Associate Corporate Counsel

Westwood Professional Services; Plano (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Westwood Professional Services, Inc. is seeking an experienced Associate Corporate Counsel in Dallas, Texas. This role will support business operations with expertise in commercial contract drafting and negotiation.

The ideal candidate will have a strong legal background with 7-10 years of experience, providing legal guidance to business leaders and managing contracts and disputes effectively. This position offers a full-time opportunity within a rapidly growing professional services firm.

Qualifications

• 7-10 years of demonstrated legal experience in corporate or in-house environments.
• Substantial experience in commercial contract management and negotiation.
• Experience managing contract disputes and litigation matters.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal advice to business leaders on commercial and operational matters.
• Draft and negotiate commercial contracts, including client and subconsultant agreements.
• Manage claims and disputes, directing outside counsel as necessary.

Skills

Commercial contract drafting

Negotiation

Risk management

Legal compliance

Communication skills

Education

Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school

Job description

Description

Westwood Professional Services, Inc. is seeking an experienced Associate Corporate Counsel to join our Legal Team in Dallas, Texas. This is a highly visible, hands‑on role supporting day‑to‑day business operations across a growing national platform. The role calls for a seasoned attorney with deep in‑house corporate experience and demonstrates expertise in commercial contract drafting and negotiation with clients and subcontractors, contract lifecycle management, and litigation and dispute oversight. You will serve as a key legal resource helping Westwood navigate legal risks in exciting, rapidly changing industries by partnering closely with business leaders, project managers, and internal teams on client and subconsultant agreements, while providing strategic counsel on risk management, compliance, and broader corporate legal matters.

The ideal candidate brings sound business judgment, a proactive and solutions‑oriented mindset, and the ability to navigate a complex organization with confidence. This person will serve as a trusted advisor who delivers clear, practical guidance, manages outside counsel effectively, and builds strong relationships across the business. This role is well‑suited for an experienced attorney who values stability and is seeking a long‑term opportunity to make a meaningful, sustained impact at a rapidly growing professional services firm.

Job Type

Full‑time

Responsibilities

• Serve as a trusted legal advisor to business leaders, project managers, and internal teams on a broad range of commercial, operational, and risk‑related legal matters
• Lead the drafting, review, negotiation, and lifecycle management of a high volume of commercial contracts, including client agreements, subconsultant agreements, and related documents such as certificates of insurance, change orders, and amendments
• Provide practical, risk‑based guidance on contract terms and conditions, conducting thorough risk assessments to support project execution while protecting the business and advancing commercial objectives
• Oversee and manage claims, disputes, subpoenas, and litigation matters, including directing and managing outside counsel, controlling legal spend, and driving resolution strategies
• Ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws, including government contracting requirements (e.g., FAR/DFARS flow‑downs, where applicable)
• Translate complex legal concepts into clear, concise, and actionable guidance, serving as a trusted counselor to non‑legal stakeholders at all levels of the organization
• Drive the development and implementation of best practices, standard contract templates, playbooks, and process improvements to enhance efficiency and consistency within the Legal function
• Partner cross‑functionally to promote consistent, well‑managed risk practices across the organization
• Provide general legal support across all Legal Team activities as needed

Required Experience and Skills

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school and active bar membership in good standing
• 7‑10 years of demonstrated legal experience, with significant time in a corporate or in‑house environment and a strong track record of balancing legal risk with business priorities
• Substantial experience in commercial contract drafting, negotiation, and lifecycle management, ideally within professional services; engineering, construction, or related industries are considered a strong plus
• Demonstrated experience supporting project‑based businesses operating in complex, multi‑party contracting environments
• Meaningful experience managing contract disputes, claims, and litigation matters, including direct oversight and management of outside counsel
• Proven ability to build credibility and partner effectively with senior business leaders and cross‑functional teams as a strategic advisor
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to simplify complex legal issues
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and competing demands in a fast‑paced environment
• Ability to travel as needed

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Westwood provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. We believe that diverse backgrounds strengthen our business. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.