Director of Legal/Associate Counsel - Commercial & Multifamily Construction
27 days ago
Dallas
Job DescriptionOverview: We are seeking an experienced In-House Director of Legal to provide strategic and practical legal leadership for a growing commercial and multifamily construction organization. This role serves as the senior legal authority for the company, advising executive leadership and operational teams on construction law, contracts, compliance, corporate governance, risk management, and dispute resolution.The Director of Legal will play a critical role in supporting business growth while proactively mitigating legal and operational risk. This position requires a strong background in construction law, real estate matters, and contract negotiation, combined with the ability to translate complex legal concepts into actionable business guidance.The Company:The company is a Dallas-based commercial and multifamily construction firm operating statewide and experiencing rapid growth. It is known for delivering high-quality apartment and office environments while maintaining a strong culture centered around accountability, transparency, efficiency, and client-focused execution.Key Responsibilities: Construction Contracts & Risk Management • Draft, review, and negotiate construction-related agreements including general contractor contracts, subcontracts, vendor agreements, and design-build contracts, • Identify legal risks across projects and operations and implement proactive mitigation strategies, • Provide guidance on claims management, dispute avoidance, and contract compliance, • Maintain oversight of scope modifications and legal exposure throughout project lifecyclesCompliance & Regulatory Oversight, • Ensure compliance with applicable local, state, and federal laws, including OSHA, labor laws, and environmental regulations, • Develop and maintain internal policies and risk management frameworksDispute Resolution & Litigation Management, • Oversee litigation, mediation, arbitration, and dispute resolution matters, • Coordinate and manage outside counsel when required, • Provide strategic oversight of claims and legal proceedingsCorporate Governance & Administration, • Manage corporate governance matters and maintain corporate records, • Ensure adherence to corporate policies and ethical standards, • Maintain organized records of legal documents and proceedingsExecutive Advisory & Cross-Functional Support, • Serve as a strategic advisor to executive leadership and operational teams, • Provide legal guidance on real estate matters including leases, property transactions, and financing agreements, • Advise Human Resources on employment law matters, contracts, and policy compliance, • Support business operations by aligning legal strategy with company growth objectivesQualifications & ExperienceRequired, • Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school, • Active membership in the State Bar of Texas, • Minimum 10 years of legal experience in construction, real estate, or contract law, • Deep understanding of construction contracts, claims management, and dispute resolution, • Experience working closely with executive leadership in a business advisory capacityPreferred, • Prior in-house counsel experience within construction or real estate development, • Familiarity with contract management software and project management systemsCore Competencies, • Exceptional negotiation and contract drafting skills, • Strong written and verbal communication abilities, • Analytical and strategic problem-solving capabilities, • High professional integrity and sound judgment, • Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment, • Executive presence with the ability to communicate effectively to both legal and non-legal stakeholdersPhysical Requirements, • Ability to sit for extended periods, • Occasional lifting (20+ pounds) as required, • Compensation & Benefits, • Competitive compensation (DOE), • 401(k) with employer matching, • Medical, dental, and vision insurance, • Paid time off, • Standard 40-hour workweek minimum with additional availability as neededLocation: Dallas, TX Schedule: Monday–Friday, 8:30am–5:30pm (additional hours as needed)Why This Opportunity • Senior leadership role with direct executive visibility, • High-impact position shaping company risk and legal strategy, • Opportunity to support a fast-growing construction organization, • Broad exposure across contracts, governance, employment, real estate, and dispute management, • Long-term leadership stability in a growth-driven environment