Sr. Legal Counsel

Evonik•Piscataway, NJ

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

This role involves providing legal counsel, drafting, reviewing, preparing, and negotiating various complex construction agreements, including EPCM, Basic Engineering, and Construction Agreements. The Sr. Legal Counsel will serve as the primary point of contact for complex capital project agreements, assisting procurement and Project Teams in articulating business needs in contract terms and responding to requests for legal guidance and contract interpretation. Key responsibilities include monitoring, reviewing, and revising contract templates to ensure compliance with legal and regulatory best practices and internal requirements. The counsel will also be responsible for understanding internal customer business requirements and effectively communicating the Company’s risk tolerance to facilitate informed decision-making. The position provides litigation support and assists with claims and disputes related to projects, working closely with a designated Evonik claims manager, procurement, and managing outside counsel when necessary. Additionally, the role supports the region on all USG contract issues and collaborates closely with other members of the Law Department, escalating issues to the General Counsel and other in-house attorneys as needed. The Sr. Legal Counsel is expected to utilize strong negotiation skills to support clients during internal and external negotiations, transaction structuring, and in the drafting and review of complex commercial documents. Managing outside counsel relationships and budgets is also a part of this role, with approximately 10% travel, which may include international trips.

Requirements

JD from an ABA accredited law school with solid academic credentials.
Active state law license in good standing.
10 years of legal experience with a major law firm, regulatory agency or business entity.
High degree of familiarity with EPCM, Basic Engineering, and Construction Agreements.
Experience with USG contracting issues.
Experience with all capital project phases from contracting and procurement through project administration and dispute resolution.
Experienced managing construction litigation as well as alternative dispute resolution in mediation and arbitration forums.
Demonstrate an ability to foster good working relationships and effectively influence, communicate and interact with a diverse set of clients at all levels of the Company and cultural backgrounds.
Strong analytical skills and ability to resolve complex issues and balance demands of internal clients while meeting aggressive deadlines.
Strategic thinker, self-motivated, team player, with demonstrated history of resolving challenging legal problems and the ability to act independently and to coordinate projects among multiple stakeholders.
Strong negotiation and communication skills.
Ability to communicate effectively with internal clients of all levels in the Company.
Self-motivated and capable of routinely managing work with minimal direction; excellent follow up skills and ability to meet aggressive deadlines.
Comfortable with and adept at dealing with management and other personnel from various cultural backgrounds.
Ability to work independently or as part of a team.

Nice To Haves

in-house experience preferred
Prior experience in manufacturing, specialty chemicals and/or procurement is preferred.

Responsibilities

Advise, draft, review, prepare and negotiate various complex construction agreements, including EPCM, Basic Engineering and Construction Agreements.
Serve as the primary point of contact for complex capital project agreements.
Assist procurement and Project Teams in articulating business needs in contract terms and respond to their requests for legal guidance and contract interpretation.
Monitor, review and revise contract templates to ensure compliance with new and existing legal and regulatory best practices and internal requirements.
Understand internal customer business requirements and effectively communicate the Company’s risk tolerance to ensure internal clients make informed decisions.
Provide litigation support and assist with claims and disputes related to a project, working closely with a designated Evonik claims manager and procurement and managing outside counsel where necessary.
Support the region on all USG contract issues
Work closely with others in the Law Department, identifying and escalating, as necessary, issues to the General Counsel and other in-house attorneys.
Utilize strong negotiation skills and support clients during internal and external negotiations, structuring of transactions and in the drafting and review of complex commercial documents.
Manage outside counsel relationships and budgets.
Travel (some international) may be required (10%).