Contracts Counsel

HKS, Inc.; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

HKS Dallas seeks a Contracts Counsel to join our Legal team. You will review and negotiate contracts for architectural or design services, draft documents, and manage contract intake. You’ll work with project teams and leadership to identify risks and improve efficiency.

The role requires a JD, bar admission, likely 5+ years of experience, and familiarity with construction law and design contracts. Knowledge of MS Office and Adobe is expected, and licensure in architecture/engineering is

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school.
• Member of the Bar in good standing required.
• Professional degree in architecture or engineering, licensure preferred.
• Typically with 5+ years of relevant legal experience.
• Experience in review and negotiation of contracts.

Responsibilities

• Review and negotiate contracts for architectural or design services.
• Create and draft legal documents as needed and review documents prepared by staff.
• Minimize risks and maximize value in contracts; seek efficiency and cost reductions.
• Collaborate with project teams to review contract scopes and advise on legal/financial risk.
• Manage the contract review system and improve workflows.
• Stay up to date with laws affecting architecture, engineering, and design contracts.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Interpersonal skills

Legal research

Communication

Problem solving

Education

Juris Doctor

Bar admission

Architecture/Engineering licensure (preferred)

Tools

MS Office

Adobe tools

Job description

Overview

HKS Dallas is seeking a Contracts Counsel to join our Legal team.

Overview

HKS Dallas is seeking a Contracts Counsel to join our Legal team. Provides legal support for the review and negotiation of contracts for the delivery of architectural or design services and other business contracts. Learns and applies the firm’s key contract positions, delivers thorough contract review and analysis, and manages contract intake and organization. Communicates clearly with project teams and firm leadership, adapts to shifting priorities, and identifies and resolves problems proactively.

• Provides review and analysis of contractual matters and contract negotiation
• Creates and drafts legal documents as needed, and reviews legal documents prepared by firm staff
• Minimizes risks, maximizes value, and seeks means to improve efficiency and reduce costs
• Collaborates with project teams in reviewing contract scopes and advising on legal and financial risk of contracts
• Manages contract review system and seeks out efficiencies and improved methods for streamlining contract review operations
• Stays up to date and assists in the interpretation of the laws, regulations, and policies affecting the practice of architecture, engineering, and design services contracts
• Assists in the education of firm-wide staff in risk management and contract matters

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor Degree from an accredited law school
• Member of the Bar in good standing required
• Professional degree in architecture or engineering, with licensure and/or design practice experience strongly preferred
• Typically with 5+ years of relevant legal experience
• Experience in MS Office and Adobe tools
• Knowledge of or a strong interest in federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and risk management practices relating to construction law and design professionals
• Excellent work ethic and eagerness to produce high quality, accurate results with natural sense of ownership for projects and duties
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving capabilities
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to interact with all levels of staff
• Strong legal research and presentation skills
• Ability to anticipate, manage, analyze, evaluate, and summarize legal issues and findings, and to present them in a clear and concise manner
• Ability to hold sensitive information with a high level of confidentiality and integrity
• Ability to organize and adapt to changing priorities, manage competing demands, and meet deadlines, with high receptivity to feedback
• Ability to communicate and present ideas in a clear, concise, and professional manner both verbally and in writing
• Ability to operate patiently and effectively in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to collaborate in a team environment and work independently

HKS is an EEO/AA Employer: M/F/Disabled/Veteran