Construction Counsel

The Berg Group; Chaska (MN); On-site; USD 125,000 - 145,000; Full time

Job summary

The Berg Group seeks a Construction Counsel to be a key legal partner to project teams and leadership, providing practical, business‑oriented advice on contracts, risk management, and dispute resolution throughout the lifecycle of construction projects.

This role collaborates with operations and internal stakeholders and coordinates with outside counsel on complex matters, drafting, reviewing, and negotiating subcontracts, supplier agreements, NDAs, and client contracts to align with company

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor from an accredited law school.
• Active bar admission in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.
• 3–5 years of legal experience, preferably in construction.
• Experience drafting and negotiating contracts; exposure to construction claims or disputes a plus.
• Familiarity with insurance, surety, and risk management concepts preferred.
• Proven ability to work cross-functionally with operations and business teams.
• Experience managing outside counsel and legal budgets preferred.
• Must be able to travel on an as needed basis.

Responsibilities

• Draft, review, and negotiate subcontracts, supplier agreements, NDAs, and client contracts to ensure proper risk allocation and alignment with company standards.
• Identify and evaluate legal and contractual risks during project setup; provide guidance to mitigate exposure before execution.
• Support development and improvement of standard contract templates, legal processes, and internal controls to drive consistency and efficiency.
• Partner with project teams to manage contract administration throughout the project lifecycle, including change orders, claims preparation, and dispute support.
• Assist with dispute resolution strategies, including coordination with outside counsel on litigation, arbitration, and other proceedings.
• Provide ongoing, business-oriented legal guidance to operations and leadership on contractual obligations, risk exposure, and day-to-day project issues.
• Coordinate with project team and client to obtain final payment and open change orders 30 days before job completion and obtain final payment within 60 days of job completion.

Skills

Contract drafting

Contract negotiation

Risk management

Cross-functional collaboration

Outside counsel management

Travel flexibility

Legal budgeting

Communication

Attention to detail

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Active U.S. bar admission

Job description

Summary

The Construction Counsel serves as a key legal partner to project teams and leadership, providing practical, business-oriented advice on contracts, risk management, and dispute resolution. This role works closely with operations and internal stakeholders across the lifecycle of construction projects, while coordinating closely with external counsel on complex matters.

• Draft, review, and negotiate subcontracts, supplier agreements, NDAs, and client contracts to ensure proper risk allocation and alignment with company standards.
• Identify and evaluate legal and contractual risks during project setup; provide guidance to mitigate exposure before execution.
• Support development and improvement of standard contract templates, legal processes, and internal controls to drive consistency and efficiency.

Summary

The Construction Counsel serves as a key legal partner to project teams and leadership, providing practical, business-oriented advice on contracts, risk management, and dispute resolution. This role works closely with operations and internal stakeholders across the lifecycle of construction projects, while coordinating closely with external counsel on complex matters.

Essential Functions

Contracting / Risk Management

• Draft, review, and negotiate subcontracts, supplier agreements, NDAs, and client contracts to ensure proper risk allocation and alignment with company standards.
• Identify and evaluate legal and contractual risks during project setup; provide guidance to mitigate exposure before execution.
• Support development and improvement of standard contract templates, legal processes, and internal controls to drive consistency and efficiency.

Project Support / Claims & Execution

• Partner with project teams to manage contract administration throughout the project lifecycle, including change orders, claims preparation, and dispute support.
• Assist with dispute resolution strategies, including coordination with outside counsel on litigation, arbitration, and other proceedings.
• Provide ongoing, business-oriented legal guidance to operations and leadership on contractual obligations, risk exposure, and day-to-day project issues.
• Coordinate with project team and client to obtain final payment and open change orders 30 days before job completion and obtain final payment within 60 days of job completion.

Insurance / Compliance

• Coordinate with internal teams, brokers, and insurers on claims, coverage issues, and surety-related matters to protect company interests.
• Ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and internal policies across all projects.

Legal Operations / Training

• Support management of outside counsel, including matter tracking, document coordination, and oversight of assigned legal matters.
• Assist in training project teams and operational staff on contract fundamentals, risk awareness, and industry best practices.

Qualifications

Experience and Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school preferred
• Active bar admission in at least one U.S. jurisdiction preferred
• 3-5 years of legal experience, preferably in construction
• Experience drafting and negotiating contracts; exposure to construction claims or disputes is a plus
• Familiarity with insurance, surety, and risk management concepts preferred
• Proven ability to work cross-functionally with operations and business teams
• Experience managing outside counsel and legal budgets preferred
• Must be able to travel on an as needed basis

Key Competencies

• Practical, solutions-oriented legal judgment
• Strong drafting and issue-spotting skills
• Ability to balance legal risk with business objectives
• Effective communication with both legal and non-legal stakeholders
• Organized, detail-oriented, and responsive

Sedentary Work

• Sedentary work involves lifting no more than 10 - 15 pounds at a time and occasionally lifting or carrying.
• Although a sedentary job is defined as one which involves sitting, a certain amount of walking and standing is often necessary in carrying out job duties.
• Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required occasionally, and other sedentary criteria are met.

Compensation Information

• Annualized Salary Range: $125,000-$145,000
• 401(k) with match, medical, dental, vision & PTO

The Berg Group is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment 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.