Associate Counsel

The Weitz Company / Contrack Watts, Inc.•Des Moines, IA

23d•Onsite

About The Position

The Weitz Company is hiring an Associate Counsel to join our Legal team! The Associate Counsel is responsible for protecting the company’s legal interest by providing practical legal advice and counsel in partnership with the General Counsel. This role identifies, manages, and minimizes areas of risk through contract review and negotiations, and partnering with various business units on ongoing matters. In addition, the Associate Counsel will oversee group claims and litigation to assure legal compliance. The Weitz Company has been Building a Better Way since 1855. We are a full-service construction company, general contractor, design-builder, and construction manager with office locations throughout the United States. We believe our employees to be our most valuable asset, and we are committed to growing a diverse and inclusive culture that inspires, motivates, and continuously improves.

Requirements

5+ years of experience practicing law with a corporation or outside firm
Experience in engineering, construction, or general corporate strongly preferred including corporate transactions, business transactions, and contracts
Knowledge of construction law is essential
A bachelor’s and Juris Doctorate degree is required, in addition to passing a state Bar Exam and in good standing to practice law with one or more of the states’ Supreme Court
High level of confidentiality and discretion
Ability to build relationships across the organization, with clients, and the community
Strong business acumen and negotiation skills
Flexible and able to adapt to meet business needs
Ability to solve problems and think critically
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Risk analysis and sound decision making skills
High level of initiative
Comfortable working with artificial intelligence (AI) for efficiency and consistency, but maintaining a human component to ensure accuracy and excellent customer service
Proficient in Microsoft Office including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook
Ability to learn additional specific job-related software upon hire
Must be able to work onsite in our Des Moines, IA office 5 days per week

Responsibilities

Provide legal support on company-wide inquiries including contract terms, liens, claims, disputes, and other legal or project issues
Negotiate and prepare prime agreements, subcontracts, and other documents
Propose acceptable solutions to project risks via contract terms
Manage and resolve potential claims or claims via litigation, arbitration, and other dispute resolution proceedings
Identify and manage company risks
Select, hire, and manage outside counsel and consultants for claims and litigation, settlement recommendations, and input on selected matters
Educate business units on appropriate laws, regulations and rules to ensure business practices are within guidelines
Partner with risk management and insurance team regarding related litigation, claim reserves, reports, and processes/procedures
Perform due diligence for mergers and acquisitions, international dealings, or other transactions
Evaluate and approve contract modifications or requested exceptions
Ensure claims are timely and fairly resolved in a favorable manner
Stay abreast of upcoming and current municipal, state, or federal laws and regulations that may impact business operations or other areas of the company