DescriptionJob Purpose and ResponsibilitiesThe Legal Counsel provides practical legal guidance to support Tapani's operations, protect company interests, and reduce business risk. This position works closely with leadership, project teams, operations, finance, safety, human resources, and outside counsel to review contracts, support claims and disputes, advise on compliance matters, and help ensure business decisions are legally sound and aligned with company values.
Responsibilities- Contract Review and Negotiation: Provide legal review and guidance on agreements that affect company operations and project delivery.
- Review, draft, and negotiate contracts, subcontracts, purchase agreements, vendor agreements, leases, and other business documents.
- Identify contract risks and recommend practical revisions or business solutions.
- Support project teams in understanding contract requirements, obligations, deadlines, and notice provisions.
- Claims, Disputes, and Risk Management: Support the company in identifying, managing, and resolving legal and business risks.
- Assist with claims, disputes, change order issues, payment matters, liens, collections, and project-related conflicts.
- Work with internal teams and outside counsel on litigation, arbitration, mediation, and other dispute resolution processes.
- Help develop strategies to reduce risk while supporting business goals and project success.
- Legal Compliance and Business Guidance: Advise the company on legal and regulatory matters that impact operations.
- Provide guidance on construction law, employment matters, safety-related legal issues, licensing, insurance, and other compliance requirements.
- Monitor legal developments that may affect company operations and recommend updates to policies or practices.
- Partner with departments to support consistent, compliant, and practical business decisions.
- Insurance, Bonding, and Risk Support: Assist with legal matters related to insurance coverage, bonding, and risk transfer.
- Review insurance, indemnity, warranty, and bonding requirements in contracts.
- Coordinate with insurance brokers, carriers, consultants, and internal stakeholders on claims and coverage matters.
- Help ensure contractual risk is properly understood, documented, and communicated.
- Outside Counsel and Legal Resource Management: Coordinate legal support from external partners when needed.
- Manage communication with outside counsel and support timely exchange of information.
- Review legal invoices and help monitor legal costs.
- Ensure outside legal support is aligned with company priorities and business needs.
- Policies, Documentation, and Training: Support clear legal processes and employee understanding of key legal topics.
- Develop, review, and update contract templates, legal forms, policies, and internal guidance documents.
- Provide training and guidance to employees on contracts, claims, documentation, risk management, and compliance topics.
- Promote consistent documentation practices to support project performance and protect company interests.
- Leadership and Cross-Functional Support: Serve as a trusted legal advisor across the organization.
- Partner with leadership and department managers to evaluate legal considerations in business decisions.
- Communicate legal concepts clearly and practically to non-legal team members.
- Maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment in sensitive matters.
- Uphold Tapani's Purpose document: Demonstrate actions and behaviors that align with Tapani's Purpose and Values (Purpose and Values).
Desired Skills and QualificationsSkills and Abilities- Strong knowledge of contract law, construction law, business law, and risk management practices.
- Ability to review, draft, and negotiate contracts with strong attention to detail.
- Clear written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain legal issues in practical business terms.
- Strong judgment, problem-solving skills, and ability to balance legal risk with business needs.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and confidential matters.
- Strong organizational skills and ability to work independently and collaboratively.
- Ability to build trusted working relationships with leadership, operations teams, project teams, and outside partners.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and ability to learn company software and document management systems.
Education and Experience- Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school required.
- Active license to practice law and good standing with the applicable state bar required.
- Experience in construction law, contract review, claims management, employment law, insurance, or corporate legal matters preferred.
- Experience working with construction, heavy civil, public works, private development, or contractor-related agreements preferred.
- Prior in-house counsel experience preferred but not required.
Other Requirements- Ability to work regular business hours, with flexibility as needed to meet deadlines, reporting schedules, audits, financing needs, or project demands.
- Must be able to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive financial information responsibly.
Note: Physical ability to perform assigned tasks, lift, push and pull 20 pounds at a time, and ability to sit, stand and work on computer for prolonged periods of time.
Note: This job description does not contain a comprehensive list of all job responsibilities of this position. Tapani reserves the right to modify the duties and responsibilities of the position as it deems necessary.