General Counsel

Driver Pipeline Company, Inc. is a Texas-based pipeline contractor providing construction, maintenance and integrity services across oil, gas and related energy infrastructure. Built on a family legacy of operational excellence, the company serves a concentrated customer base through long-term service relationships and operates across multiple states.

Role Description

The General Counsel serves as the company’s senior legal officer and primary advisor to the CEO and executive leadership. This role owns contract review, claims management and legal compliance from day one, working closely with operations, insurance partners and outside counsel.

Driver Pipeline is a family-owned business with a strong operational culture. This role is ideal for a pragmatic, business-minded attorney who is comfortable working directly with project managers, superintendents and leadership teams.

We’re looking for someone who:

• Reads contracts with an operational not just legal lens
• Understands the economics of pipeline construction
• Delivers clear, actionable guidance quickly
• Has hands-on claims management experience with carriers and counsel
• Builds trust with both field teams and executives

Core Responsibilities

1. Contract Review & Negotiation

• Lead full lifecycle of commercial agreements including customers, subcontractors, vendors and real estate
• Draft, review and negotiate MSAs, subcontracts and related agreements
• Advise on indemnity, insurance requirements, limitation of liability, scope and warranty provisions
• Support timely execution aligned with project schedules

2. Claims Management

• Oversee workers’ compensation, general liability, auto liability and umbrella claims
• Coordinate with TPAs, carriers and defense counsel on strategy and resolutionMonitor loss runs, reserves and claim exposure
• Identify trends and recommend operational or contractual improvements
• Support incident investigations with safety and field teams

3. Insurance & Risk Management

• Advise on insurance program structure and risk transfer strategy
• Review certificates of insurance, endorsements and additional insured requirements
• Support captive program structure and compliance
• Review employee benefit plans and TPA agreements
• Advise on contractual risk allocation and indemnification structures

4. Employment Law & Workforce Compliance

• Advise on hiring, discipline and termination matters
• Review employment, independent contractor and separation agreements
• Support I-9 compliance and E-Verify processes
• Assist HR with investigations, policy development and employee relations matters

5. Corporate Governance & Regulatory Compliance

• Oversee entity management, filings and governance documentation
• Advise on ownership, succession and structural matters
• Coordinate regulatory filings and compliance across operating regions

Role Details

• Reports To: CEO
• Department: Legal / Executive
• FLSA Status: Exempt
• Travel: Up to 15%
• Direct Reports: Associate General Counsel

Qualifications

Required

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an ABA-accredited law school
• Active Texas license or ability to obtain within six months
• 10+ years of legal experience in construction, oil and gas, pipeline or related industries
• Strong experience drafting and negotiating MSAs, subcontracts and change orders
• Direct claims management experience with TPAs, carriers and defense counsel
• Litigation management experience including strategy and resolution
• Ability to lead a lean high-impact in-house legal function

Preferred

• Experience in pipeline, construction or industrial regulatory environments
• Familiarity with I-9 compliance and E-Verify in field operations
• Experience in family-owned or closely held businesses
• Proven ability to manage outside counsel and control legal spend

Driver Pipeline offers the opportunity to step into a high-impact leadership role where legal strategy directly supports field execution, safety and long-term business success.