Assistant General Counsel

About Suffolk  

Suffolk is a national enterprise that builds, innovates, and invests. We provide value across the entire project lifecycle through our core construction management services and complementary business lines in real estate investment, design, self-perform construction, and technology start-up investment (Suffolk Technologies). By integrating data, artificial intelligence, and advanced technology through our Seamless Platform, we connect design, construction, and operations to deliver smarter, more predictable results and redefine how America builds. 

Suffolk – America’s Contractor – is a national company with more than $9 billion in annual revenue, 3,000 employees, and 17 offices, including Boston (headquarters), New York City, Miami, West Palm Beach, Tampa, Estero, Dallas, Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, Las Vegas, Herndon, U.S. Virgin Islands, and other key markets. Suffolk manages some of the most complex and transformative projects in the country, serving clients across healthcare, life sciences, education, gaming, aviation, transportation, government, mission critical, and commercial sectors. Suffolk is privately held and is led by founder, chairman and CEO John Fish. Suffolk is ranked #8 on ENR’s list of “Top CM-at-Risk Contractors.” For more information, visit www.suffolk.com and follow Suffolk on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram. 

At Suffolk, we believe that our total rewards program should offer you and your family the support you need when it matters most. That’s why we have created a program that provides employees with access to a wide variety of options that can be personalized to support you and your loved ones physically, emotionally, and financially. 

Benefits include, competitive salaries, auto allowances and gas cards for certain roles, access to market leading medical and emotional and mental health benefits, dental, and vision insurance plans, virtual care options for physical therapy and primary care, generous paid time off, 401k plan with employer match and access to expert financial resources, company paid and voluntary life insurance, tax deferred savings accounts, 10 backup daycare days each year, short- and long-term disability, commuter benefits and more.  For more information, click here. 

The Role

Working out of either the Dallas, TX or Herndon, VA office and traveling periodically to project sites across the country, the Assistant General Counsel, Mission Critical will serve as a pivotal legal contact for Suffolk’s Mission Critical group operations, supporting all legal matters affecting the group. The Assistant General Counsel will report to the regional General Counsel, Mission Critical. This position works directly and daily with the Mission Critical General Counsel, the Mission Critical leadership team, and project operational staff.

The primary responsibilities will require the successful candidate to do the following, under the supervision of the Mission Critical General Counsel:

• Provide advice to leadership and operational staff on contracts, claims and other legal matters.
• Assist with the negotiation of construction management agreements, subcontracts and other complex legal agreements.
• Proactively work with project teams to properly administer contracts, identify risk and implement risk mitigation plans while empowering the business to succeed.
• Research and master key state laws affecting construction as the Mission Critical group moves into new markets, monitor changes in applicable law, and advise leadership regarding the implications of such laws.
• Handle legal inquiries from within the company and issue sound and comprehensive legal advice to all internal clients and stakeholders.
• Manage outside counsel, if any, including budgets and strategy.
• Conduct training on legal and compliance related topics, including but not limited to complicated construction contracts.
• Draft letters relating to contract administration and other issues for project teams to send to subcontractors, clients and other third parties.
• Work closely with senior leadership and the Mission Critical General Counsel to resolve claims with third parties.
• Periodically visit project sites within the Mission Critical group to collaborate with project teams, and travel to other Suffolk regional offices as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Mission Critical General Counsel and the Corporate Executive Vice President/General Counsel.

Approximately 4-9 years of extensive experience in the practice of complex construction law in a corporate legal department and/or a full-service law firm. Prior corporate legal department experience in the construction industry is highly preferable.

Licensing, certification, registrations:

• Requires bachelor’s degree from a 4-year college or university and a Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited law school
• Excellent academic credentials
• Bar Admission to the state where the Assistant General Counsel is located, or to California, Massachusetts, Texas, New York, or Virginia, or a state with reciprocity with one of the foregoing, is preferrable.

Necessary Attributes:

• Integrity to the core
• Leads by example
• Confident in complex and difficult situations/negotiations
• Strong work ethic and independent self-starter who is at all times a team player
• Able to work independently with minimum oversight
• Use independent judgment and exhibit leadership techniques
• Demonstrate close attention to detail with outstanding work product
• Able to work effectively as part of a team with a positive and collaborative attitude
• Reliable, self-motivated and well organized with the ability to juggle multiple priorities
• Independent and proactive
• Able to navigate ambiguity and make appropriate judgment calls
• Able to anticipate leadership’s needs and independently identify, initiate and implement necessary actions
• Willing to travel periodically to project sites in different states, including Pennsylvania, Virginia, Texas, Iowa, Oklahoma, and Oregon, periodically. This is a fundamental requirement of the role.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit for long periods of time; talk or hear; perform fine motor, hand and finger skills in the use of a keyboard, telephone, or writing. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; and reach with arms and/or hands. Specific vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus. The employee will spend their time in an office environment with a quiet to moderate noise level. Job site walking.

Suffolk provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy or maternity, national origin, citizenship, genetic information, disability, protected veteran, gender identity, age or any other status protected by law. This policy applies to recruiting, hiring, transfers, promotions, terminations, compensation, benefits, and all other terms and conditions of employment. Suffolk will not tolerate any unlawful discrimination toward, or harassment of, applicants or employees by anyone at Suffolk, or anyone working on behalf of Suffolk.

Base Salary for this position is just one component of Suffolk’s total compensation package.  Actual salaries may be based on several factors including, but not limited to, a candidate's skill set, experience, education and other qualifications.  Suffolk offers a comprehensive benefits package as part of its overall compensation strategy.