Counsel

Overview

A global consulting firm specializing in strategic advisory, project management, and dispute resolution is seeking Counsel to support its commercial legal needs. This role involves drafting, reviewing, and negotiating a broad range of commercial agreements and supporting strategic transactions such as mergers and acquisitions. The position emphasizes efficient contract execution, risk management, and collaboration with internal stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Draft, review, and negotiate various commercial agreements including Master Service Agreements, professional services and consulting agreements, subconsultant and subcontractor agreements, strategic partnership agreements, and Non-Disclosure Agreements.
• Manage contracts from intake through execution, ensuring efficient turnaround and alignment with risk management objectives.
• Collaborate with internal teams to facilitate timely contract review, negotiation, approval, and execution.
• Support mergers, acquisitions, and other strategic transactions by assisting with contract diligence, document organization, and transaction workflow coordination.
• Conduct contract diligence reviews identifying key provisions such as assignment, change of control, termination rights, indemnification, and related risks.
• Assist with transaction data room organization and post-closing integration activities including contract tracking and documentation updates.
• Monitor legal matters, project deadlines, and assigned tasks to ensure timely completion and high-quality deliverables.
• Travel as necessary to support client, employee, leadership, and transaction-related needs.
• Evaluate contractual risks, prioritize key risk drivers, and escalate complex or high-risk terms to senior legal counsel.
• Assist business stakeholders in understanding contractual obligations and risks.
• Review and negotiate non-standard customer contracts submitted through contract lifecycle management systems.
• Support development and implementation of contract templates, clause libraries, fallback language, and negotiation playbooks.
• Promote process improvements to enhance contract efficiency, consistency, and risk management.
• Maintain accurate contract documentation and records within legal operations systems.
• Manage the legal conflict check process, monitor conflict search results, and escalate conflicts as appropriate.
• Assist in implementing conflict mitigation strategies and support litigation, claims, and dispute resolution matters.
• Mentor and support paralegals and legal operations team members, providing feedback and guidance.
• Support organizational vision, strategic objectives, and operational priorities through professional and accountable work.

Requirements

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school and active membership in good standing with at least one state bar.
• Bachelor's degree with 5 years of related experience, or Master's degree with 3 years of related experience, or 8 years of related experience without a degree.
• Prior in-house legal experience and commercial contracting experience within a mid-sized to large regional or national law firm or corporate legal department with more than 10 attorneys.
• Knowledge of commercial contracting risks including indemnification, limitation of liability, insurance requirements, and government contracting provisions such as FAR clauses.
• Experience supporting litigation, claims, dispute resolution, and coordination with outside counsel preferred.
• Commitment to meeting deadlines and business objectives, including flexibility to work extended hours when required.
• Ability to travel as business needs require.

Preferred Skills

• Strong understanding of commercial contracting principles and risk allocation strategies.
• Excellent legal drafting, negotiation, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong research capabilities and attention to detail.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to build collaborative relationships with business leaders, clients, outside counsel, and team members.
• Experience with contract lifecycle management systems (e.g., Evisort) preferred.
• Experience with conflict management platforms (e.g., InTapp) preferred.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining accuracy and responsiveness.
• Strong organizational skills and sound business judgment.

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary ranges based on geographical tiers:
  • Tier AA (e.g., NY Metro, San Francisco, San Jose, Seattle): $118,000 - $322,000 USD annually
  • Tier A (e.g., Irvine CA, Middlesex NJ, Tacoma WA, Boston, Alexandria): $109,000 - $298,000 USD annually
  • Tier B (e.g., Baltimore, Chicago, Anchorage, Portland): $100,000 - $273,000 USD annually
  • Tier C (e.g., Atlanta, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Miami): $91,000 - $248,000 USD annually
  • Tier D (e.g., Mississippi, Mobile AL, Bowling Green KY, Tulsa): $87,000 - $236,000 USD annually
• Total compensation includes base salary and discretionary variable bonus.
• Comprehensive benefits package including multiple healthcare and dental plan options.
• Company-paid Life Insurance, Short-Term Disability, and Long-Term Disability coverage.
• 401(k) plan with immediate matching and full vesting.
• Flexible Spending Accounts and Employee Assistance Program.
• Generous paid time off program including vacation, sick time, and paid holidays.
• Tuition reimbursement and support for advanced education.

Location

Multiple geographic tiers with sample locations including:

• Tier AA: New York Metro, San Francisco, San Jose, Seattle
• Tier A: Irvine CA, Middlesex NJ, Tacoma WA, Boston, Alexandria
• Tier B: Baltimore, Chicago, Anchorage, Portland
• Tier C: Atlanta, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Miami
• Tier D: Mississippi, Mobile AL, Bowling Green KY, Tulsa

Additional Information

• The organization employs a fully staffed recruiting team and does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or employment agencies without a signed agreement.
• Unsolicited resumes submitted without prior agreement are considered the property of the organization with no financial obligation to the submitter.