Risk Manager/Corporate Counsel

Weston & Sampson•Reading, MA

23d•$175,000 - $200,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Weston & Sampson is seeking a Risk Manager/Corporate Counsel to provide legal advice and strategic guidance to leadership and project teams across the firm and its subsidiaries, with a primary focus on engineering and construction matters in an in-house AEC environment. The Risk Manager/Corporate Counsel leads dispute resolution efforts and manages outside counsel to align legal strategy with business objectives. What You’ll Do Contracts & Project Support Draft, review, and negotiate a broad range of AEC-related contracts, including professional services, construction, design-build/EPC, subcontracts, joint ventures, and procurement agreements. Advise project teams on contract interpretation, risk allocation, change management, claims preservation, and project close-out. Support multiple project delivery models and advise on standard of care, indemnities, insurance, warranties, and limitation of liability. Identify and mitigate engineering and construction risks with practical, business-focused solutions. Assist with legal actions required for fee collection. Claims, Litigation & Dispute Resolution Lead and manage construction claims, disputes, and litigation, including delay, disruption, design errors/omissions, terminations, and payment disputes. Develop and execute dispute resolution strategies (mediation, arbitration, litigation) in alignment with business goals. Serve as the primary internal contact for disputes, including reserve setting, settlement strategy, and executive reporting. Select and manage outside counsel, overseeing strategy, budgets, and outcomes. Guide evidence preservation, fact development, and documentation; develop tools and playbooks to improve claims handling. Risk Management, Compliance & Governance Support firm-wide risk management initiatives tailored to AEC industry risks. Provide legal guidance on general business, regulatory, and compliance matters, including ethics, trade controls, government contracting, health and safety, and environmental requirements. Assist with corporate governance, entity maintenance, internal policies, and delegations of authority. Deliver training on contracts, claims avoidance, dispute management, ethics, and compliance. Mentor and support development of risk management team members.

Requirements

Active license to practice law in Massachusetts.
Bachelor's degree in related field.
Minimum of 8 years of relevant legal experience.
Strong communication, negotiation, and business judgment skills.
Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, project-driven environment.

Nice To Haves

Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school.
Significant experience in the AEC, construction, engineering, or infrastructure sector.
Prior in-house counsel or risk management experience managing construction claims and litigation.
Experience with public sector procurement, government contracts, or major infrastructure projects.
Familiarity with alternative delivery methods (design-build, EPC, PPP/P3, CM-at-risk).
Knowledge of environmental, health, and safety regulations applicable to construction projects.

Responsibilities

Draft, review, and negotiate a broad range of AEC-related contracts, including professional services, construction, design-build/EPC, subcontracts, joint ventures, and procurement agreements.
Advise project teams on contract interpretation, risk allocation, change management, claims preservation, and project close-out.
Support multiple project delivery models and advise on standard of care, indemnities, insurance, warranties, and limitation of liability.
Identify and mitigate engineering and construction risks with practical, business-focused solutions.
Assist with legal actions required for fee collection.
Lead and manage construction claims, disputes, and litigation, including delay, disruption, design errors/omissions, terminations, and payment disputes.
Develop and execute dispute resolution strategies (mediation, arbitration, litigation) in alignment with business goals.
Serve as the primary internal contact for disputes, including reserve setting, settlement strategy, and executive reporting.
Select and manage outside counsel, overseeing strategy, budgets, and outcomes.
Guide evidence preservation, fact development, and documentation; develop tools and playbooks to improve claims handling.
Support firm-wide risk management initiatives tailored to AEC industry risks.
Provide legal guidance on general business, regulatory, and compliance matters, including ethics, trade controls, government contracting, health and safety, and environmental requirements.
Assist with corporate governance, entity maintenance, internal policies, and delegations of authority.
Deliver training on contracts, claims avoidance, dispute management, ethics, and compliance.
Mentor and support development of risk management team members.