Associate General Counsel

Norlee Group is a multi-trade building systems organization delivering integrated electrical, mechanical, and technology solutions across commercial, industrial, institutional, and specialty markets. As part of our continued growth under the One Norlee platform, we are seeking a Associate General Counsel.

Position Summary

The Associate General Counsel will serve as a key member of Norlee Group’s Legal & Compliance team, supporting the General Counsel in managing the company’s legal affairs with a primary focus on construction law, contract management, and operational legal support. This role will be responsible for the day-to-day execution of legal activities, including drafting and negotiating contracts, supporting project teams, managing claims, and driving standardization of legal practices across the organization in a fast-paced corporate environment. The Associate General Counsel will work closely with business unit leaders, operations teams, and cross-functional partners to proactively identify risk, ensure compliance, and enable the business to execute efficiently and effectively. This role is critical in supporting Norlee’s continued growth, including integration of acquired companies and implementation of standardized legal processes.

Key Accountabilities / Measurables

• Contract Efficiency & Discipline: Maintain average contract redline turnaround time within 7 days or by client driven deadline.
• Operational Support & Responsiveness : Support operations with all legal, claims, and contract related matters within 48 hours (initial response time).
• M&A & Integration Support: Support M&A diligence efforts and ensure alignment with all standard contract and legal procedures within the 13-week integration period following each acquisition.
• Internal Training Delivery: Support50% of the monthly legal training sessions for operations.
• Reporting and Technology: Maintain updated reports, spreadsheets, or other technology tools as needed to track the status of claims and contracts in support of operations and quarterly management meetings.

Key Responsibilities

Contracting & Legal Execution

• Draft, review, and negotiate a high volume of construction-related agreements, including prime contracts, subcontracts, master service agreements, NDAs, and vendor agreements.
• Update, maintain, and ensure alignment with Norlee’s standard contract templates, risk thresholds, legal policies, and guidelines.
• Identify, assess, and clearly communicate contractual risks and recommended mitigation strategies to internal stakeholders.
• Partner with operations and project teams to support contract execution and administration throughout the project lifecycle.

Operational Legal Support

• Serve as a key legal resource to operating divisions on day-to-day legal matters, providing timely, practical, and business-oriented guidance.
• Support project teams in resolving contract-related issues, including scope disputes, change orders, delays, and performance matters.
• Draft and review correspondence to clients, subcontractors, and third parties related to contract administration and dispute positioning.
• Manage the lifecycle of construction claims and disputes, including documentation, strategy support, and coordination with internal stakeholders.
• Partner with the General Counsel on complex, high-risk, or escalated disputes and litigation matters.
• Support proactive claim avoidance strategies through strong contract language and project related advice and counsel.
• Drive adoption and consistent use of standardized contract templates and legal processes across all business units.
• Support the integration of acquired companies by aligning legacy contracts and practices to Norlee’s legal standards within the 13-week integration framework.
• Assist in developing and implementing legal policies, procedures, and governance frameworks to improve consistency and reduce risk.

Training & Cross-Functional Partnership

• Develop and deliver training to operations and business leaders on contract fundamentals, risk management, and legal best practices.
• Partner with Finance, HR, Safety, and Operations to ensure alignment on legal, compliance, and risk-related matters.
• Promote a proactive legal culture that balances risk management with business enablement.
• Assist with compliance, licensing, insurance and bond related matters as needed.

Outside Counsel Coordination

• Support the management of outside counsel by coordinating assigned matters, gathering documentation, and tracking progress.
• Assist in managing legal spending related to assigned matters and ensuring efficient use of external resources.

Other Duties

Perform other duties as assigned in support of the legal and compliance function.

• Communicates Effectively: Clearly conveys legal concepts in a practical, business-friendly manner; adapts communication style to the audience.
• Manages Complexity: Evaluates legal and business risks, identifies practical solutions, and exercises sound judgment in dynamic environments.
• Collaborates: Works effectively across business units and functions to achieve shared objectives and drive alignment.
• Plans and Aligns: Prioritizes competing demands, manages deadlines, and ensures timely delivery of legal support.
• Business Acumen: Understands construction operations and balances legal risk with operational realities.
• Detail Orientation: Ensures accuracy and consistency in contract review, correspondence, version control, documentation, standard forms, and legal processes.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.

Education and/or Experience

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school.
• Active Bar admission in at least one U.S. state (Florida strongly preferred).
• 4–6+ years of experience practicing construction law, preferably in a corporate legal department or construction-focused law firm.
• Demonstrated experience drafting and negotiating construction contracts and supporting construction related disputes.
• Experience with claims management, contract administration, and dispute resolution in the construction industry.

Language / Interpersonal Skills

Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to translate complex legal concepts into practical guidance. Ability to build relationships and influence stakeholders across all levels of the organization. Strong listening, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.

Computer Skills

Proficient in Microsoft Office 365 (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams, PowerPoint). Experience with contract management systems, AI tools, or legal workflow tools is a plus.

Physical Demands & Work Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The employee is frequently required to stand, walk; sit and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; Dexterity of hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard, mouse, and business equipment. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 20 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, and depth perception.