In-House Counsel (Design Group)

Company: Barry-Wehmiller Companies Inc.
Location: Saint Louis
Posted on: September 17, 2020

Job Description:

About Us:

Design Group operates from more than 45 offices in the United States and India, providing engineering, consulting and technical services for the world’s leading companies in the food and beverage, life sciences, advanced technology, industrial and other market sectors. Our nearly 1,500 technical and engineering experts have direct industry experience in industrial automation, control system integration, facility and process engineering, architecture, construction management, regulatory compliance, enterprise technology and other consulting services.Barry-Wehmiller is a diversified global supplier of engineering consulting and manufacturing technology for the packaging, corrugating, sheeting and paper-converting industries. By blending people-centric leadership with disciplined operational strategies and purpose-driven growth, Barry-Wehmiller has become a $3 billion organization with nearly 12,000 team members united by a common belief: to use the power of business to build a better world. Job Description:

Job Summary

In-House Counsel for engineering, architecture, construction, control systems integration, and technology consulting firm providing services to clients in the food & beverage, consumer products, life sciences, advanced technology, and industrial sectors. Negotiates complex design-build and engineer-procure-construct (EPC) contracts, along with architectural, engineering, trade contractor, original equipment manufacturer (OEM) contracts. Serves as project counsel helping project teams validate and realize the trust that our clients place in our firm of exceptional professionals, including practical and proactive resolution of disputes. Places the firm's professional liability, builder's risk, and construction-specific insurance program. Guides risk management program development and compliance. Provides organizational design, professional licensing, and corporate governance strategies and compliance for architectural, engineering, and construction management entities and professionals.

Responsibilities

Duties include, but are not limited to:

Review design, engineering, engineer-procure-construct, design-build and construction management contracts, subcontracts, bids, equipment agreements, review and modify industry standard (AIA, EJCDC, ConsensusDocs, DBIA) and owner drafted contracts;

Lead negotiation of those contracts in coordination with Executive Team, Project Leadership, and Contracts/Procurement Manager(s);

Work with executive team to set the strategic direction of risk mitigation programs to align them with our growth and value creation visions and overall risk tolerances;

Support client development and securing work through proactive contract development (especially on all constructed or integrated project opportunities) and by interfacing directly with clients, client legal teams, or our internal client development team;

Counsel teams on project selection risks, appropriate project delivery methodology, and adherence to firm’s commercial, legal, and risk management preferences;

Provide Executive Team and Project Leadership with counsel during project delivery, including providing project-level contract guidance and support (contract adherence, interpretation, subcontract alignment, notice requirements, close-out procedures) from kickoff to final completion;

Manage all forms of project-related dispute resolution (client discussions, liens, discovery, mediations, arbitrations, litigation, position papers, settlement agreements, etc.), provide guidance to Executive Team, and coordinate with insurers and outside counsel;

Oversee strategy and compliance for firm-level professional licensing requirements applicable to architecture, professional engineering, and general contracting services;

Provide counsel and guidance for governance and organization of corporate entities holding certificates of authorization for architecture and engineering services;

Coordinate placement of design and construction insurance coverage including professional liability and builder’s risk policies in alignment with Barry-Wehmiller’s broader corporate insurance and risk management program;

Maintain and update firm’s library of standard contracts, forms, and templates;

Collaborate closely with Design Group and Barry-Wehmiller Safety Teams to promote a culture of safety and wellness and confirm that safety policies and practices are properly addressed in contracts for construction and field services;

Advise Design Group Culture and People Development teams on labor/employment issues and coordinate resolution of any disputes with outside counsel and insurers;

Manage outside counsel and coordinate resolution of personal injury and property damage claims with outside counsel and insurers;

Collaborate, align, and communicate as a liaison to the Barry-Wehmiller corporate team on risk mitigation, dispute resolution, and insurance matters and communicate contract policies/procedures to staff;

Position will report to Barry-Wehmiller VP & Corporate Counsel and the Design Group CFO;

Perform other duties as needed requested by executive team.

Requirements

The candidate will ideally have 7-10 years of legal experience. Preferred candidate will have a background in either engineering or construction contracts, construction industry disputes, or general commercial contracts within a law firm or an in-house legal department.

Knowledge of construction-related insurance practices with a general understanding of professional liability insurance.

Experience and skill in drafting and negotiating engineering, design-build, EPC, construction management, and owner’s representative contracts.

Experience and skill in managing resolution of claims and disputes in coordination with outside legal counsel and insurers.

Results-oriented, highly collaborative, pragmatic, flexible, takes initiative, and creative.

Ability to build partnerships internally.

Sound legal reasoning, thoroughness, and excellent legal writing skills and presentation skills.

Capable of building teams and effectively operating within teams.

Excellent previously demonstrated negotiating skills.

Ability to identify and manage risk inherent to projects in the engineering/construction industry.

Ability to personally interact with clients, contractors and colleagues.

Willingness to travel up to 15% of the time.

Ability to handle multiple competing priorities.

Ability to quickly learn systems, processes, and procedures.

Administrative self-sufficiency.

Education

Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited law school.

Licenses

Current member in good standing of the Missouri Bar preferred.

Current member in good standing of a different US State Bar acceptable.

Barry-Wehmiller is an equal opportunity employer. M/F/D/V This organization uses E-Verify.Applicants may be subject to pre-employment screening which may include drug screening, reference checks, employment verifications, background screening and/or skills assessments. Company:

Design Group US Inc

Posted 27 Days Ago

Full time

R004971

About Us Throughout Barry-Wehmiller, we hold ourselves to a unique measure of success: by the way we touch the lives of people. It’s that vision that drives us in creating world-class experiences and solutions for our customers and unites us around our common goal—to use the power of our business to build a better world.

Keywords: Barry-Wehmiller Companies Inc., St. Louis , In-House Counsel (Design Group), Other , Saint Louis, Missouri