Associate General Counsel

Kent Companies • Grand Rapids, MI

5d • Onsite

About The Position

Kent Companies legal team provides Executive Leadership and Stakeholders with pragmatic, business focused legal guidance across all phases of construction projects and corporate efforts. The Associate General Counsel will support the General Counsel in all legal efforts to benefit company interests. This position will also support the company in implementing its strategic initiatives as it continues to grow. The ideal candidate brings experience in construction law, excels in contract drafting and negotiation, has a strong claims management background, and effectively engages in dispute resolution.

Requirements

• 5+ years of relevant legal experience in a law firm and/or similar in-house position.
• Juris Doctor or LLM degree from an accredited law school, and licensed to practice law in the U.S.
• Ability to communicate complex legal concepts to non-attorney Kent team members in a concise yet thorough manner.
• Strong oral and written communication skills, including presenting advice clearly and concisely.
• Be entrepreneurial and find practical solutions to compliance and legal questions.
• Be able and willing to solve challenges through innovation; able to work with minimal direction and supervision; proactive, not reactive.
• Valid drivers license
• Must have reliable transportation to the workplace(s)/ job location(s).
• Ability to pass drug screening.
• Must be able to work in the United States without corporate sponsorship now and in the future.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working with engineering, procurement, and construction agreements and familiarity with construction law is plus.

Responsibilities

• Get to know the company, its managers, and what makes us successful.
• Continuously interact with general counsel, senior management, divisional leadership, and staff to stay abreast of corporate happenings and upcoming legal needs.
• Work with internal and external customers to negotiate agreements, address legal, and develop resolutions to legal or regulatory issues or disputes.
• Provide proactive legal advice to all internal stakeholders.
• Strive to gain expertise in construction law and ancillary legal areas applicable to a national construction company, such as labor law, contracts, subcontractor claims, bond claims, and surety law, among others.
• Partner with General Counsel and Paralegal to conduct consistent review, analysis, evaluation, and negotiation of contracts internally and externally, ensuring timely and consistent contract review application.
• At the direction of the General Counsel, assist in facilitating all aspects of litigation, including the management of outside counsel representing the company in all disputes, including public agencies, contractors, subcontractors, and vendors, including assisting with discovery, alternative disputes processes, pre-litigation, and litigation.
• Develop and maintain an understanding of insurance coverage and assist project teams in interpreting and applying basic coverage concepts, including construction defect, builders risk, automobile, workers compensation, and property damage claims.
• Maintains intergroup workflow by fostering a spirit of cooperation with Divisions and is sensitive to timing requirements and customer service considerations concerning contract review.

Benefits

• Weekly pay
• PTO (Paid Time Off)
• Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage
• Supplemental insurance options
• Retirement plans with discretionary employer-matching
• Holiday pay (New Years Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day)
• Scholarship opportunities for dependents
• Leadership development opportunities

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree
• Number of Employees: 101-250 employees