General Counsel

W.E. O'Neil Construction Company • Full-time • Irvine, CA, US • 6d ago

Department: Other

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Irvine, CA

Compensation: $250,000 - $310,000 / year

Description

The General Counsel will serve as the company’s chief legal and risk adviser, aligning legal strategy with the company’s business strategy. The role partners with executive leadership and regional teams to reduce enterprise risk, manage claims and compliance, standardize legal practices, and provide practical guidance that enables leaders to focus on project acquisition, project execution, and people development.

Reporting Relationship

The General Counsel reports directly to the Chief Executive Officer and works closely with the Executive Leadership Team, Presidents, and Business Unit leaders across all regions. The role partners regularly with Finance, Human Resources, Operations, and Information Technology. The Risk function reports to the General Counsel, with primary decision authority exercised in partnership with the CEO.

Key Responsibilities

Own enterprise-wide claims strategy and management of project disputes, insured claims, and other legal claims arising from construction operations, including early identification, disciplined escalation, and thoughtful resolution.
Establish and standardize contracting strategy and risk terms across regions, including prime contracts, MSAs, and subcontracts.
Lead enterprise insurance strategy in partnership with the CEO, including carrier and broker relationships and renewal preparation.
Select, manage, and rationalize outside counsel relationships, including oversight, expectations, and legal spending control.
Integrate and lead the Risk function under a unified enterprise risk strategy across regions and provide governance support and advice on strategic transactions as needed.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

Technical

Deep legal knowledge of construction contracting risk allocation, claims, and dispute resolution.
Strong capability managing outside counsel, legal matters, and legal spending with clear expectations and accountability.
Ability to translate legal risk into clear, practical guidance that supports business decisions.
Ability to utilize data analytics to inform legal strategy and decision-making.
Awareness of legal risks associated with emerging technologies including data privacy, cybersecurity, and generative AI tools used in construction operations and contract review processes.

Business and Management

Strong business judgment and ability to balance risk with operational needs.
Build standards, playbooks, and guardrails that increase speed and consistency without adding unnecessary friction.
Comfortable operating as a department of one initially while scaling the function deliberately.
Ability to help the business move forward by identifying practical paths to “yes” while protecting the company from unacceptable risk exposure.

Interpersonal

Clear, direct communicator who builds trust with executive leadership and regional teams.
Strong relationship builder through direct engagement, not email-only leadership.
Able to influence outcomes across a decentralized organization and address conflict productively.

Personal

Self-starter with strong ownership and follow-through.
High integrity, discretion, and accountability.
Calm under pressure, decisive, and practical.
Comfortable with ambiguity and urgency.

Qualifications

Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school.
Active membership in a U.S. State Bar is required; California licensure strongly preferred. 7+ years of legal experience with significant construction law exposure.
Demonstrated experience advising senior leaders in a complex, multi-region environment.

Physical Demands

Ability to sit or stand for extended periods in office and meeting settings.
Ability to travel for brief monthly regional visits and additional travel as business needs require.
Ability to review contracts, project documentation, and related materials for extended periods.
Use of standard office equipment (computer, phone, copier, etc.).

Work Environment

Primarily an office-based role with a standard Monday–Friday schedule.
Will involve periodic travel or remote work as needed.
Periodic time spent on project jobsites and in meetings across regions.
Typical indoor working conditions with standard lighting and ventilation.

Benefits

100% ESOP
Competitive Pay
Bonus Program
Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance
PTO/Sick
100% Life Insurance
401(K) with Match
Student Debt Program

Equal Employment

W.E. O’Neil is committed to an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants and will make all employment-related decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability or veteran status.

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