Corporate In-House Counsel

Overview

Corporate In-House Counsel

Job Summary: Huitt-Zollars has a great full-time opportunity for a Corporate In-House Counsel at our Dallas, TX office. The successful candidate will be a senior corporate attorney who represents our corporation and executives in all types of legal proceedings, including general corporate matters, including mergers and acquisitions, financial transactions, corporate governance, and directly involved in complex business transactions in negotiating critical contracts.

Location: Dallas, TX

Reports to: President

Employment Type: 40 FT Hours

Compensation Type: Salary

Registration(s): must be licensed by the Texas Supreme Court and be a member of the State Bar of Texas

Education: Juris Doctorate or equivalent from an ABA-accredited law school

Duties/Responsibilities:

The primary responsibilities of the Corporate In-House Counsel will include a critical role in and/or leadership of the following:

• Serves as legal advisor to Executive Team and the Huitt-Zollars Board of Directors.
• The role requires significant and active collaboration with others in Accounting, HR, Operations, Contracts, and Executives as well as other functions and business units within the company, based across the US.
• Provide advice and counsel on corporate law and governance matters.
• Serves as key legal advisor on all major business and financial transactions, including acquisitions and joint ventures
• Oversees contract reviews and negotiations on behalf of the company.
• Participates in the definition and development of corporate policies, business licenses/legal entities, procedures and programs and provides continuing counsel and guidance on legal matters and on legal implications of all matters of business.
• Provide oversight of the team responsible for legal entity management (including active support of entity formation, maintenance and compliance, and merger and dissolution processes) and professional licensing issues.
• Prepares and reviews various legal instruments and documents, such as contracts, leases, licenses, purchases, sales, real estate, etc.
• Serves as member of the Risk Committee and identifies risks and proposes alternative structures to mitigate risks involved in potential transactions.

Qualifications:

• Juris Doctorate or equivalent from an ABA-accredited law school.
• 20+ years of legal experience including litigating complex matters for the architecture, engineering or construction industry within a law firm, or management of claims and litigation in an in-house legal department, or professional liability insurer with preference given to candidates with a blend of experience.
• Familiarity with various legal documents.
• Expert knowledge of a range of Corporate law.
• Significant involvement and skill in (i) drafting and editing legal memoranda and correspondence, (ii) briefs, (iii) legal research, (iii) cost and schedule analysis, and (iv) organizing and analyzing documentary records.
• Proven experience in managing outside counsel in a cost-effective manner.
• Demonstrated track record of exceptional business judgment, rationality and sophistication on commercial aspects of the AEC industry and contracts.
• Exceptional analytical, communication, and negotiation skills.
• Extensive knowledge of US arbitration rules and processes and of arbitrators and mediators.
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and thrive in a fast-paced environment.
• Proven experience in legal research, writing, and litigation.
• Ability to interact with clients and multi-discipline team members.
• Excellent organizational, verbal and written communication skills.

Competencies:

• Acquires, understands, and applies technical and professional knowledge and skills to perform job effectively, efficiently, and safely. Understands and adheres to Huitt-Zollars policies and procedures. Stays abreast of trends and pending changes within assigned area of responsibility.
• Establishes, enforces, and drives policies that promotes Company vision and culture to achieve company objectives.
• Strong business acumen. Offers excellent communication and presentation skills in an organized, professional manner.
• Ability to nurture and maintain key relationships internally and externally through communication and diplomacy.
• Contributes to a positive and productive team-oriented environment. Offers open communication/feedback within the team. Minimizes conflict and builds collaboration to maintain productive team.
• Possesses the ability to achieve win-win solutions to complex business issues.
• Familiar with the unique issues facing the AEC industry regulatory, legal, and contractual.

About Huitt-Zollars:

• Huitt-Zollars, Inc. is a privately held, 100% employee-owned leading Architectural and Engineering (A/E) firm since being established in 1975. Since then, our firm has been providing innovative planning, engineering, architectural and interior design, construction and program management, and design-build services to our clients.
• Located in more than 20 locations throughout 10 different US states, Huitt-Zollars holds a vision to improve the environment in which we live, work, and play. Employees/co-owners can expect to collaborate with their team, listen to client and community needs, and deliver world-class professional services. Learn more about a career with #teamHZ by viewing our LinkedIN Life page.

Benefits & Perks:

• Health insurance (BCBS TX BlueChoice PPO)
• Dental insurance (BCBS TX BlueChoice PPO)
• Vision insurance (BCBS TX BlueChoice PPO)
• MDLive Telehealth
• Employer-Paid Short- & Long-Term disability
• 8 Paid Holidays
• Employee Morale/Teambuilding events and activities
• Paid Vacation/Annual Leave
• Paid Sick Leave
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Commuter Benefits
• Professional Societies and Registrations Fee Reimbursements
• Term Life / AD&D insurance
• Cancer and Specified Disease insurance
• Two retirement plans: 401(k) and an ESOP

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer
• Must be able to lift up to 25 pounds at times
• The employee must be able to concentrate on details, work under deadline pressures, apply sound logic and judgment, and prioritize tasks and responsibilities

Applicants must be legally authorized to work for Huitt-Zollars in the U.S. without employer sponsorship. Currently, Huitt-Zollars does not sponsor H1-B or any other work visa petitions.

Huitt-Zollars does not accept unsolicited resumes from third-party recruiters without a previously signed third-party agreement. Any unsolicited third-party resumes forwarded by recruiters to any Huitt-Zollars hiring manager or employee will be considered public information, may be treated as a direct application from the person identified in the resume, and will not be eligible for placement fee payment to the agency submitting the unsolicited resume. Huitt-Zollars will not pay a fee to a third-party recruiter or agency that has not coordinated their recruiting activity with the appropriate member of the Human Resources team and without an active, fully executed service agreement.

This position will office out of our Dallas, TX location in a 'Class A' office space including a state-of-the-art gym (no cost), covered parking, food court, and more.

Please apply online at https://external-huitt-zollars.icims.com

Job ID No: D425

Huitt-Zollars, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to a policy of non-discrimination in employment on any basis including race, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin or any other legally protected status. Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the company will make reasonable accommodations to assist in the application process upon the request of an applicant. No question on this application is intended to secure information to be used for discriminatory purposes.

This contractor and subcontractor shall abide by the requirements of 41 CFR 60-741.5(a) and 60-300.5(a). These regulations prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals on the basis of protected veteran status or disability, and require affirmative action by covered prime contractors and subcontractors to employ and advance in employment qualified protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.