General Counsel

General Counsel PositionThe General Counsel will serve as Ace Electric's senior legal executive and trusted advisor to the CEO and executive leadership team. This role will own and lead all legal matters across the enterprise, with a heavy emphasis on commercial construction contracts, risk mitigation, and proactive legal strategy. The General Counsel will be deeply embedded in the business—partnering daily with Operations, Pre-Construction, Project Management, Finance, and Executive Leadership—to fabricate, negotiate, review, and manage construction contracts while reducing risk and supporting profitable growth. The General Counsel will report to the President of Corporate Support.Responsibilities:Construction Contract Fabrication, Review & Negotiation (Primary Emphasis)Draft, review, and negotiate:Prime contracts (AIA, ConsensusDocs, AGC, custom owner forms)Subcontracts and supplier agreementsDesign-build and EPC agreementsMaster Service Agreements (MSAs)Change orders, amendments, and exhibitsLead contract risk reviews during:Bid phasePre-award negotiationsMajor project escalationsIdentify and mitigate high-risk clauses including:IndemnificationLiquidated damagesDelay damages / no-damage-for-delayPay-if-paid / pay-when-paidFlow-down provisionsInsurance and bonding requirementsWarranty and defect exposureDevelop standard contract playbooks, redline guidance, and fallback positions for Operations and Pre-Construction teams.Legal Risk Management & Claims OversightProvide legal guidance on:Project disputes, claims, and terminationsDelay, acceleration, and scope disputesLien rights, bond claims, and payment disputesManage litigation strategy in coordination with outside counsel (when required)Proactively advise project teams to avoid disputes before they escalateSupport resolution strategies that preserve client relationships when possibleCorporate, Regulatory & Governance SupportOversee corporate governance, entity compliance, and state licensing requirementsEnsure compliance with:Federal, state, and local construction regulationsLabor and employment laws (in coordination with HR)Safety, compliance, and insurance obligationsSupport executive leadership with:Strategic initiativesM&A diligence and integration (if applicable)Joint ventures and strategic partnershipsInternal Enablement & Process ImprovementTrain Operations, Project Managers, and Pre-Construction leaders on:Contract risk awarenessCommon legal pitfalls in construction projectsHow to spot early warning signsBuild scalable legal processes, including:Contract review workflowsRisk escalation protocolsDocument retention and dispute documentation standardsAct as a practical business advisor, balancing legal risk with commercial realitiesPosition Requirements:License: Active license to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction (multi-state preferred).Education: Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school required.Experience : 10+ years of legal experience, with:Significant time in commercial construction lawPrior experience as:In-house counsel for a construction, engineering, or specialty trade company or:Construction-focused attorney at a respected law firmDeep familiarity with:Large commercial/industrial projectsMulti-state contracting environmentsHigh-dollar, high-complexity project riskWorking Conditions:Office-based role with regular use of computers, phones, and standard office equipment.Occasional travel may be required to company offices, project sites, or legal proceedings.May involve exposure to construction environments during site visits (appropriate safety protocols will be followed).Standard business hours with occasional extended hours based on business needs or legal matters.Required Physical/Mental Functions:Ability to analyze complex legal and business issues and exercise sound judgment.Ability to read, interpret, and draft detailed legal documents and contracts.Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing.Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and work effectively under pressure.Ability to sit for extended periods while reviewing documents and working at a computer.Ability to attend meetings, training sessions, and occasional site visits as required.AAP/EEO Statement:Ace Electric, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identification, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other category protected by federal, state, or local law.