Corporate Counsel

Larson Maddox; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Larson Maddox is seeking an attorney to act as a key legal advisor to business leaders, project teams, and operational stakeholders in California. The role involves guiding on contracts, claims, risk management, and project execution matters.

The candidate will draft, review, and negotiate construction and commercial agreements, support projects from proposal to closeout, and advise on change orders and contractual obligations while coordinating with risk management and outside counsel as needed.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) and active California Bar membership.
• Experience supporting construction, engineering, environmental, infrastructure, or related project-driven industries.
• Strong background drafting, reviewing, and negotiating commercial and construction-related contracts.
• Experience advising business leaders and project teams on legal strategy and risk management.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a trusted legal advisor to project management, operations, engineering, and business leadership teams.
• Draft, review, negotiate, and interpret construction and commercial agreements.
• Support projects from proposal through completion and closeout.
• Review RFPs, contract terms, and project documentation to identify and mitigate risks.
• Advise stakeholders on change orders, scope modifications, and contractual obligations.
• Assist with resolution of disputes involving delays, cost overruns, and other claims.
• Partner with risk management and insurance teams to evaluate exposure and develop risk mitigation strategies.
• Manage outside counsel and support litigation, arbitration, mediation, and other dispute resolution.
• Develop practical legal solutions balancing business objectives with risk management.
• Provide training on contract administration, compliance, ethics, and legal best practices.

Skills

Contract negotiation

Risk assessment

Stakeholder mgmt

Construction contracts

Legal writing

Cross-functional partner

Education

J.D. degree (CA Bar)

California Bar admission

Job description

Our client is a growing engineering, environmental, and project services organization seeking an attorney to serve as a key legal advisor to business leaders, project teams, and operational stakeholders. This role offers the opportunity to work directly with decision-makers across the organization, providing practical legal guidance on contracts, claims, risk management, and project execution matters.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as a trusted legal advisor to project management, operations, engineering, and business leadership teams.
• Draft, review, negotiate, and interpret a wide variety of construction and commercial agreements.
• Support projects from proposal and pursuit stage through completion and closeout.
• Review RFPs, contract terms, and project documentation to identify and mitigate legal and commercial risks.
• Advise stakeholders on change orders, scope modifications, project execution challenges, and contractual obligations.
• Assist with the resolution of project disputes involving delays, cost overruns, performance issues, differing site conditions, and other construction-related claims.
• Partner with risk management and insurance teams to evaluate exposure and develop risk mitigation strategies.
• Manage outside counsel and support litigation, arbitration, mediation, and other dispute resolution matters as needed.
• Develop practical legal solutions that balance business objectives with appropriate risk management.
• Provide training and guidance on contract administration, compliance, ethics, and legal best practices.
• Support corporate governance initiatives, company policies, and other legal department projects.
• Advise leadership on strategic initiatives and legal risks affecting business operations.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) and active California Bar membership.
• Experience supporting construction, engineering, environmental, infrastructure, or related project-driven industries.
• Strong background drafting, reviewing, and negotiating commercial and construction-related contracts.
• Experience advising business leaders and project teams on legal strategy and risk management.
• Familiarity with construction claims, dispute resolution, and litigation management.
• Strong communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to work cross-functionally and provide practical business-focused counsel.

Preferred Experience

• EPC, design-build, professional services, consulting, subcontractor, supplier, or engineering-related agreements.
• Construction claims involving delays, disruptions, acceleration, scope changes, differing site conditions, and cost overruns.
• Experience working with contractors, engineering firms, environmental services companies, or project-based organizations.
• Knowledge of insurance, indemnity, warranties, limitation of liability provisions, and commercial risk allocation.
• Prior in-house experience supporting operational and project teams.