In-House Counsel (Construction & Risk Management)

Job Description

Job Description

F.A. Wilhelm Construction – In-House Counsel

Empowering People to Build What Matters - That is our mission and our legacy.

Our nearly 100 years of building communities in which we work and play, started with one man and one dream.  Today, we are a company that puts People First by providing Meaningful Partnerships , insisting on making a Positive Community Impact , with Safety Always , all with a Learn-Do-Share mentality. 

F.A. Wilhelm Construction is an industry leader with the culture of doing the right things for our employees, partners, clients, and community.  We have an excellent reputation in the construction industry and have enjoyed steady growth and strong financial performances for many years.  Wilhelm's construction professionals turn the conceptual, and sometimes seemingly impossible, into fully completed, innovative spaces where life happens.

We are looking for the right person to join our team as an In-House Counsel .  Is that you?   If so, we want to talk to you!

Responsibilities

The In-House Counsel will provide legal support across the organization with a primary focus on construction contract review/negotiations, risk management, and dispute resolution. This role is responsible for reviewing and negotiating owner contracts, subcontracts, and purchase orders, managing general liability claims, assisting with insurance matters, and supporting business operations through practical, risk-balanced legal guidance. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, collaborative, a self-starter, solutions-focused, an effective communicator, and experienced in construction law and contract administration.

A.    Contract Review & Negotiation

• Review, draft, and negotiate construction-related agreements, including owner contract, subcontracts, purchase orders, and vendor agreements.
• Provide clear, risk-based guidance to internal stakeholders on contractual obligations and risk allocation.
• Ensure consistency with company standards and alignment with applicable laws, industry best practices, and insurance products.

  B.    Claims & Risk Management

• Manage and oversee general liability claims, including coordination with insurers, brokers, and outside counsel.
• Investigate and evaluate claims exposure and develop resolution strategies.
• Track and report on claims status, trends, and risk mitigation opportunities.

  C.    Dispute Resolution

• Assist in the resolution of project-related disputes, including payment disputes, performance issues, and contractual claims.
• Engage in early dispute resolution strategies to minimize litigation exposure.
• Support mediation, arbitration, and litigation efforts as needed, including managing outside counsel.

  D .   Insurance & Risk Transfer

• Participate in the annual insurance renewal process, including policy review, coverage analysis, and collaboration with brokers and leadership.
• Review and advise on insurance requirements in contracts to ensure alignment with company risk management objectives.
• Coordinate and collaborate with insurance brokers, underwriters, and claims professionals for the purpose of identifying and protecting against enterprise and project risk in addition to resolving encountered issues.

E.   Compliance & Collaboration

• Partner cross-functionally with project management, operations, finance, and executive leadership to provide proactive legal guidance.
• Support internal training initiatives related to contracts, risk management, and compliance.
• Promote a team-oriented environment by working collaboratively within and across departments.

Key Attributes

• Comfortable at the table with all levels of leadership
• Collaborator
• Integrity
• Organized and systematic
• Proactive Problem Solver with outstanding interpersonal skills
• Commitment to Excellence

What it takes

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school.
• Licensed to practice law in the State of Indiana and in good standing.
• Demonstrated experience with dispute resolution processes, including mediation and arbitration.

F.A. Wilhelm offers a unique opportunity for the right person to experience a variety of work.  Working at F.A Wilhelm, you can expect:

• A competitive compensation package.
• A comprehensive benefits package to include medical, dental, vision, and 401K match.  Basic life insurance, short-term and long-term disability insurance is paid for by F.A Wilhelm.
• Discretionary yearly bonus program.
• A generous PTO bank.