Risk Management Staff Attorney

Colliers Engineering & Design; City of Rochester (NY); On-site; USD 75,000 - 124,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance (company paid)

Dental insurance (company paid)

Vision insurance (company paid)

Disability insurance (short & long‑ten

Life insurance

401(k)/Roth

Paid time off (parental & military)

Education reimbursement

Mentorship program

Wellness program

Women’s Organization

Job summary

Colliers Engineering & Design seeks a Risk Management Staff Attorney to support its Rochester, NY office. The role involves reviewing and negotiating complex Design Build contracts, researching licensing requirements across multiple jurisdictions, and assisting with corporate governance and acquisition activity.

You will work with the Risk Management Corporate Counsel and Director to manage enterprise risk, regulatory matters, and policy implementation.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor degree from accredited law school and active license in good standing to practice law in at least one state.
• 2–5 years of experience in private practice, an in-house legal department, or a comparable setting.
• Excellent legal research, drafting, writing, and analytical skills.
• Strong attention to detail, organization, verbal communication, interpersonal effectiveness, and project-management skills.
• Experience with architecture, engineering, or construction contracts is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Negotiate Design Build and Progressive Design Build contracts with oversight from leadership.
• Research and review laws and updates in industry practice of Design Build contracts.
• Support licensing compliance across entities and jurisdictions.
• Research state laws governing engineering, architecture, surveying, and other licenses.
• Assist with acquisitions planning and integration.
• Draft Joint Venture agreements and related research.
• Research contractual obligations and report to support policy implementation.
• Prepare and review memoranda on enterprise risks.
• Advise on risk mitigation related to business operations.
• Monitor licensing legislation and regulatory developments.

Skills

Legal research

Contract negotiation

Regulatory compliance

Drafting memoranda

Cross‑functional collaboration

Education

Juris Doctor

Bar admission

Job description

Overview

Colliers Engineering & Design is seeking a Risk Management Staff Attorney to work in its Rochester, NY office. As an important member of the Risk Management Team, the Staff Attorney will support the Risk Management Corporate Counsel team and the Director of Risk Management on a broad range of legal, regulatory, licensing, corporate governance, acquisition, and contract matters. This role offers substantial opportunity for professional growth and increased responsibility. The Staff Attorney will review and negotiate complex Design Build contracts that have a direct impact on Operations, including legal, financial and business risk; research laws and regulations governing individual and firm licensure across multiple professional disciplines and jurisdictions both in the US and internationally; assist with corporate governance records for affiliated entities; review acquisition due diligence; and help organize information that supports advice on acquisition structure and post-acquisition integration. The Staff Attorney will also analyze Federal and State laws in relation to existing contracts and company policies, research political-contribution requirements, review internal company documents, and negotiate agreements with significant operational impact. Success in the role will require sound judgment, creative problem-solving, and the ability to navigate complex regulatory requirements. The position will directly support the Firm’s ability to operate successfully across numerous states and disciplines. This position offers a hybrid work arrangement; however, candidates must be able to work a minimum of three days per week in our Rochester, NY office to support collaboration and business needs.

Responsibilities

• With oversight of Director of Risk Management and Corporate Counsel, negotiate Design Build and Progressive Design Build contracts, including review of complex and lengthy contracts, seeking equitable terms for design professionals, while balancing business needs. Provide contract summaries to Corporate Counsel and other business leaders.
• Research and review laws and updates in industry practice of Design Build, Progressive Design Build and other contractor held contracts. Finding practical solutions to complex legal issues.
• Support the Corporate Counsel team and the Director of Risk Management in its processes, procedures, and databases that promote firm-licensing compliance across multiple entities, professional disciplines, and jurisdictions.
• Research state laws, regulations, and guidance governing engineering, architecture, surveying, landscape architecture, geology, and other professional licenses.
• Support planning for the professional-licensing implications of acquisitions and the integration of newly acquired companies.
• Assist Corporate Counsel in drafting Joint Venture agreements and other related research.
• Research state and federal law related to contractual obligations and report to Corporate Counsel to support policy implementation and continued compliance.
• Prepare and review legal memoranda relating to enterprise risks as requested by Risk Management Team.
• Advise Risk Management Team on making recommendations supporting risk mitigation as it relates to business operations.
• Monitor pending and enacted legislation, regulations, and other developments relevant to the Firm’s licensing interests and operations.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor degree from accredited law school and active license in good standing to practice law in at least one state.
• 2-5 years of experience in private practice, an in-house legal department, or a comparable setting.
• Excellent legal research, drafting, writing, and analytical skills.
• Strong attention to detail, organization, verbal communication, interpersonal effectiveness, and project-management skills.
• Ability to build collaborative relationships with personnel across business units and corporate functions.
• Experience with architecture, engineering, or construction contracts in a law firm or in-house environment is a plus.
• Ability to read, write, and understand English for purposes of comprehending written job-related communications and verbal instructions and interactions.

Compensation: $74,700 to $124,000 per year (depending on qualifications)

What We Offer

At Colliers Engineering & Design, our people are our most important resource. That’s why we are committed to providing all our employees with a safe, comfortable work environment, potential for career advancement, and the ability to impact society through their projects as well as Company sponsored activities. This dedication begins with supporting a work life balance through a generous compensation package that includes: company paid medical, dental, and vision coverage; paid pregnancy disability leave; short- and long-term disability insurance; life insurance; a company-matched 401(k)/Roth; paid time off that includes parental and military leave; employee referral and professional license bonuses and a straight time policy that compensates exempt employees for billable hours worked in excess of 40 billable hours within a work week. We have also created an internal culture that provides the resources and technology needed to encourage personal and professional growth opportunities through reimbursement for education; a free in-house resource for hundreds of educational and self-enrichment courses; mentorship program; wellness program; Women’s Organization and ongoing philanthropic opportunities.