Senior Counsel, Claims and Litigation

Bechtel Global Corporation; Reston (VA); Hybrid; USD 217,000 - 313,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision plans

Paid time off 160 hours annually

Nine paid holidays

Parental leave

401K with matching and profit sharing

Job summary

Bechtel, Reston/Houston based energy and infrastructure leader, seeks a senior legal advisor to manage complex disputes across projects and operations. You will develop strategies, advise executives, and oversee claims, arbitration, and settlements.

The role requires travel and in-person collaboration with business lines, project teams, and external counsel to protect Bechtel's interests and deliver successful outcomes.

Qualifications

• Requires a Juris Doctor and 15+ years of relevant experience in complex disputes.
• Strong negotiation and dispute-resolution capabilities.
• Ability to translate complex legal issues into practical guidance for senior leadership.

Responsibilities

• Advise business lines, major projects, and functions on significant legal issues and disputes.
• Develop and implement legal and dispute-resolution strategies for Bechtel's projects and operations.
• Manage claims, arbitration, litigation, and settlements; coordinate with outside counsel.

Skills

Dispute resolution

Negotiation

Legal analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Travel willingness

Education

Juris Doctor (or international equivalent)

Job description

• Requisition ID: 300433


• Relocation Authorized: None


• Telework Type: Part-Time Telework


• Work Location: Reston, VA


• Salary Range (Reston only): $ 216,600 - 313,300 annually (salary range is based on market data; final salary offered is determined by education, experience, and qualifications of the applicant.)

Since 1898, we have helped customers complete more than 25,000 projects in 160 countries on all seven continents that have created jobs, grown economies, improved the resiliency of the world's infrastructure, increased access to energy, resources, and vital services, and made the world a safer, cleaner place.

Differentiated by the quality of our people and our relentless drive to deliver the most successful outcomes, we align our capabilities to our customers' objectives to create a lasting positive impact. We serve the Infrastructure; Nuclear, Security & Environmental; Energy; Mining & Metals, and the Manufacturing and Technology markets. Our services span from initial planning and investment, through start-up and operations.

Core to Bechtel is our Vision, Values and Commitments. They are what we believe, what customers can expect, and how we deliver. Learn more about our extraordinary teams building inspiring projects in our Impact Report.

Job Summary:

In this role, you will act as an advisor to business lines, major projects, and functions on a range of significant legal issues, with a primary focus on the strategic management and resolution of complex disputes arising from Bechtel's projects and operations. You will develop and implement legal and dispute-resolution strategies; advise on the legal and commercial implications of disputes, laws, regulations, and contracts; manage claims and related arbitration, litigation, and other proceedings; and negotiate settlements and contract amendments.

*This role can be based in Houston, TX or Reston, VA. *This position is designated as part-time telework under Bechtel's global telework policy and requires at least three days of in-person attendance each week at the assigned office or project. The role requires regular domestic and international travel to offices and project sites. Weekly in-person schedules will be determined by the individual and their supervisor in consultation with functional or project leadership.

Major Responsibilities:

• Acts as an advisor to business lines, major projects, and functions on a range of significant legal issues, with primary responsibility for the strategic management and resolution of complex disputes, both upstream and downstream.


• Develops and implements legal and dispute-resolution strategies, including early matter assessment, forum and procedural strategy, evaluation of contractual, factual, legal, technical, schedule, and cost issues, and identification of practical, cost-effective resolution options.


• Makes legal recommendations and provides timely, practical advice to company and project leadership and project teams on matters of substantial importance to the business, including contract interpretation, claims and dispute avoidance, investigations, and resolution strategy.


• Advises senior company and project leadership on significant disputes and represents the company in related negotiations with counterparties and their counsel.


• Coordinates and manages outside counsel, experts, and consultants as needed to support dispute strategy, case development, advocacy, and resolution.


• Develops and manages matter budgets and provides clear reporting on dispute and claim status, exposure, strategy, and resolution options to internal stakeholders.


• Works collaboratively with project management, commercial, contracts, scheduling, cost, engineering, construction, and other personnel to develop and evaluate the contractual, factual, legal, schedule, cost, and technical issues relevant to disputes, claims, and defenses.


• Interviews and evaluates potential witnesses; prepares company personnel for interviews, depositions, hearings, and trial; and assists in selecting and preparing expert witnesses in coordination with outside counsel as appropriate.


• Negotiates complex settlement agreements, contract amendments, and other dispute-resolution arrangements, and often serves as lead counsel in dispute negotiations.


• Develops recommendations for decisions having an important bearing on the business and assists project and functional leadership in preparing dispute assessments, resolution recommendations, and internal approval requests.


• Develops and delivers training on dispute avoidance, change management, claims and commercial management, and related legal topics.


• Travels as needed to domestic and international projects, offices, hearings, and other locations.

Education and Experience Requirements:

• Requires a Juris Doctor (or international equivalent) and 15+ years of relevant experience. Requires a active membership in at least one U.S. state bar.


• Prefer 15 or more years of relevant legal experience to include substantial responsibility for complex commercial, construction, or project-related claims and disputes.

Required Knowledge and Skills:

• Demonstrated experience leading and resolving complex disputes, including litigation, arbitration, dispute board proceedings, investigations, and related claims; experience with engineering, construction, or other project-related disputes is strongly preferred.


• Ability to analyze complex contractual, legal, factual, commercial, and technical issues and translate them into clear, practical advice for senior management and project teams.


• Experience working effectively with business leaders, project teams, commercial and contracts personnel, technical experts, consultants, and counsel in developing and executing dispute strategy.


• Significant experience with dispute strategy, witness preparation, depositions, hearings, trials, arbitrations, or other contested proceedings.


• Strong negotiation skills, including experience leading the negotiation and resolution of significant disputes, claims, settlement agreements, or contract amendments.


• Excellent analytical, organizational, written, and oral communication skills.


• Sound judgment, high ethical standards, and the ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.


• Superior interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively with senior leaders, project teams, commercial and contracts personnel, technical specialists, counsel, and counterparties.


• Willingness and ability to travel domestically and internationally.

Total Rewards/Benefits:

For decades, Bechtel has worked to inspire the next generation of employees and beyond! Because our teams face some of the world's toughest challenges, we offer robust benefits to ensure our people thrive. Whether it is advancing careers, delivering programs to enhance our culture, or providing time to recharge, Bechtel has the benefits to build a legacy of sustainable growth. Learn more at Bechtel Total Rewards

Diverse teams build the extraordinary:

As a global company, Bechtel has long been home to a vibrant multitude of nationalities, cultures, ethnicities, and life experiences. This diversity has made us a more trusted partner, more effective problem solvers and innovators, and a more attractive destination for leading talent.

We are committed to being a company where every colleague feels that they belong-where colleagues feel part of "One Team", respected and rewarded for what they bring, supported in pursuing their goals, invested in our values and purpose, and treated equitably. Click here to learn more about the people who power our legacy.

At Bechtel, our employees enjoy a competitive total rewards package that includes comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans, along with optional disability and supplemental insurance options, generous paid time off (160 hours annually, accrued 6.16 hours per pay period), nine paid holidays, paid parental leave, discretionary bonuses, and a well-designed 401K plan with matching and profit-sharing components

Bechtel is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age,national origin, disability, citizenship status (except as authorized by law),protected veteran status, genetic information, and any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. Applicants with a disability, who require a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, may e-mail their request to [e-mail]