Construction & Design Associate

MKNetwork Inc; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 205,000 - 235,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) retirement savings plan

Flexible time off

Up to 15 weeks of paid parental leave

Job summary

A leading legal services firm is seeking a Construction & Design Associate in Seattle, WA. The ideal candidate will have 2-3 years of construction law or litigation experience. Responsibilities include providing legal counsel, drafting agreements, and managing litigation activities. The role offers a competitive salary ranging from $205,000 to $235,000, along with extensive benefits including medical insurance, dental, vision, 401(k), and flexible time off. This is an excellent opportunity to advance your career in a supportive environment.

Qualifications

• 2-3 years of experience in construction law, litigation, or government contracting.
• Exceptional communication, writing, and analytical skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal counsel on construction and design-related matters.
• Draft and negotiate construction agreements and related documents.
• Support clients with claim preparation and mitigation strategies.
• Handle litigation activities, including discovery and motions.
• Collaborate with senior attorneys to deliver high-quality legal services.

Skills

Construction law

Litigation

Government contracting

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Writing skills

Education

Juris Doctor (JD) from an ABA-accredited law school

Active Washington State Bar admission

Job description

Our client with locations across the United States and in Canada, Europe and the Asia-Pacific region, provides an integrated, proactive approach to their clients’ legal and business needs around the globe.

They are currently seeking a talented Construction & Design Associate with 2–3 years of construction law / litigation or government contracting experience to join their growing Construction and Design Practice Group in Seattle, WA. This team handles a diverse portfolio of matters, representing public and private owners, general contractors, and engineers across multiple stages of project development.

As a member of the practice group, you will support clients with pre-project planning and risk assessment, contract drafting, claim management, dispute preservation, and litigation proceedings. This is an excellent opportunity to build your career within a collaborative, high-performing legal team.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal counsel on construction and design-related matters.
• Draft and negotiate construction agreements and related documents.
• Support clients with contract interpretation, claim preparation, and mitigation strategies.
• Handle litigation activities, including discovery, motions, and dispute resolution.
• Work closely with public and private sector clients, general contractors, and engineering firms.
• Collaborate with senior attorneys to deliver high-quality legal services across project lifecycles.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an ABA-accredited law school.
• 2–3 years of experience in construction law, litigation, or government contracting.
• Active Washington State Bar admission.
• Exceptional communication, writing, and analytical skills.

Compensation

Salary Range: $205,000 – $235,000, depending on depth of experience.

• Option to elect a lower billable-hours track with a proportional salary adjustment.
• Eligibility for the firm’s associate bonus program.

Benefits & Firm Culture

Our client offers benefits that are available to attorneys working 17+ hours/week along with their dependents, including spouses and domestic partners regardless of gender.

• Comprehensive medical insurance with coverage for infertility, gender-affirming care, behavioral health, and access to virtual providers;
• Dental insurance;
• Vision insurance;
• 401(k) retirement savings plan;
• Basic and optional life insurance;
• Short and long-term disability;
• Flexible time off;
• Up to 15 weeks of paid parental leave with up to an additional 6-8 weeks of paid short-term disability for attorneys who give birth;
• Paid holidays;
• Adoption assistance;
• Healthcare, dependent care, and transportation pre-tax reimbursement accounts;
• Back-up child and elder care program;
• Education and college advising program;
• Virtual tutoring;
• Wellbeing programs and activities;
• Mass transit program (certain offices);
• Travel assistance program;
• 24/7 employee assistance program with access to five confidential visits with a licensed counselor at no cost;
• Where applicable, attorneys may be eligible for a discretionary bonus and/or a productivity bonus, clerkship bonus, relocation expenses, and bar review expenses;
• First-year associates are also eligible for a salary advance and bar review stipend.

Some benefits are subject to eligibility requirements and may be taxable.