Legal Counsel - Construction/Environmental

SCS Engineers; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Disability insurance

ESOP

401K with employer match

Annual bonus program

Student debt contribution

Paid holidays

PTO

Paid parental leave

Job summary

SCS Engineers' Long Beach Headquarters seeks a strategic legal advisor and trusted business partner to provide practical guidance, negotiate complex contracts, and help manage risk across the organization. You will support projects from bid to closeout, handle claims and disputes, ensure compliance programs, and work closely with leadership, operations, project management and engineering teams.

Requirements include a Juris Doctor, admission to the California Bar, at least three years of

Qualifications

• JD required.
• California Bar admission required.
• At least three (3) years of legal experience in construction and/or environmental matters.
• Litigation experience is a plus.
• Practical experience as an engineer, contractor, or construction manager is a plus.
• Experience with delay, impact and acceleration claims is a plus, but not required.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and Copilot.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic legal partnership to business unit leaders and project teams.
• Draft, review, and negotiate EPC, design-build, construction, subcontractor, supplier, and professional services agreements.
• Manage claims, disputes, and litigation; provide front-line support for project disputes.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate legal and operational risks across projects; collaborate with risk and insurance teams.
• Provide legal support across all project phases from pre-bid to closeout and support governance/compliance programs.

Skills

Contract negotiations

Risk management

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

California Bar admission

Tools

Microsoft Office

Copilot

Job description

What we are looking for

Join SCS Engineers as a strategic legal advisor and trusted business partner. In this highly visible role, you'll work directly with company leaders to provide practical legal guidance, negotiate complex construction and commercial contracts, support projects from bid to closeout, and help manage risk across the organization.

You’ll play a key role in contract negotiations, claims and dispute resolution, compliance initiatives, and risk management strategies that support the success of a growing national firm. This is an excellent opportunity for a collaborative legal professional who enjoys solving business challenges and making a meaningful impact. You will be based in our Long Beach Headquarters and are expected to be in the office at least 4 days/week.

How you can make an impact

Strategic Legal Partnership

Serve as the primary legal advisor to assigned business unit leaders, including operations, project management, and engineering teams. Provide practical, risk-based guidance aligned with business goals, profitability, and successful project execution.

Contracting & Commercial Transactions

Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of commercial agreements, including EPC, design-build, construction, subcontractor, supplier, and professional services agreements.

Claims, Disputes & Litigation Management

Provide front-line legal support in resolving project disputes, including delay claims, scope disputes, cost overruns, and differing site conditions

Risk Management & Insurance

Identify, assess, and mitigate legal and operational risks across projects. Partner with risk and insurance teams to review coverage, evaluate claims, and manage contract-related risks.

Project Lifecycle Legal Support

Provide legal support across all project phases:

• Pre-bid (RFP review, risk identification)
• Execution (change management, claims support)
• Closeout (final settlements, warranties, dispute resolution)

Corporate Governance & Compliance Programs

Ensure adherence to Company policies and deliver training programs for project teams (contracts, ethics, environmental compliance).

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree required.
• Admission to the California Bar required.
• Minimum of three (3) years of legal experience, with a focus on construction and/or environmental matters required.
• Litigation experience is a plus.
• Practical experience as an engineer, contractor or construction manager is a plus
• Experience with delay, impact and acceleration claims is a plus, but not required.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and Copilot.

Pay Range

USD $150,000.00 - USD $210,000.00 /Yr.

Additional Information

Please note that our pay ranges are determined by several factors, including relevant experience, internal pay equity, and location. They do not include any of the amazing benefits of being an employee-owner, which are listed below. SCS is building a world where environmental systems and infrastructure strengthen the health, safety and resilience of communities - from reducing methane emissions at landfills to producing alternative energy, from repurposing contaminated properties to sequestering carbon. As a 100% employee-owned firm, we bring a long-term perspective, personal ownership and shared success to everything we do. We live our values every day: We care. We are a team. We are tenacious. Join us and be part of a team where your work has real impact - on the world and on your own growth. As a growing firm, we offer excellent opportunities for career advancement and a comprehensive package, including:

• Medical, Dental, Vision, Life and Disability Insurance
• 100% employer- funded Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) and 401K including employer match
• Annual Bonus Program
• Student Debt Employer Contribution Program
• Paid holidays, PTO and Paid Parental Leave

SCS Engineers is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). SCS provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran or disabled status. If you have questions, difficulty using our online system and/or you need an accommodation due to a disability then please contact us about your interest in employment at [e-mail]. Pursuant to the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance and the California Fair Chance Act, SCS does not conduct criminal background checks until after a conditional job offer has been extended. All qualified Applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment. You can find a list of job duties of the specific job position you have applied, which SCS reasonably believes that criminal history may have a direct, adverse and negative relationship that could lead to the withdrawal of a conditional offer of employment after background checks are completed.

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