Contract Attorney
Direct Hire
Pittsfield, Maine
The Contract Attorney is responsible for providing legal support and advice for vertical construction projects and will support other business units as needed. This position provides contract risk assessments to management and serves as the legal authority for contract negotiation, administration, project support, and dispute resolution. This position may require frequent travel to regional and corporate offices, and active projects, within the eastern United States.
Job Responsibilities
- Draft and negotiate contracts for construction and construction management services at risk for commercial and industrial vertical construction projects where the contract sum is based on stipulated sum or the cost of the work (with or without a guaranteed maximum price).
- Draft and negotiate Design-Build agreements with owners and agreements with the designers as a designer of record or upon delegated design authority.
- Determine and develop a suitable risk profile for construction business opportunities, draft and negotiate acceptable contract terms.
- Draft and negotiate consents to assignments with lenders providing financing to Owners for projects in construction.
- Assist in negotiating agreements with subcontract service providers.
- Provide training and advice to project teams on managing contract requirements.
- Support project team performance to ensure compliance with contract requirements.
- Oversee resolution of contract disputes, claims, and significant change orders.
- Work with the project team on issues related to contract administration.
- Support other business units on an as needed basis.
Qualifications/ Requirements
- Law degree and admission and good standing in the bar of at least one jurisdiction.
- Bachelor's Degree in Engineering or equivalent combination of education and experience in construction, facilities management, or construction law preferred.
- Minimum of 5 years of experience in construction contract administration, negotiation, and interpretation; experience in the commercial vertical building market preferred.
- Must possess and demonstrate excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to produce professional contract documents with experience in most construction forms.
- Understanding and familiarity with project delivery by Design-Build, delegated design authority, contractor, construction manager at risk, construction manager as advisor models, together with understanding and familiarity of projects where the contract sum is based on the cost of the work.
- Experience and demonstrated proficiency with contract forms such as AIA, EJCDC, ConsensusDocs, and private forms commonly used in vertical construction and contract delivery such as CM, CM at Risk, Design-Build, and progressive GMP as both prime contractor and subcontractor. Experience with federal procurement processes, Federal Acquisition Regulations, Defense Federal Acquisition Regulations, and similar procurement processes required by state and federal government agencies are beneficial as well.
- Familiarity and knowledge of prompt pay statutes, mechanics lien statutes, statutory requirements governing lien waivers, retainage, and other statutory provisions applicable to public and private construction projects.
- Understanding of contract issues in the delivery of construction contracts: indemnity, warranty, guaranty, performance guarantees, and liquidated damages.
- Experience resolving construction disputes in court and arbitration proceedings.
- Team oriented with a reputation for honesty and integrity.
- An ability to shift easily between projects and priorities and to manage multiple deadlines.
- Strong sense of urgency in the accurate completion of tasks.
- Strong financial and business acumen with the knowledge of how to structure and close a business deal.