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Posted Nov 12
Full Time
On Site
Newport Beach, California

McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. is America's premier, 100% employee-owned commercial construction company. With offices nationwide, we specialize in a wide range of project types that are as diverse and wide-ranging as the communities in which we build. Our innovative teams collaborate with clients and industry partners throughout the project life cycle, starting in the earliest stages of design, throughout construction and beyond project completion.
McCarthy’s reputation for tackling the toughest building challenges starts with our focus on developing high-performing individuals and teams. We do this through our award-winning training programs, a best-in-class Total Rewards benefits program, and a focus on equipping diverse teams of employee owners through a connected and inclusive culture aligned with our values of: Genuine. We, Not I. All In.
How do McCarthy partners define our culture?
We Live Our Core Values. We do whatever it takes to deliver on our promises with honesty and integrity.

We are Employee Owned. We are personally invested in building the things people need in our communities.

We Feel Like a Family. We value genuine connections and help each other succeed in an inclusive environment.

We are Builders. We respect the work we do and everyone who helps make it happen safely.

Position Description
 
The Corporate Counsel’s primary responsibility is to provide assistance to various members of the Company’s Legal Department and Operations in managing all aspects of legal issues encountered by a major general contractor working in numerous markets and industries. The Corporate Counsel position entails being a team member in a forward-thinking, dynamic Legal Department that is highly integrated and well-respected within the organization.  Our lawyers are valued for their legal advice, but also respected for their balanced approach and focus on the business side of the deal. 
 
Primary Duties and Responsibilities
  • Identify and communicate legal risks and opportunities by demonstrating a deep understanding of construction contracting matters, industry trends, and business needs.
  • Articulate risks and opportunities in clear and understandable terms to help project teams understand contracts and/or claims and make timely and informed decisions. 
  • Anticipate legal issues and proactively engages and supports the broader legal team.
  • Exhibit the highest standards of integrity and professionalism consistent with Company values, particularly when representing the Company in external meetings and negotiations.
  • Embody our Company and department values when representing the Company and its stakeholders, fostering positive relationships internally and externally, and promoting a positive image within the legal and construction communities.
  • Assist in all aspects of private and public construction law including prevailing wage, union issues, labor law, competitive bidding, delay claims, warranty issues, subcontractor claims, lien, stop notices, bond claims, and surety law, among others. 
  • Manage subcontractor defaults; work with project teams to ensure that the Company’s interests are properly protected by subcontractors’ bonding companies; assist in managing litigation arising out of any breach of payment or performance bonds.  
  • Conduct moderate to complex legal research on a variety of topics that relate to the business.  
  • Draft memoranda, correspondence, and reports summarizing research findings and offer opinions regarding liability, risk transfer, and exposure.  
  • Assist with all aspects of litigation; respond to document requests, prepare discovery responses, review and edit motions, briefs, and memoranda from outside counsel; assist with managing outside counsel throughout the pre-litigation and litigation processes. Respond to third party subpoenas. 
  • Assist in managing builder’s risk insurance, general liability, professional liability and other insurance issues on a variety of different project types in both pre-litigation and litigation.  
  • Assist project teams in understanding basic insurance coverage for construction defect, builder’s risk, auto, worker’s compensation, and property damage claims while working in conjunction with the Risk Management Department.  
  • Assist in communications with various national, state, and local regulatory agencies, such as the Occupational Health and Safety Administration, Storm Water Regulatory Agencies, Air Quality Management Districts and the National Labor Relations Board.  
  • Develop an understanding of applicable public contracting and labor codes and provide training to project teams as part of the Company’s compliance program; assist in managing prevailing wage and apprenticeship ratio investigations and penalties issued by applicable regulatory agencies; assist in managing outside counsel representing the Company during the administrative hearing process.  
  • Assist in preparation for and attend mediation and arbitration.  
  • Provide general legal advice to the Company’s team members on a broad array of issues.  
­­­­­­­­Expectations 
  • Demonstrates strong negotiation skills.
  • Provides clear, consistent, practical, and analysis-based legal guidance based on Company policy, the law, and business objectives.
  • Identifies and mitigates key contractual and/or claims risks.
  • Collaborates and integrates with internal stakeholders at all levels of the organization.
  • Manage priorities effectively and provides timely decision making that matches or exceeds project pace.
  • Recognition of appropriate timing to elevate issues.
Leadership Skills 
  • Team Player with ability to work with a wide variety of people and provide insights and recommendations on a multitude of legal issues.
  • Strong Communicator who accurately and effectively communicates risks and opportunities in understandable terms to partners within the Company and considers broader implications of each request using well-reasoned thoughts and opinions.
  • Collaborator who understands the value of team collaboration and partners with operations to guide them through complex legal issues. 
  • Curious listener with the ability to ask the right questions.
  • Professional, adaptable, and relatable partner.
  • Proactively drives issues to resolution while partnering with operations to develop and implement solutions.
Experience
  • Minimum of four years of experience as an attorney.
  • Juris Doctorate from an ABA accredited law school.
  • Licensed to practice law in the State of California and admitted to the California State Bar.
  • Litigation experience.
  • Experience working with construction agreements and familiarity with construction law is a plus. 

Salary is based on experience between $140,000 - $180,000 per year