General Counsel

Overview SESI Consulting Engineers is hiring an In-House Counsel to provide legal guidance and support on a wide range of issues related to the firm's business operations, contracts, risk management, and regulatory compliance. Your expertise will play a vital role in supporting SESI Consulting Engineers’ growth and maintaining our commitment to excellence with your strong negotiation skills, a thorough understanding of legal and contractual language, and the ability to manage relationships with both internal teams and external customers. This role is critical in managing legal risks, ensuring compliance with industry regulations, and protecting the firm’s interests in all legal matters. Essential Duties and Responsibilities Contract Drafting and Negotiation: Draft, review, and negotiate contracts with clients, vendors, subcontractors, and partners, including construction agreements, project contracts, non-disclosure, privacy, and service-level agreements. Legal Compliance: Ensure the firm's compliance with applicable local, state, and federal laws, as well as industry-specific regulations (e.g., environmental, health and safety, building codes, etc.). Risk Management: Identify and mitigate potential legal risks to the firm, providing strategies to reduce exposure and manage liability related to projects, contracts, and business operations. Dispute Resolution and Litigation: Work with outside counsel to represent the firm in legal disputes, including claims related to contract breaches, intellectual property, construction defects, or regulatory violations. Manage external counsel when necessary. Financial Risk Management: Manage the client lien and lien waiver process. Conduct collection conversations with clients and escalate to attorneys if necessary. Identify, assess, and implement appropriate document retention policies for the company. Employment Law: Advise on employment-related matters, including employee contracts, dispute resolution, workplace safety, and labor regulations, ensuring adherence to labor laws and best practices. Develop and review employee related contracts such as non-disclosure, non-compete, and confidentiality agreements. Insurance and Liability: Oversee the firm’s insurance programs, reviewing policies, claims, and coverage options to ensure adequate protection for the firm and its projects. Training and Legal Awareness: Provide training to staff on legal topics relevant to the firm, such as contract law, compliance, and ethical considerations in business practices. General Legal Advice: Provide day-to-day legal advice on various matters, including business operations, regulatory inquiries, and internal policies to ensure sound decision-making. Manage relationships with outside attorneys, using them when needed. Supervisory Responsibilities This job has supervisory responsibilities. Competencies Communications – Exhibits effective listening and comprehension skills. Expresses ideas and thoughts in written form. Expresses ideas and thoughts verbally. Keeps others adequately informed. Selects and uses appropriate communication methods. Cooperation – Establishes and maintains effective relations; exhibits tact and consideration; offers assistance and support to co-workers; works cooperatively in group situations; works actively to resolve conflicts. Customer Service – Manages difficult or emotional customer situations; responds promptly to customer needs; solicits customer feedback to improve service; responds to requests for service and assistance; meets commitments. Dependability – Follows instructions, responds to management direction; takes responsibility/accountability for own actions; keeps commitments; commits to long hours of work when necessary to reach goals; completes tasks on time or notifies appropriate person with an alternate plan. Job Knowledge – Competent in required job skills and knowledge; exhibits ability to learn and apply new skills; keeps abreast of current developments; requires minimal supervision; displays understanding of how job relates to others; uses resources effectively. Planning/Organizing – Prioritizes and plans work activities; uses time efficiently; plans for additional resources; sets goals and objectives; organizes or schedules other people and their tasks; develops realistic action plans. Organizational Support – Follows policies and procedures; completes administrative tasks correctly and on time; supports organization’s goals and values; supports affirmative action and respects diversity. Use of Technology – Demonstrates required skills; adapts to new technologies; troubleshoots technological problems; uses technology to increase productivity; keeps technical skills up to date. Qualifications Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school. Licensed to practice law in the relevant jurisdiction. Proven experience as an in-house counsel, preferably in the engineering, construction, or architecture industry. Strong knowledge of contract law, construction law, and relevant industry regulations. Excellent negotiation, drafting, and communication skills. Ability to manage multiple legal issues simultaneously and provide timely advice. Strong problem-solving skills and a practical, business-oriented approach to legal matters. Certificates, Licenses, Registrations Valid Driver’s License and possess reliable transportation. Physical Demands 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. While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands or fingers, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate. Work Environment Due to the collaborative nature of this role, it is important that this team members’ regular working schedule aligns with the company’s and fall within 8 AM –5:30 PM. There may be times where tasks fall on nights / weekends. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This position will work in a typical office environment, mostly located indoor with windows. The office contains office equipment resulting in equipment noise. This position will be working in a shared office space with other colleagues and may experience frequent interruptions, conversations, or other background noise. Compensation Compensation: $150,000 - $200,000 #J-18808-Ljbffr Page Mechanical Group, Inc.