Associate Corporate Counsel

Associate Corporate Counsel - Dallas, TX

Westwood Professional Services, Inc.

Westwood Professional Services, Inc. is hiring an Associate Corporate Counsel to join our team in one of our DFW offices. Westwood has a highly experienced and dynamic team of individuals dedicated to providing high-level professional services to our clients.

As Associate Corporate Counsel, you’re responsible for a full range of legal counsel as a part of Westwood’s Legal Team supporting Westwood’s business operations. In this highly visible role, you’ll primarily provide counsel on contract drafting and negotiations to support the business, project managers, and leadership on all phases of client contract and subconsultant contracts and certificates of insurance. As a legal advisor, you will also be responsible for claims and litigation management, corporate compliance, risk management, and internal training and education. This position will require 10-20% travel.

• Provide advice and assistance to business leaders and project managers on a broad range of business matters, including but not limited to complex professional services, commercial, and construction client and subcontract agreements, government contracts with FAR and DFARS flow-downs, risk management, and compliance issues
• Read, review, modify and negotiate contracts/terms and conditions
• Practical approach to problem solving, the ability to translate legal issues into clear, "plain English" guidance for non-lawyers
• Ensure compliance with applicable and varied state laws, policies, and regulations
• Recommend best practices
• Advise and participate in initiatives to establish, implement, and improve department procedures for client satisfaction
• Handle additional responsibilities and duties as assigned, including general support of all Legal Team activities

• J.D. from accredited law school State bar admission and be in good standing in the state where the hired candidate will be practicing
• At least 5-7 years’ prior experience, in-house and/or at a law firm in a litigation or transactional practice
• Demonstrated ability to work well with other legal team members, other divisions of Westwood, and senior management, assess legal risk, think strategically and provide practical, sound business recommendations
• Demonstrated ability to counsel senior management and business leaders
• Advanced understanding of contract management and associated risk
• Ability to present to all levels of management and leadership within Westwood
• Team player who will roll up their sleeves and take on additional responsibilities, while also being able to work independently and think strategically
• Strong attention to detail and quality of work product
• Exceptional drafting, communication, analytical and interpersonal skills
• Able to multi-task
• Ability to work with minimal supervision and work collaboratively with several different teams daily
• Embraces teamwork and values collaboration
• Ability to manage competing demands
• Experience in risk identification and management
• Ability to travel as needed
• Experience in a fast-paced, dynamic organization

• Experience as in-house counsel with a large engineering, program management, and/or construction firm
• Experience in contract dispute resolution, including preparing demands/responses regarding claims, and assisting with litigation management
• Experience with professional liability, general liability, pollution, and builder’s risk insurance
• Experience with professional services contract and subcontract negotiation
• Experience reviewing contract and subcontract agreements with FAR and DFARS flow-downs
• Experience with state and local public procurement procedures
• Ability to draft, file and defend construction liens