A leading construction firm in the Greater New York area is seeking a strategic and business-minded General Counsel to lead and oversee its legal operations. This is a confidential executive search for a key leadership role reporting directly to the CFO, with frequent collaboration with senior leadership across all departments.
The General Counsel will manage all legal affairs for the company, including contract review and negotiation, compliance, litigation, and oversight of a legal team. The ideal candidate brings deep experience in construction law, strong communication skills, and a practical, business-oriented approach to legal decision-making.
Key Responsibilities:
Oversee all legal matters for the organization, serving as a key advisor to the CFO and executive leadership team on business risks, contract strategy, and regulatory compliance
Lead, mentor, and manage a legal team of 3 (Associate Counsel, Paralegal, and Contracts Administrator)
Draft, review, and negotiate a wide variety of contracts including prime contracts, subcontracts, purchase orders, vendor agreements, rental agreements, and NDAs
Manage and advise on the legal aspects of state and federal RFPs and bids, ensuring full compliance and minimizing risk exposure
Lead negotiations with owners, vendors, and subcontractors on complex contract terms and dispute resolutions
Provide legal oversight on claims management and assist project teams with contract interpretation, drafting notices, and compliance with procedural requirements
Review and guide company policy development and ensure adherence to corporate governance best practices
Oversee litigation matters as needed (infrequent), including managing outside counsel, coordinating discovery, and supporting document production
Conduct legal research and draft corporate governance documents such as resolutions, operating agreements, and bylaws
Serve as the company’s internal legal resource for strategic initiatives, acquisitions, and risk management matters
Qualifications:
- J.D.fromanaccreditedlawschool;activebaradmissioninNewYork
- 5-10 years of legal experience, with a strong background in construction law, contracts, and contract negotiation
- Priorin-housecounselexperienceintheconstructionindustry
- Provenabilitytoleadlegalteamsandworkcross-functionallywithbusiness,operations,andfinanceleadership
- Excellentjudgment,communication,andorganizationalskills
- Ability to balance legal risk with business priorities in a fast-paced environment