Counsel

JE Dunn Construction; Kansas City (MO); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Professional Non-Union

Job summary

JE Dunn Construction in the Kansas City region seeks a Counsel to provide broad and in-depth legal support across our construction projects. You will prepare, review, and negotiate prime contracts and subcontracts, conduct legal research, and help develop policies to minimize risk, aligning with the company’s strategy and values.

The ideal candidate has at least 5 years of construction law experience, a Juris Doctor, and a license in at least one state.

Qualifications

• JD required with law license in at least one state region.
• 5+ years of construction law experience required.
• Experience with claims, litigation, and risk management preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal support to the region; review and negotiate contracts.
• Perform legal research, compliance audits, and policy development.
• Advise on claims, litigation, and disputes; manage outside counsel.

Skills

Contract drafting

Contract review

Legal research

Regulatory compliance

Communication

Legal writing

Team collaboration

Presentation skills

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Bachelor's degree in construction management/engineering (preferred)

Equivalent relevant experience accepted

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Best People + Right Culture. These are the driving forces behind JE Dunn’s success. By hiring inspired people, giving them interesting and challenging work, enabling them with innovative tools, and letting them share in the company’s rewards, we’ve found a sustainable way to grow in our industry for the last 100+ years. Our diverse teams around the country strive to enrich lives through inspired people and places everyday, and we need inspired people like you to join us in building authentic partnerships.

Role Summary

The Counsel will provide broad and in-depth legal support to the region or area to which they are. This position will prepare, review, and negotiate contracts and other documents and prepare legal evidence and arguments to protect the Company’s interests and minimize legal risk. This position will also perform legal research, compliance audits, and develop policies. All activities will be performed in support of the strategy, vision and values of JE Dunn.

Key Role Responsibilities - Core

• Provides legal support on routine matters to the region to which they are assigned.
• Reviews project procurement documents and assists with proposal legal review.
• Prepares draft prime contracts and subcontracts with assistance of the project team.
• Provides counsel and guidance regarding transactions, programs, policies and procedures.
• Researches and prepares appropriate and effective draft legal opinions, memoranda and other documents.
• Interprets laws, rulings and regulations for relevance and to help the Company prepare clear and effective policies and practices to minimize legal risk.
• Assists with management of claims and litigation. Provides assistance to gather and prepare evidence to formulate defense or to initiate legal actions.
• Implements litigation hold memoranda.
• Leads, supports and promotes a culture of diversity and inclusion within JE Dunn. Understands JE Dunn’s policy of non-discrimination and ensures positive, proactive implementation throughout the organization.

Key Role Responsibilities - Additional Core

• Judges the merits of major claims filed against or on behalf of the region, and works with the appropriate executive and project team to define a strategic defense and approve settlements of disputes where warranted.
• Advises the assigned region concerning claim liability, advisability of prosecuting or defending lawsuits, and legal rights and obligations.
• Gathers and prepares evidence to formulate defense or to initiate legal actions.
• Helps manage outside counsel.
• Monitors legal proceedings.
• Assists with development and/or training on legal topics.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Ability to perform work accurately, completely and in a timely manner
• Communication skills, verbal and written – Advanced
• Ability to follow-up on inquiries in a timely manner
• Analytical skills, with ability to independently analyze problems and provide the appropriate solution - Advanced
• Ability to conduct effective presentations - Advanced
• Proficiency in MS Office – Intermediate
• Legal writing skills - Advanced
• Ability to perform legal research - Advanced
• Ability to build relationships and collaborate within a team, internally and externally - Advanced

Education

• Doctorate degree - Juris Doctor (Required)
• Bachelor’s degree in construction management, architecture, engineering or other technical field (Preferred)
• In lieu of the above requirements, equivalent relevant experience will be considered.

Experience

• 5+ years legal experience, practicing construction law (Required)
• Construction litigation with large law firm (Preferred)
• In lieu of the above requirements, experience in a related practice, such as real estate, may be considered.

Certifications

Law License in at least one state in the region to which the employee is assigned (Required)

Successful completion of company training and role-specific professional development coursework, within required timeframe (Required)

Working Environment

• Must be able to lift up to 10 pounds
• May require periods of travel and/or relocation
• Must be willing to work non-traditional hours to meet business needs
• Normal office environment
• Frequent activity: Sitting, Viewing Computer Screen
• Frequent activity: Standing, Walking, Bending, Reaching above Shoulder

Benefits Information

The benefits package aligned to this position is Professional Non-Union.

This role is expected to accept applications for at least three business days and may continue to be posted until a qualified applicant is selected or the position has been cancelled.

Equal Opportunity / Diversity Statement

JE Dunn Construction is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and it is our policy to provide equal opportunity to all people without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, marital status, veteran status, age, disability, pregnancy, genetic information, citizenship status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other legally protected category. JE Dunn Construction is a background screening, drug-free workplace.

JE Dunn provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation in order to apply for a job, please submit your request to [e-mail]

JE Dunn Construction Company does not accept unsolicited resumes from search firms or agencies. Any resume submitted to any employee of JE Dunn Construction without a prior written search agreement will be considered unsolicited and the property of JE Dunn Construction Company. Please, no phone calls or emails.

Visa Sponsorship

• For this opportunity, JE Dunn Construction will not sponsor an applicant for work visa status or employment authorization, nor will we offer any immigration-related support for this position (including but not limited to H-1B, F-1 OPT, F-1 STEM OPT, F-1 CPT, J-1, TN-1 or TN-2, E-3, O-1, or future sponsorship for U.S. lawful permanent residence status.)***