Attorney (Temp)

Buro Happold; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 63,000 - 84,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fully remote opportunity

Global network of experts

Learning and development opportunities

Job summary

Buro Happold’s Commercial and Legal team in the USA is hiring an Associate Attorney for a temporary contract through May 2027. This role offers fully remote work with flexible hybrid options and a chance to impact a broad range of legal and commercial matters within North America.

You will provide pragmatic legal and business advice on contracts, governance, and policies, collaborate with finance and HR, and help improve processes.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor from ABA accredited law school required.
• Admission to a state Bar required.
• 3 years of relevant construction law experience preferred.
• Experience with corporate governance and routine housekeeping documents (resolutions, operating agreements, bylaws).
• Knowledge of state and municipal business licensing requirements for engineering firms across the US.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research on legal and compliance questions arising in day-to-day operations.
• Advise on governance policies, procedures, and corporate housekeeping items.
• Draft and review contracts including design and construction, subconsultancy, NDAs, novations, and framework agreements.
• Negotiate and finalize contractual terms for design and construction projects.
• Advise on key contractual terms to support risk management and compliance.
• Collaborate with Finance and HR to review documents and vendor/agency agreements.
• Develop systems and procedures to improve team efficiency; AI/automation interest encouraged.
• Support other legal team members on claims and disputes with insurers and external counsel.

Skills

Juris Doctor

Bar admission

3 years construction law

Corporate governance

Contract review/negotiation

Licensing/compliance

Collaborative teamwork

Agile/adaptability

Excellent communication

Education

Juris Doctor (ABA accredited)

Job description

Job Reference burohappold/TP/132643/2584

Number of Positions:

1

Contract Type:

Fixed Term Contract

$46.00 - $61.00

Working Hours:

40

Location:

Remote

Closing Date:

04/11/2026

Job Category:

Legal and Commercial

Business Unit:

USA

Associate Attorney (Temporary Contract Role Through May 2027)

Buro Happold's Commercial and Legal team has an exciting opportunity for an Attorney to join our niche, yet growing, legal team in North America! If you're seeking a role that offers a better work-life balance, flexible hybrid and/or remote working arrangements that's unmatched in the current US market, this is the perfect opportunity for you.

Who We Are

Buro Happold is a global engineering and advisory firm committed to creating sustainable, resilient, and equitable environments. Our interdisciplinary teams work at the intersection of design, strategy, and technical excellence to solve complex challenges and deliver meaningful change.

Here at Buro Happold, Expect the Exceptional.

From the projects you will work on to the clients we work with. From career-defining opportunities to an inclusive and diverse practice where we all contribute to a more equitable world. From our reputation to our relationships. Wherever your Buro Happold career takes you, it'll be anything but ordinary.

Your Next Role

This position is being offered as a temporary contract role with an anticipated duration through May 2027. The role has been established to support ongoing business needs and provides an opportunity to make a meaningful impact across a broad range of legal and commercial matters within Buro Happold's North American operations.

In this role, you will provide pragmatic, commercially sound legal and business advice to the business, while developing relationships with a variety of internal stakeholders and external collaborators. Importantly, you will have the opportunity to apply your legal acumen to address a wide range of issues across all intersections of the business.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct research on legal and compliance questions that arise in day-to-day business operations.
• Familiarize yourself with Buro Happold's corporate governance rules, policies, and procedures to effectively advise the business on legal and strategic matters aligned with company objectives.
• Draft and review legal documents relating to internal policies and procedures, corporate housekeeping, and other compliance matters. This may include periodic updates to Buro Happold's standard templates, such as proposal documents and related materials.
• Review, draft, negotiate, and finalize a wide range of contracts, including but not limited to design and construction agreements, subconsultancy agreements, non-disclosure agreements, novation agreements, letters of reliance and intent, framework agreements, joint venture agreements, and teaming agreements.
• Advise relevant parties on key contractual terms in design and consultancy agreements on a project-by-project basis to support effective contract compliance and risk management.
• Work closely with other business services teams, including Finance and Human Resources, to review documents, vendor agreements, and agency agreements as required.
• Assist in developing and implementing systems and procedures to enhance the efficiency of the Commercial and Legal Team and the broader business. An interest in AI and automation is welcome and encouraged.
• Provide support to other members of the legal team in connection with claims and disputes, including coordination with insurers and external counsel.

Your skills and experience

• Juris Doctor from an ABA accredited law school.
• Admission to a state Bar
• 3 years of relevant experience in construction law, preferably working with design professionals.
• Experience with general corporate governance, ability to perform routine corporate housekeeping, including, but not limited to, drafting corporate resolutions, operating agreements, bylaws, and the like.
• Knowledge of state and municipal business licensing, including, but not limited to, general business and tax licensures and those certain state and municipal requirements specific to engineering firms across the US.
• Understanding and ability to review, negotiate and ultimately finalize a wide range of contracts applicable to the design and construction industry.
• Exercise sound, pragmatic judgment in providing legal advice to the business.
• Ability to be agile under pressure and multi-task based on the current needs of the business. A true team player and ability to prioritize is critical!
• Excellent interpersonal, organizational, written and verbal skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively and liaise with other business service teams when necessary to ensure the overall aim of the Buro Happold strategy can be always met and taking an inclusive, joined-up approach to tackling issues.

What we offer

• Hourly range of $46.00 - $61.00. This will be determined based on factors such as geographic location, skills, education, and/or experience.
• Fully remote opportunity
• Access to a global network of experts.
• Learning and development opportunities.

Ready for something a little less ordinary?

A place for everyone

Buro Happold values an individual's flexible approaches to working patterns as an important part of how you work and achieve balance. We welcome applications from those who are seeking flexibility in their careers.

Our exceptional portfolio of projects is the result of the diversity of thought, identities, backgrounds, and experiences that shape us.Appreciating each other’s differences is key, we want employees to feel they don’t have to mask elements of their identity to thrive.

We are working to change the lack of representation of marginalised groups in the built environment. We are particularly keen to hear from anyone who feels they are underrepresented in the industry. We have much to learn from one another.Embracing differences allows us to develop the most innovative and elegant solutions.

Please let us know if there are any adjustments we could make to the application process to make it easier and more comfortable for you. Contact [e-mail] so we can work with you to support you throughout your application.