Legal Counsel - Remote or Onsite

Legal Counsel - Remote or Onsite 

The Bilfinger group of companies enhances the efficiency of assets, ensures a high level of availability, and reduces maintenance costs for its clients. Its portfolio covers the entire value chain from consulting, engineering, manufacturing, assembly, maintenance, plant expansion, as well as turnarounds.

Bilfinger North America Inc. is a maintenance and construction company working in the process, industrial, government services, and offshore industries with annual revenues of $650MM. 

Driven by integrity and a long-standing culture of performance excellence, Bilfinger doesn’t just build structures – we build relationships. Our professionals share a common goal; to keep promises, honor commitments and exceed client expectations. Our performance is what has helped, and continues to help forge strong partnerships, which are strengthened over time. Bilfinger North America Inc. provides employees with training and opportunities, both internally and externally, to further develop in their role and prepare them for elevated roles. 

The Role

The Legal Counsel role will report directly to the Vice President Legal and will focus on both (i) the management of disputes, litigation, and claims arising from the company’s operations, and (ii) the drafting and negotiation of construction-related contracts, change orders, and claims.    

Qualifications:

• J.D. degree from an ABA-approved law school and an active member in good standing of a United States jurisdiction

• If not licensed in Texas, ability to obtain licensure in Texas within six (6) months of hire

• 5+ years of experience in the resolution of disputes in the construction industry with some second chair experience with litigation or arbitration of construction disputes highly preferred

• Experience with construction and engineering agreements highly preferable, maritime/offshore experience also desired

• Knowledge of ESI systems and software, and demonstrated experience with the efficient review of voluminous documents in construction litigation preferred

• Extraordinary organization, time management, and interpersonal skills

• Must demonstrate a strong ability to:

  • Deliver sound and timely legal advice

  • Adapt and be flexible to frequent changes in a fast-paced work environment

  • Demonstrate integrity consistent with Bilfinger’s core values

  • Collaborate and work effectively in a team environment with people of various backgrounds and styles

  • Strong verbal and written communication skills, to include clear, concise, and professional presentation of information

  • Adapt to the constantly evolving world of technology, may include but not limited to: Microsoft Office suite, Contract Management, and eDiscovery software

Responsibilities:

• Support Bilfinger North America Inc. and its subsidiaries in the resolution of any litigation, arbitration, or claims matters arising from its projects and operations

• Provide advice and guidance to the operations team to assist in the resolution of issues related to ongoing projects

• Provide legal advice and services on issues concerning the rights, obligations and privileges of the company

• Provide legal advice and counsel to the Human Resources Department on potential and existing labor and employment issues

• Review and edit construction agreements in the industrial and commercial markets based upon the company’s contracting requirement

• Research, as necessary, applicable areas of the law for the jurisdiction where the work will be performed

• Participate with the operations team in the final negotiations of agreements with the clients

• Manage external counsel, consultants, and internal teams engaged in the resolution of any litigation, arbitration, or claims matters, working to ensure the company gets value and results for its legal expenditures

• Assist in the development and implementation of dispute resolution, contracting, and claims policies and procedures

• Develop training programs and procedures to anticipate, avoid, and minimize disputes, and to resolve disputes efficiently when they occur, preserving important company relationships with clients and subcontractors

• Research, as necessary, applicable areas of the law for the jurisdiction where the work will be performed

• Assist in the resolution of business or technical issues by identifying legal solutions and recommending a course of action

• Interface with insurers in the coordination of coverage for insured matters

• Coordinate review and negotiation efforts with internal subject matter experts

• Report to and consult with the Vice President Legal on material issues arising in the areas mentioned above or in the region in general and take on additional duties and responsibilities as assigned

This role can be based from a remote work from home office location with periodic travel to our Houston office along with travel as necessary for training and the resolution of litigation, arbitration, or claims matters or as otherwise directed by the Vice President Legal.

If local to the Houston or DC Metro area, the role would be based either from our Deer Park, The Woodlands, or Reston office location with travel as necessary for training and the resolution of litigation, arbitration, or claims matters or as otherwise directed by the Vice President Legal.

• Performance of the required job duties will be in an office environment with prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.

• The ability to frequently lift and/or move up to 15 pounds.

#ZR

Please reach out to Kelly Cocca Baker (281) 714 - 6883 in case of any questions related to this position. 

Bilfinger North America Inc.  is an Equal Opportunity Employer – All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin or ancestry, age, marital status, genetic information, disability, protected veteran status, on the basis of traits historically associated with race (including hair texture, hair type, and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists), or any other status protected by the law.

This employer participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. If E-Verify cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, this employer is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or Social Security Administration (SSA) so you can begin to resolve the issue before the employer can take any action against you, including terminating your employment. Employers can only use E-Verify once you have accepted a job offer and completed the Form I-9.

Fraudulent employment offers
We are aware that fraudulent employment offers are being transmitted via email by people claiming to be employees or representatives of Bilfinger. Prospective candidates are provided job descriptions and employment letters and are asked to complete and return employment information forms as well as official tax forms. These job offers may look genuine and could include names of Bilfinger legal entities, Bilfinger executives, their signatures, seals of “authenticity”, the Bilfinger brand and logo. Please be advised that these communications are FRAUDULENT and are NOT sent from anyone within or affiliated with Bilfinger. These email messages are a scam and should be treated as such. Bilfinger does not make job offers via social media, unsolicited email or without personally interviewing candidates first. We never send you cheques in order to pay contractors to set up a home office. Never send money or pass on personal details to anyone suggesting they can provide employment with Bilfinger, and never reply to an email address that does not end in @bilfinger.com.

If you receive such a message, you are advised to contact your local law enforcement agency and provide any details you may have. You also may forward the messages to compliance.helpdesk@bilfinger.com.

If you are interested in an employment with Bilfinger, please submit your application in the safe environment of our global job portal only.