Legal Counsel

Job Description

Job Description

Hazen and Sawyer seeks Legal Counsel for our Denver 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 independent legal judgment in advising project teams and leadership, including assessing risk and delivering clear, practical recommendations with minimal oversight.
• Draft, review, and negotiate commercial contracts, including professional services agreements, subconsultant agreements, confidentiality agreements, teaming agreements, RFx documents, software agreements, and technology-related agreements and documents.
• Advise on technology matters, including software licensing, AI/machine learning tools, data use, and intellectual property issues.
• Partner with business stakeholders to align contracts with company strategy while effectively managing legal risk.
• Provide legal guidance on compliance issues and interpret contract provisions to support adherence to applicable laws and regulations.
• Conduct legal research on issues related to commercial contracts, technology, intellectual property, engineering, and other business areas.
• Support compliance with local, state, and federal requirements, including emerging technology and AI-related requirements.
• Monitor industry trends in commercial contracting, technology, and the engineering sector.
• Assist with other general legal matters, as needed.

Required Qualifications:

• 6-9 years of experience drafting, reviewing, and negotiating commercial agreements. 
• Experience with technology transactions, including software licensing, SaaS, and vendor agreements.
• Strong understanding of contract law, commercial transactions, and risk allocation.
• Knowledge of intellectual property principles as applied to commercial agreements.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain legal concepts to business and technical stakeholders. 
• Demonstrated ability to exercise independent judgment, manage competing priorities, and provide practical, business-oriented recommendations. 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with artificial intelligence tools, platforms, or governance frameworks. 
• Experience supporting intellectual property matters, including trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, or patent support. 
• Experience in the engineering, architecture, construction, infrastructure, or professional services sectors. 
• Familiarity with international contracts or cross-border legal issues.

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 counsel services in Colorado

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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