In House Counsel

In House Counsel Hewitt Young - 3.0 Rochester, NY Job Details Full-time $150,000 - $180,000 a year 23 hours ago Qualifications Contract documentation review Contract management Civil engineering Contract review Construction negotiation Legal negotiation Regulatory compliance Legal risk management Construction law Employment & labor law Overseeing compliance functions Contract drafting Decision making Legal drafting Organizational skills Vendor contract management Alternative dispute resolution Training & development Senior level Training Legal counsel Communication skills Full Job Description At Hewitt Young , excellence is our standard. We look for Builders who take ownership, push through challenges, and care about results as much as their craft. When you join our team, you earn your edge every day, and we make sure it pays off. Role Mission The In-House Counsel protects and builds the business by managing legal risk across all construction operations—ensuring contracts are structured to preserve margin, disputes are resolved strategically, and the company operates with speed, confidence, and compliance. This role's primary responsibility is to convert legal exposure into controlled risk , enabling profitable execution while safeguarding the company's financial position, reputation, and long-term growth. Core Responsibilities Contract Strategy & Negotiation Draft, review, and negotiate construction contracts (prime, subcontracts, vendor agreements).

Identify and mitigate risk in:

Indemnification clauses Liquidated damages Payment terms Schedule and delay provisions Standardize contract templates to protect margin and reduce risk exposure. Partner with Operations and Estimating during preconstruction. Litigation & Claims Management Manage all litigation, arbitration, and dispute resolution processes. Oversee external counsel and control legal spend.

Develop strategy for:

Claims defense Revenue recovery Risk containment Lead dispute resolution efforts to minimize financial and reputational impact. Construction Risk Management Advise project teams on legal risks throughout project lifecycle. Support change order strategy, claims documentation, and entitlement positioning. Identify risk trends across projects and implement preventative strategies. Business Partnership Act as a strategic advisor to executive leadership and operations teams. Provide practical, business-focused legal guidance—not theoretical advice. Enable faster decision-making with clear risk/reward frameworks. Compliance & Governance Ensure compliance with: State and federal construction laws Labor (union/non-union) considerations Licensing and regulatory requirements Maintain corporate governance standards and documentation. Training & Development Train PMs, Estimators, and Operations on: Contract risk Claims documentation Legal best practices Build legal awareness across the organization. Must-Have Competencies Strong background in construction law (civil, electrical, infrastructure preferred).

Proven experience with:

Contract negotiation and drafting. Construction litigation and dispute resolution. Claims and change order strategy.

Deep understanding of:

Risk allocation in construction contracts. Project lifecycle and field operations. Ability to balance legal protection with business execution speed. Strong communication and negotiation skills. Experience managing outside counsel and controlling legal costs.

WHAT YOU'LL FIND HERE AT HEWITT YOUNG

At Hewitt Young, we don't just fill roles - we build careers! Above all we take pride in our work. Every project reflects who we are, how we operate, and the standards we stand behind. If you're driven, accountable, and ready to grow, you'll find your place here.