Job purpose

The Construction Legal Assistant assists the Corporate Counsel with the review, preparation, management, and negotiation of construction-related contracts, including client contracts, subcontracts, change orders, and vendor agreements and actively interfaces with the operations team throughout the life a project to ensure compliance with all applicable contract terms. The Construction Legal Assistant will possess an understanding of legal issues relevant to construction contracts, including, for example, indemnity, insurance coverage, risk transfer, and liability for delays. He/she will also assist the Corporate Counsel in managing claims made against the Company, including those alleging breach of contract, personal injury, property damage, and employment issues. He/she will further assist the Corporate Counsel in completing various business transactions and maintaining compliance with relevant corporate and industry rules and regulations. The Construction Legal Assistant will be highly organized and detail oriented.

Duties and responsibilities

• Draft, review, and negotiate contracts with clients, subcontractors, vendors, and other individuals and entities.
• Manage subcontractor prequalification process and compliance programs.
• Review bid invitations and assist operations team with bid package preparation or new contractor prequalification process as necessary.
• Review and maintain databases of client change order provisions, payment provisions, RFI procedures, claim process, insurance requirements and other contractually mandated customer requirements and assist in the education and instruction of project teams and individuals accordingly.
• Use technical knowledge and experience to evaluate documents and prepare the presentation of material related to construction claims.
• Assist Corporate Counsel and Risk Management Team with claims based on breach of contract, civil litigation, and other theories of relief and the establishment of Best Practices to avoid such claims.
• Assist Corporate Counsel with licensing and other compliance matters.

Requirements & Qualifications

• 3-5 years of experience in a Construction Law setting.
• Must be familiar with legal concepts, legal processes, systems and rules relevant to the construction industry including, for example, indemnity, insurance coverage, risk transfer, liability for delays, general negligence, and workers’ compensation with demonstrated interest and ability to learn.
• College degree preferred.
• Excellent written communication skills are required.
• Must possess strong verbal communication and interpersonal skills.
• Must demonstrate good judgment about prioritizing the completion of multiple responsibilities.
• Claims and risk management experience is strongly preferred.
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft applications, including Outlook, Word, and Excel.
• Familiarity with Collective Bargaining Agreements and employment/labor issues also preferred.

Candidates may reside within the Chicagoland Area or Near Monmouth County, New Jersey.