Construction Litigation Counsel

Vertiv Co; Westerville (OH); On-site; USD 140,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Vertiv is seeking an experienced Construction Litigation Counsel to join the Legal Department. The role provides strategic legal counsel for prefabrication projects, focusing on disputes, claims management, litigation oversight, and risk mitigation across the project lifecycle.

The ideal candidate will handle construction-related claims and disputes, interpret complex contracts, and collaborate with project management, procurement, and executive leadership to align legal strategy with business

Qualifications

• J.D. degree and active license to practice law.
• 4–6 years of construction litigation or complex commercial litigation experience.
• Strong understanding of construction contracts.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, with experience drafting claims.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Manage construction-related disputes including claims, litigation, arbitration, mediation, and other ADR proceedings.
• Provide strategic legal advice on contracts, schedule impacts, delays, change orders, and performance disputes.
• Lead investigations and fact development for claims with project teams.
• Manage outside counsel, budgets, pleadings, discovery, and expert engagement.
• Advise stakeholders on dispute avoidance and risk mitigation.
• Review and draft notices, reservation-of-rights letters, and settlement agreements.
• Ensure compliance with notice and documentation requirements across projects.

Skills

Dispute resolution

Litigation management

Negotiation

Strategic thinking

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Juris Doctor (J.D.)

Bar admission in Ohio preferred

Job description

We are seeking an experienced Construction Litigation Counsel to join our Legal Department. This role will provide strategic legal counsel and support for complex prefabrication projects, with a primary focus on dispute resolution, claims management, litigation oversight, and risk mitigation. The successful candidate will partner closely with project management, procurement, commercial, engineering, and executive leadership teams to proactively identify legal risks, manage disputes, and develop strategies that protect the company's business objectives throughout the project lifecycle.

The ideal candidate will have significant experience handling construction-related claims, litigation, arbitration, mediation, and dispute avoidance strategies, as well as interpreting and enforcing complex commercial and construction agreements.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage construction-related disputes, including claims, litigation, arbitration, mediation, and other alternative dispute resolution proceedings.
• Provide strategic legal advice regarding construction contracts, project execution issues, schedule impacts, delays, change orders, differing site conditions, warranty claims, and performance disputes.
• Lead investigations and factual development for claims and disputes, working closely with project teams and business stakeholders.
• Manage outside counsel and consultants, including litigation strategy, budgets, pleadings, discovery, expert witness engagement, and case resolution.
• Evaluate legal and commercial risks arising from project execution and recommend practical business solutions.
• Draft, review, and respond to claims correspondence, notices, reservation-of-rights letters, demand letters, and settlement agreements.
• Support project teams in preserving contractual rights and complying with notice, documentation, and claim requirements.
• Advise internal stakeholders on dispute avoidance strategies and best practices during project performance.
• Analyze evolving construction law developments, industry trends, and regulatory requirements that may impact the business.
• Assist with contract interpretation and enforcement issues arising during project execution.

Required Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school.
• Active license to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction; Ohio licensure or eligibility for admission in Ohio preferred.
• 4-6 years of experience handling construction litigation, construction claims, or complex commercial litigation involving construction projects.
• Strong understanding of construction contracts.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience drafting claims correspondence.
• Strong analytical, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting large-scale industrial, infrastructure, mission-critical, manufacturing or data center projects.
• Prior law firm construction litigation experience and/or in-house construction counsel experience.
• Familiarity with AIA, ConsensusDocs, FIDIC, and other industry-standard construction forms.