Associate Corporate Counsel

Westwood Professional Services, Inc.; Plano, Northern (TX, KY); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Westwood Professional Services, Inc. seeks an experienced Associate Corporate Counsel in Dallas, TX to support day-to-day business operations across a growing national platform.

The role emphasizes commercial contract drafting, negotiation with clients and subconsultants, and managing contract lifecycle while guiding risk and compliance across the organization. The ideal candidate brings 7–10 years in-house or corporate experience, strong advisory skills, and a track record of collaborating with

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school.
• Active bar membership in good standing.
• 7-10 years of demonstrated legal experience, with significant time in a corporate or in-house environment.
• Substantial experience in commercial contract drafting, negotiation, and lifecycle management.

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 and subconsultant agreements.
• Provide practical, risk-based guidance on contract terms and conditions, conducting thorough risk assessments to support project execution.
• Oversee and manage claims, disputes, subpoenas, and litigation matters, including directing and managing outside counsel.
• Ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws, including government contracting requirements (FAR/DFARS flow-downs, where applicable).
• Translate complex legal concepts into clear, concise, and actionable guidance for non-legal stakeholders.
• Drive the development and implementation of best practices, standard contract templates, playbooks, and process improvements.

Skills

Contract drafting

Negotiation

Risk assessment

Cross-functional collaboration

Legal advisory

Communication

Project management

Outside counsel management

Travel readiness

Education

Juris Doctor (J.D.)

Active bar membership in good standing

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.

Requirements

• 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

About Westwood Professional Services, Inc. (Westwood)

At Westwood, our purpose is to create a better world for people through our work. We transform the energy grid, design resilient infrastructure, and develop communities that will flourish today and for future generations. With over 50 years of experience and a legacy of innovation, we stand at the forefront of our industry, dedicated to understanding the unique needs of the markets we serve. Our approach revolves around people. We are committed to building a culture that attracts, retains, and develops high performers. Our team values relationships, innovation, dedication, initiative, and growth. We believe fostering a collaborative "One Team" mentality yields superior outcomes in everything we do. We customize our technical capabilities and geographic reach to meet our clients where they are and help them realize their vision. We are partners in our clients’ success, driving to provide solutions that make a lasting difference. Safety, sustainability, and operational excellence are not just facets of our work; they are intrinsic to our identity, guiding every decision we make. We are deeply invested in the communities we serve. Through our projects and giving-back initiatives, we enrich the lives of those we serve, engage others within our industry, and create a lasting impact on communities around the world. To us, success transcends the completion of projects; it is reflected in the lives we have positively impacted by our work.

Join us in creating a better world

In 2025, Westwood was recognized as #77 on the ENR Top 500 Design Firms. Additionally, Westwood was ranked #5 for ENR's Top Design Firm for Solar, #6 for Battery Storage, and #3 for Wind (2025). The firm consistently ranks on the industry's top 25 lists and receives recognition for its involvement in award-winning projects nationwide. 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.