Associate In-House Counsel

Job Title: Associate In-House Counsel
Department: Risk Management
Reports To: Corporate Risk Manager
Location: Sanford, FL
Employment Type: Full-Time | Exempt

Position Summary
We are seeking a highly motivated Associate In-House Counsel to join our Risk Management team and support the company’s construction operations. This role will focus on owner contract review and negotiation, bond claim management, and dispute resolution/mediation. The ideal candidate will have a strong interest in construction law, excellent attention to detail, and the ability to work collaboratively with internal stakeholders to manage risk and protect the organization’s interests.

Key Responsibilities
Contract Management & Negotiation

• Review, draft, and negotiate owner contracts, subcontracts, design build agreements, and amendments with a focus on risk allocation, insurance requirements, indemnification, and payment provisions.
• Collaborate with project management, operations, and leadership teams to ensure contracts align with company objectives and minimize exposure.
• Advise stakeholders on contractual obligations, compliance requirements, and potential legal risks.

Bond Claims & Surety Support

• Initiate and manage subcontractor bond claims and assist in developing strategies to resolve disputes effectively.
• Partner with surety and insurance agents, claims adjusters, and external counsel as needed to protect company interests.
• Monitor performance and payment bonds, ensuring timely notices and documentation to support claim defense or pursuit.

Mediation & Dispute Resolution

• Represent the company in mediation, settlement negotiations, and informal dispute resolution efforts with owners, subcontractors, and insurers.
• Provide risk assessments and develop strategies to resolve issues efficiently while avoiding costly litigation.
• Work with project teams to proactively identify potential disputes and provide legal guidance to minimize escalation.

General Legal Support

• Provide day-to-day legal advice on construction-related matters, claims, insurance coverage, and compliance issues to C-Suite/Risk Management.
• Assist in preparing training materials and educating project teams on legal and risk management best practices.
• Coordinate with outside counsel when litigation or arbitration is unavoidable.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school
• Member in good standing of at least one U.S. state bar (Florida bar preferred if firm operates there)
• 3-5 years of legal experience; prior exposure to construction law, contracts, or surety/bond claims strongly preferred
• Knowledge of construction contracting, lien laws, and risk allocation principles
• Strong negotiation, drafting, and analytical skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to explain legal concepts to non-legal professionals
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment

Preferred Skills & Attributes

• Familiarity with AIA, ConsensusDocs, and custom contract forms
• Understanding of insurance requirements and coverage disputes
• Collaborative, business-minded problem solver who balances legal risk with operational goals
• Experience working with project management, risk, and finance teams in a construction setting

Our recruiting process is centralized and is handled by our HR Department. If we are sent unsolicited resumes from recruiters, we will not pay any recruiting fees. Unsolicited resumes are any resumes sent to us by a recruiter who has not been pre-approved by HR, has not signed our contract, and has not been requested by our HR Department to search for a specific position.