Lagrange
Location
Idaho Falls, ID (Amentum Office)
Project Site INL SFHP – Approx. 55 miles from Idaho Falls
Travel Occasional travel required to project site and stakeholder meetings
Position Overview The Legal Counsel – REAs & Claims Management will provide specialized legal and contractual support for the SFHP project at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL). This position is responsible for preparing, evaluating, and resolving Requests for Equitable Adjustment (REAs), claims, and contractual disputes related to design and construction activities.
The role requires a deep understanding of federal contracting (FAR/DFARS), cost entitlement and quantum analysis, and construction law principles. The successful candidate will collaborate with engineering, procurement, construction, and project controls teams to ensure all claims and REAs are developed, documented, and negotiated in accordance with contractual and regulatory requirements.
Key Responsibilities
Lead the preparation, review, and negotiation of Requests for Equitable Adjustment (REAs), claims, and change order justifications in compliance with DOE and federal acquisition regulations.
Conduct legal and factual analysis of entitlement, causation, and quantum to support claim positions.
Work closely with project controls, engineering, and procurement to collect supporting documentation including schedules, cost records, RFIs, NCRs, and DCNs.
Evaluate contract terms, design changes, and field directives for potential cost and schedule impacts.
Provide strategic legal guidance to management regarding claim prevention, mitigation, and resolution strategies.
Develop and maintain a claims management tracking system for all active and potential disputes.
Support negotiations and settlement discussions with clients, subcontractors, and DOE representatives.
Draft and review position papers, correspondence, and legal memoranda to substantiate entitlement and defend against counterclaims.
Collaborate with outside counsel and subject-matter experts for complex or high-value claims.
Assist in the preparation of project documentation and evidence packages for mediation, arbitration, or litigation proceedings if required.
Conduct training sessions for project and construction staff on contract interpretation, REA preparation, and claim avoidance best practices.
Required Qualifications
Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited U.S. law school
Active license to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction
Minimum 5 years of experience in construction law, government contracts, or claims management
Strong knowledge of FAR/DFARS and federal contracting practices
Proven experience preparing and negotiating REAs, change orders, and contract disputes
Ability to analyze complex engineering and construction documentation and translate technical issues into legal arguments
Excellent writing, analytical, and negotiation skills
Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to work across disciplines including project management, controls, engineering, and legal
Preferred Qualifications
Experience with DOE, DOD, or other federal agency projects
Familiarity with NQA-1 and federal quality assurance programs
Experience working with EPC, design-build, or cost-reimbursable contract types
Background in schedule delay analysis, quantum calculations, and forensic documentation review
Prior participation in mediation, arbitration, or litigation of construction claims
Certification or coursework in construction claims management, project controls, or contract administration
Additional Requirements
Must be a U.S. Citizen (dual citizenship not permitted)
Ability to obtain and maintain a basic security clearance
Occasional travel (~55 miles) to the INL SFHP site for coordination, documentation collection, and claims review meetings
Seniority Level Mid-Senior level
Employment Type Full-time
Job Function Legal
Industries Business Consulting and Services
Salary $128,000.00 - $204,000.00
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Project Site INL SFHP – Approx. 55 miles from Idaho Falls
Travel Occasional travel required to project site and stakeholder meetings
Position Overview The Legal Counsel – REAs & Claims Management will provide specialized legal and contractual support for the SFHP project at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL). This position is responsible for preparing, evaluating, and resolving Requests for Equitable Adjustment (REAs), claims, and contractual disputes related to design and construction activities.
The role requires a deep understanding of federal contracting (FAR/DFARS), cost entitlement and quantum analysis, and construction law principles. The successful candidate will collaborate with engineering, procurement, construction, and project controls teams to ensure all claims and REAs are developed, documented, and negotiated in accordance with contractual and regulatory requirements.
Key Responsibilities
Lead the preparation, review, and negotiation of Requests for Equitable Adjustment (REAs), claims, and change order justifications in compliance with DOE and federal acquisition regulations.
Conduct legal and factual analysis of entitlement, causation, and quantum to support claim positions.
Work closely with project controls, engineering, and procurement to collect supporting documentation including schedules, cost records, RFIs, NCRs, and DCNs.
Evaluate contract terms, design changes, and field directives for potential cost and schedule impacts.
Provide strategic legal guidance to management regarding claim prevention, mitigation, and resolution strategies.
Develop and maintain a claims management tracking system for all active and potential disputes.
Support negotiations and settlement discussions with clients, subcontractors, and DOE representatives.
Draft and review position papers, correspondence, and legal memoranda to substantiate entitlement and defend against counterclaims.
Collaborate with outside counsel and subject-matter experts for complex or high-value claims.
Assist in the preparation of project documentation and evidence packages for mediation, arbitration, or litigation proceedings if required.
Conduct training sessions for project and construction staff on contract interpretation, REA preparation, and claim avoidance best practices.
Required Qualifications
Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited U.S. law school
Active license to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction
Minimum 5 years of experience in construction law, government contracts, or claims management
Strong knowledge of FAR/DFARS and federal contracting practices
Proven experience preparing and negotiating REAs, change orders, and contract disputes
Ability to analyze complex engineering and construction documentation and translate technical issues into legal arguments
Excellent writing, analytical, and negotiation skills
Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to work across disciplines including project management, controls, engineering, and legal
Preferred Qualifications
Experience with DOE, DOD, or other federal agency projects
Familiarity with NQA-1 and federal quality assurance programs
Experience working with EPC, design-build, or cost-reimbursable contract types
Background in schedule delay analysis, quantum calculations, and forensic documentation review
Prior participation in mediation, arbitration, or litigation of construction claims
Certification or coursework in construction claims management, project controls, or contract administration
Additional Requirements
Must be a U.S. Citizen (dual citizenship not permitted)
Ability to obtain and maintain a basic security clearance
Occasional travel (~55 miles) to the INL SFHP site for coordination, documentation collection, and claims review meetings
Seniority Level Mid-Senior level
Employment Type Full-time
Job Function Legal
Industries Business Consulting and Services
Salary $128,000.00 - $204,000.00
#J-18808-Ljbffr