General Counsel

Ace Electric; Valdosta (GA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, Dental, Vision, Life, Disability Insurance

401k with Match

Access to Ace University for training and development

Job summary

Ace Electric is seeking a Senior In-House Counsel to lead all legal matters and support commercial construction contracts. The ideal candidate will have over 10 years of legal experience, particularly in construction law, with a strong emphasis on contract negotiation and risk management.

This position is based in Valdosta, Georgia, and offers opportunities to significantly impact the organization by partnering with executive leadership and enhancing legal processes.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of legal experience, particularly in commercial construction law.
• Active license to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.
• Prior experience as in-house counsel for a construction-focused company.

Responsibilities

• Draft, review, and negotiate construction contracts including prime contracts and subcontracts.
• Provide legal guidance on project disputes and claims.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.

Skills

Negotiating complex contracts

Legal risk management

Communication skills

Understanding of construction contracts

Leadership skills

Education

Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school

Job description

Job Details

• Job Location: VALDOSTA, Georgia
• Employment Type: Full Time
• Minimum Experience: Senior Manager/Supervisor

Description

Our Mission is to Identify, Hire, Train and Retain the very best people! Could that be you?

Join the Ace Electric team for opportunities to work with the best team and build your career with Ace University!

Since our inception in Valdosta, GA in 1975, Ace has been performing quality electrical installations in a full range of markets including retail, education, healthcare, institutional, industrial, commercial, correctional facilities, hospitality, military bases and others. In the past 15 years, locations have been added in Macon, GA, Atlanta, GA, Jackson, TN, Statesboro, GA and Siler City, NC. Ace offers fabrication services, hard bid, design-build, negotiated contracts and fee-based work. We have the resources, professional staff and project management team to handle almost any type of electrical project. Our history of safety and quality has been established through years of successful projects and satisfied customers. Ace Electric is growing bigger in business each year and has no signs of slowing down!

Benefits

• Health, Dental, Vision, Life, Disability, Accident and Critical Illness Insurances
• 401k with Match
• Access to Ace University: Apprenticeship Program, Leadership Training, Skill Building Classes and much more!

General Summary

The Senior In‑House Counsel will serve as Ace Electric’s senior legal executive and trusted advisor to the CEO and executive leadership team. This role will own and lead all legal matters across the enterprise, with a heavy emphasis on commercial construction contracts, risk mitigation, and proactive legal strategy. The Senior In‑House Counsel will be deeply embedded in the business—partnering daily with Operations, Pre‑Construction, Project Management, Finance, and Executive Leadership—to fabricate, negotiate, review, and manage construction contracts while reducing risk and supporting profitable growth. The General Counsel will report to the President of Corporate Support.

Preferred Job Skills

• Prior experience supporting construction, electrical contracting, engineering, or other trade‑based organizations strongly preferred.
• Proven experience negotiating and managing complex commercial and construction contracts.
• Strong business judgment with the ability to provide practical, solution‑oriented legal advice.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and leadership skills.
• Prior in‑house counsel experience within construction, infrastructure, energy, or industrial services.
• Deep understanding of construction contracts, including risk allocation, indemnification, insurance, and bonding.
• Experience managing outside counsel and controlling legal spend.
• Familiarity with OSHA, labor compliance, and safety‑related legal issues.
• Strong business acumen with the ability to balance legal risk and operational realities.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to work effectively with non‑legal stakeholders.
• Experience developing contract templates, legal processes, and compliance programs.
• High level of discretion, integrity, and professionalism.

Mandatory Hiring Requirements

References, Background Check, Drug Screen Testing, Valid Driver’s License.

Core Objectives

• Protect the Company from contractual, financial, regulatory, and reputational risk.
• Enable Growth by supporting faster, smarter contracting and deal execution.
• Standardize & Strengthen Contracts across owners, GCs, suppliers, and subcontractors.
• Reduce Outside Counsel Spend through strong in‑house expertise.
• Serve as a Strategic Partner to the executive team, not a gatekeeper.

Responsibilities

Construction Contract Fabrication, Review & Negotiation (Primary Emphasis)

• Draft, review, and negotiate:
  • Prime contracts (AIA, ConsensusDocs, AGC, custom owner forms)
  • Subcontracts and supplier agreements
  • Design‑build and EPC agreements
  • Master Service Agreements (MSAs)
  • Change orders, amendments, and exhibits
• Lead contract risk reviews during:
  • Bid phase
  • Pre‑award negotiations
  • Major project escalations
• Identify and mitigate high‑risk clauses including:
  • Indemnification
  • Liquidated damages
  • Delay damages / no‑damage‑for‑delay
  • Pay‑if‑paid / pay‑when‑paid
  • Flow‑down provisions
  • Insurance and bonding requirements
  • Warranty and defect exposure
• Develop standard contract playbooks, redline guidance, and fallback positions for Operations and Pre‑Construction teams.

Legal Risk Management & Claims Oversight

• Provide legal guidance on:
  • Project disputes, claims, and terminations
  • Delay, acceleration, and scope disputes
  • Lien rights, bond claims, and payment disputes
• Manage litigation strategy in coordination with outside counsel (when required)
• Proactively advise project teams to avoid disputes before they elevate
• Support resolution strategies that preserve client relationships when possible

Corporate, Regulatory & Governance Support

• Oversee corporate governance, entity compliance, and state licensing requirements
• Ensure compliance with:
  • Federal, state, and local construction regulations
  • Labor and employment laws (in coordination with HR)
  • Safety, compliance, and insurance obligations
• Support executive leadership with:
  • Strategic initiatives
  • Merger & Acquisition diligence and integration (if applicable)
  • Joint ventures and strategic partnerships

Internal Enablement & Process Improvement

• Train Operations, Project Managers, and Pre‑Construction leaders on:
  • Contract risk awareness
  • Common legal pitfalls in construction projects
  • How to spot early warning signs
• Build scalable legal processes, including:
  • Contract review workflows
  • Risk escalation protocols
  • Document retention and dispute documentation standards
• Act as a practical business advisor, balancing legal risk with commercial realities

Position Requirements

• License: Active license to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction (multi‑state preferred).
• Education: Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school required.
• Experience: 10+ years of legal experience, with significant time in commercial construction law.
• Prior experience as:
  • In‑house counsel for a construction, engineering, or specialty trade company
  • Construction‑focused attorney at a respected law firm
• Deep familiarity with:
  • Large commercial/industrial projects
  • Multi‑state contracting environments
  • High‑dollar, high‑complexity project risk

Working Conditions

• Office‑based role with regular use of computers, phones, and standard office equipment.
• Occasional travel may be required to company offices, project sites, or legal proceedings.
• May involve exposure to construction environments during site visits (appropriate safety protocols will be followed).
• Standard business hours with occasional extended hours based on business needs or legal matters.

Required Physical/Mental Functions

• Ability to analyze complex legal and business issues and exercise sound judgment.
• Ability to read, interpret, and draft detailed legal documents and contracts.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and work effectively under pressure.
• Ability to sit for extended periods while reviewing documents and working at a computer.
• Ability to attend meetings, training sessions, and occasional site visits as required.

AAP/EEO Statement

Ace Electric, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identification, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other category protected by federal, state, or local law.