Legal Counsel

Job Description

Job Description

Hazen and Sawyer seeks Legal Counsel for our Raleigh, NC office. This attorney will partner with project teams and leadership to support commercial contracting, technology transactions, risk management, and other legal needs. The role is ideal for an experienced attorney who values close collaboration, independent judgment, and contributing to infrastructure projects that protect public health and the environment.

Why Hazen and Sawyer:

• Founded in 1951 by the son of Allen Hazen (developer of the Hazen-Williams equation), we are an employee-owned company with a singular focus on "all things water."
• Our work includes planning, design, and oversight of construction of environmental infrastructure – for water, wastewater, and stormwater management.
• We foster a work environment low on bureaucracy and high in creativity.
• We recruit talented professionals, provide them with challenging, interesting, and creative assignments, and furnish them with the tools they need to succeed.
• We currently have over 2,400 employees in 90+ offices throughout the United States, Latin America, Canada, and the UK.
• A flexible hybrid work schedule supports today's busy professionals.

Key Responsibilities:

• Exercise sound legal judgment in advising regional project teams and office leadership, including the ability to assess risk and deliver clear recommendations.
• Draft, review, and negotiate commercial contracts, including professional services agreements, subconsultant agreements, NDAs, teaming agreements, RFx's, technology licenses, software agreements, and other business-related documents.
• Advise on technology and AI-related issues arising in commercial contracts, including software licensing, data use, and emerging technology considerations.
• Advise on employment and labor matters, including hiring, terminations, workplace policies, wage and hour issues, accommodations, and internal investigations.
• Support immigration matters, including employment-based visa sponsorship, in coordination with our outside immigration counsel, adding substantive value where possible.
• Collaborate with business stakeholders to ensure that contracts reflect the company's strategic goals while minimizing legal risk.
• Provide legal guidance on compliance issues and interpret contract provisions to ensure the company's adherence to applicable laws and regulations.
• Perform legal research on relevant laws and regulations related to commercial contracts, employment, immigration, engineering, and other business areas.
• Support the company in maintaining compliance with local, state, and federal regulations, including emerging technology and AI-related regulatory requirements.
• Stay up-to-date with industry trends, particularly in commercial contracting, technology licensing, artificial intelligence, and the engineering sector.
• Assist with other general legal matters, as needed.

Required Qualifications:

• 6-9 years of experience in a commercial contract law practice, including drafting, reviewing, and negotiating contracts.
• Experience advising on employment and labor matters.
• Experience with immigration matters, including employment-based visa sponsorship.
• Familiarity with artificial intelligence tools, platforms, or governance frameworks preferred.
• Experience with intellectual property matters (trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, or patent support) preferred.
• Experience in contracting within the engineering, architecture, or construction sectors is a plus, but not required.
• Solid understanding of contract law, commercial transactions, employment and labor law, and related legal matters.
• Working knowledge of employment and immigration compliance issues affecting a multi-state workforce.
• Excellent communication skills (both written and verbal) with the ability to clearly explain complex legal concepts to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Strong attention to detail, organizational skills, and the ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively within a team environment.
• Strong problem-solving abilities and a proactive approach to identifying and addressing legal risks.
• Familiarity with international contract law and regulations is a plus.
• Demonstrated ability to manage competing stakeholder priorities and communicate firm legal positions to non-legal audiences, including senior technical and business personnel.

Educational and Licensure:

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school.
• Licensed and in good standing in at least one U.S. jurisdiction, with the ability to provide in-house legal services in North Carolina as of the start date.

What We Offer:

• Comprehensive health benefits (medical, dental, vision, and prescription plans).
• Pre-tax flexible spending plans for medical, dependent care, and transportation.
• Short and long-term disability, and employer paid life insurance.
• Paid holidays, floating holidays, and paid time off (PTO).
• Employer-contributed 401(k) plan and additional financial planning support.
• Professional growth opportunities, including tuition reimbursement, in-house training, and incentives for professional registration and professional organization memberships. 
• Starting pay range for this position depends on skills, experience, education and geographical location.

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