed in accordance with the California Pay Transparency Law.  Final agreed upon compensation is based upon individual qualifications and experience. Salary Range: $98,840-$182,320.

Career Development: We are committed to investing in the professional development of our staff, offering each employee every opportunity to grow, develop, and take control of their career paths. We support these efforts through reimbursements for continuing education as well as many of the expenses associated with trainings and certifications, and opportunities for career development through our internal Mentoring Program. 

Equal Opportunity: Kleinfelder is an Equal Opportunity Employer – Minorities/Women/Disabled/Veterans. (Compliant with the new VEVRAA and Section 503 rules) 

NOTICE TO THIRD PARTY AGENCIES  

Please note that Kleinfelder does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or employment agencies. In the absence of a signed Recruitment Fee Agreement, Kleinfelder will not consider or agree to payment for any referral compensation or recruiter fee. In the event a recruiter or agency submits a resume or candidate without a previously signed agreement, Kleinfelder explicitly reserves the right to pursue and hire those candidate(s) without any financial obligation to the recruiter or agency. Any unsolicited resume, including those submitted to hiring managers, are deemed to be the property of Kleinfelder.