SR Counsel-Construction Claims & Project Execution

Primary Purpose

Senior Counsel – Construction Claims & Project Execution will serve as the Owner’s lead legal resource for managing contractor claims, change orders, and disputes arising from major construction projects. The role will work closely with Project Management, Project Controls, Engineering, Procurement, Commercial, Finance, and outside counsel.

The successful candidate will combine sophisticated construction-law experience with a practical understanding of major construction agreements including EPC project execution, major equipment supply agreements and will be responsible for protecting the Owner’s contractual and commercial position from initial claim identification through negotiation and final resolution. This position requires an attorney who can operate autonomously and effectively at the intersection of law, project execution, project controls, and commercial strategy and who approaches claims proactively rather than simply managing disputes after they arise.

Qualifications

- J.D. from an accredited law school and active membership in at least one U.S. state bar.
- At least ten years of construction/EPC legal experience, preferably involving major power, energy, infrastructure, industrial, or similar capital projects.
- Significant experience representing owners, developers, utilities, or project sponsors in contractor claims and disputes.
- Demonstrated experience with EPC change orders, delay and disruption claims, schedule analysis, requests for equitable adjustment, and construction damages.
- Working knowledge of CPM scheduling, project controls, cost reporting, and construction claims methodology.
- Experience negotiating with major EPC contractors and managing construction counsel, scheduling experts, and damages consultants.
- Experience with large lump-sum or lump-sum-turnkey EPC projects strongly preferred.

Certifications and Licenses

- Must be licensed to practice law in at least one U.S. state.
- Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license and a driving record satisfactory to the company and its insurers (for travel).

Preferred Qualifications

- In-house experience managing construction claims.
- Experience in an operations-heavy, project-based, industrial, construction, energy, infrastructure, manufacturing, logistics, engineering, or similar business environment.
- Background in litigation, safety, environmental issues, contractor disputes, or project claims.
- Experience with union contractors and federal obligations around Prevailing Wage and Apprenticeship requirements.
- Prior law firm experience in litigation, employment, regulatory, compliance, investigations, or construction disputes.
- Experience reporting to or supporting senior leadership, project lenders, insurers, compliance committees, audit committees, special committees, or boards.
- Experience managing outside counsel budgets, legal spend, matter reporting, and litigation reserves.
- Strong legal judgment and risk assessment.
- Litigation and claims strategy.
- External counsel management.
- Sound analytical skills.
- Ability to balance legal risk with operational and business realities.
- High integrity and discretion.
- Clear, concise, and practical communication.
- Executive presence and credibility with senior leaders.
- Cross-functional collaboration.
- Strong project and matter management.
- Ability to manage multiple urgent, confidential, and high-risk matters simultaneously.