Corporate Counsel

Haydon; Phoenix (AZ); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Haydon in Phoenix, AZ, seeks a Corporate Counsel to partner with our General Counsel and lead broad legal support across contracts, construction matters, risk management, and governance. You will provide practical business-focused advice, guide risk assessment, and ensure regulatory compliance across departments.

You will collaborate with Operations, HR, Finance, Risk, and Executive Leadership to resolve complex issues, review and negotiate major agreements, and help shape company policy and

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from ABA-accredited law school.
• Active admission to the State Bar of Arizona or eligible to practice as in-house counsel.
• Minimum 3–5 years of legal experience in construction or commercial contracts.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal advice on contracts, procurement, and commercial agreements.
• Advise on construction law, claims, risk management, and regulatory compliance.
• Draft, review, and negotiate owner/subcontractor contracts and NDAs.
• Support governance, employment matters, and corporate policies.
• Manage outside counsel on litigation and regulatory matters.
• Conduct legal research and prepare guidance for leadership.

Skills

Construction law

Contract review

Negotiation

Risk management

Regulatory compliance

Litigation support

Corporate governance

Legal research

Communication

In-house counsel

Education

Juris Doctor (J.D.)

Arizona bar admission

Tools

Microsoft Office

LexisNexis/Westlaw

Job description

JOB PURPOSE / POSITION OVERVIEW

The Corporate Counsel provides legal counsel and support across a broad range of business and operational matters while partnering closely with the General Counsel to manage the Company's legal affairs. This position serves as a trusted legal advisor to internal stakeholders by identifying legal risks, developing practical business solutions, and ensuring compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

The Corporate Counsel advises and supports all aspects of the Company's operations, including contract review and negotiation, construction law, claims management, litigation oversight, employment matters, corporate governance, regulatory compliance, policy development, and risk management. Working as a legal generalist, this position collaborates with business leaders to proactively protect the Company's interests while advancing strategic business objectives.

SITE / TEAM OVERVIEW

The Corporate Counsel works closely with the General Counsel and partners with Operations, Project Management, Safety, Human Resources, Finance, Risk Management, and Executive Leadership to identify risks, resolve complex legal issues, and facilitate sound business decisions.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Legal Counsel & Business Partnership

• Provide timely legal advice and practical business guidance to management regarding legal rights, obligations, and business risks.
• Serve as a trusted legal advisor to business leaders by balancing legal risk with operational and strategic objectives.
• Build collaborative relationships with internal stakeholders and external business partners to facilitate sound legal and business decisions.
• Communicate complex legal concepts in a clear, practical, and business-oriented manner.

Contract Review & Negotiation

• Draft, review, negotiate, and interpret a wide variety of legal agreements, including owner contracts, subcontracts, purchase orders, vendor and service agreements, professional service agreements, non-disclosure agreements, licensing agreements, settlement agreements, and other commercial contracts.
• Advise project teams and business leaders on contractual obligations, risk allocation, and contract interpretation throughout the lifecycle of construction projects.
• Develop and maintain contract templates and standard legal language to improve consistency and reduce organizational risk.

Risk Management & Compliance

• Identify, assess, and mitigate legal risks while ensuring compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and industry requirements.
• Review and analyze new and existing laws and regulations impacting the construction industry and communicate potential business impacts to leadership.
• Evaluate construction claims and disputes, providing strategic legal recommendations to resolve issues and minimize organizational risk.
• Provide legal guidance regarding workers' compensation, insurance claims, OSHA matters, and other risk management issues in partnership with Safety, and Risk Management

Construction Law & Claims Management

• Support project teams in resolving construction-related legal issues, including contract administration, change order disputes, payment disputes, mechanic's liens, bond claims, construction defect matters, workers' compensation, insurance-related issues, and other project-related claims.
• Provide legal analysis and strategic recommendations regarding construction claims, dispute resolution, and risk mitigation.
• Assist in evaluating potential claims and developing strategies to minimize legal exposure.

Litigation & Outside Counsel Management

• Coordinate and manage outside counsel on litigation, arbitration, mediation, administrative proceedings, workers' compensation matters, and other legal proceedings.
• Monitor litigation progress, budgets, and case strategy while ensuring alignment with Company objectives.
• Assist with document preservation and collection, discovery, witness preparation, and other litigation support activities.

Employment & Corporate Governance

• Partner with Human Resources to provide legal guidance regarding employment matters, workplace investigations, accommodations, employee relations, and compliance with employment laws.
• Assist with corporate governance matters, entity maintenance, regulatory filings, and other corporate legal requirements.
• Review Company policies and procedures and recommend revisions to maintain legal compliance and operational effectiveness.

Legal Research & Policy Development

• Conduct legal research, analyze complex legal issues, and prepare legal memoranda, recommendations, and guidance for leadership.
• Develop, review, and update Company policies, procedures, and legal resources to support compliance and operational excellence.
• Develop and deliver legal education and training for leadership and employees on relevant legal topics.

Other Duties

• Maintain the highest level of professionalism, integrity, confidentiality, and ethical standards when handling sensitive legal matters.
• Perform other duties, special projects, and responsibilities as assigned by the General Counsel.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE REQUIRED (KSA’s, Education, YOE)

Education

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an American Bar Association (ABA) accredited law school.
• Active member in good standing of the State Bar of Arizona, or eligible to practice in Arizona under Arizona Supreme Court Rule 38 (In-House Counsel).

Experience

• Minimum three (3) to five (5) years of legal experience as a practicing attorney.
• Experience representing construction companies, contractors, developers, engineering firms, or similar commercial organizations.
• Experience reviewing and negotiating commercial contracts.
• Experience analyzing legal risk and providing practical business-focused legal advice.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong knowledge of construction law, contract law, and commercial transactions.
• Working knowledge of construction claims, insurance, risk transfer, employment law, corporate governance, and regulatory compliance.
• Excellent legal research, writing, analytical, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Excellent judgment and ability to balance legal risk with business objectives.
• Ability to communicate complex legal concepts in a practical, business-oriented manner.
• High level of professionalism, integrity, discretion, and confidentiality.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office and legal research platforms.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Five or more years of in-house counsel or construction law experience.
• Experience supporting mergers and acquisitions, real estate transactions, or corporate restructuring.
• Experience with litigation management and oversight of outside counsel.
• Familiarity with OSHA, employment law, public contracting, procurement, licensing, environmental compliance, and corporate governance.
• Experience supporting mergers and acquisitions, real estate transactions, or corporate restructuring is a plus.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS / WORKING CONDITIONS

• Primarily performed in an office or project office environment
• May occasionally visit active construction project sites.
• Frequent sitting, computer use, phone communication, and document handling
• May occasionally lift or move office materials up to 25 pounds.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with changing priorities and deadlines.
• Ability to wear PPE when visiting job sites.
• Ability to safely navigate uneven terrain, stairs, and active construction environments while visiting project sites.