Senior Corporate Counsel - Contracts & Risk

Talent Wave Associates; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Talent Wave Associates is seeking an experienced Corporate Counsel to focus on contracts, risk management, and legal matters across architecture and engineering services. The role involves negotiating commercial agreements, advising on contractual risk, and supporting claims and dispute resolution.

Experience with AIA documents and professional services is highly valued. The ideal candidate has a JD, 4+ years of relevant experience, and a background in architecture/engineering sectors, either

Qualifications

• JD from an accredited law school is required.
• 4+ years of relevant legal experience in corporate or private practice.
• Experience supporting architecture/engineering/design or professional services firms.
• Experience reviewing and negotiating commercial and professional services agreements.

Responsibilities

• Review, draft, negotiate, and advise on commercial and professional services agreements.
• Identify contractual and business risks and provide practical guidance to internal stakeholders.
• Review project-related and consultant agreements and advise on insurance requirements.
• Develop and maintain contract templates and related legal documentation.
• Partner with senior leadership and outside counsel on legal matters.
• Provide guidance to contract administration and support professionals.
• Review and negotiate lease agreements and other commercial documents.
• Assist with claims, disputes, and liability exposure related to contracts.

Skills

Contract negotiation

Risk assessment

Drafting and reviewing

Stakeholder communication

Legal research

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Job description

Are you an experienced attorney with a passion for contracts and risk management in the architectural and engineeringsectors?

About the Role

This position will have a significant focus on contracts, risk management, and legal matters associated with architecture and engineering services. Working closely with senior legal leadership and business stakeholders, the Corporate Counsel will review and negotiate commercial agreements, advise internal teams on contractual and risk-related matters, support claims and dispute resolution, and help ensure consistent contracting practices across the organization. The ideal candidate will have experience within the architecture and engineering industry, either as in-house counsel or through private practice representing design, engineering, construction, or other professional services organizations. Experience working with AIA contract documents and negotiating professional services agreements is particularly important.

Key Responsibilities

• Review, draft, negotiate, and advise on a variety of commercial and professional services agreements.
• Identify and evaluate contractual and business risks and provide practical guidance to internal stakeholders.
• Review and negotiate architecture, engineering, consultant, and other project-related agreements.
• Provide guidance regarding contractual insurance requirements and consultant compliance with insurance obligations.
• Support the development, maintenance, and consistent use of contract templates, forms, and related legal documentation.
• Partner with senior legal leadership and outside counsel on legal, contractual, and risk-related matters.
• Provide guidance and oversight to contract administration and other legal support professionals.
• Review and negotiate commercial lease agreements and related documentation.
• Review and advise on NDAs, vendor agreements, lien waivers, data releases, and other commercial documents.
• Assist with claims, disputes, and other matters involving contractual or professional liability exposure.
• Build effective working relationships with business leaders and internal stakeholders while providing responsive, practical legal support.

Minimum Requirements

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school and active license to practice law.
• 4+ years of relevant legal experience gained within a corporate legal department and/or private practice.
• Experience supporting clients within the architecture, engineering, construction, design, or related professional services industries.
• Experience reviewing and negotiating commercial and professional services agreements.
• Working knowledge of American Institute of Architects (AIA) contract documents.
• Understanding of contractual risk issues relevant to AECand professional services organizations.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, drafting, and negotiation skills.
• Ability to independently manage multiple priorities and matters with limited supervision.
• Strong judgment and ability to handle confidential and sensitive information.
• Demonstrated ability to develop productive relationships with internal clients, business leaders, and external partners.
• Experience supporting senior executives and legal leadership.

We're proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and are committed to fostering an inclusive, people-first recruiting experience.