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 sports and entertainment 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. 

The Role 

Suffolk is seeking people who are bold. Curious. Innovative. Caring. Looking for the career opportunity of a lifetime. We’ll challenge and inspire you to be your very best. We’ll embrace what makes you unique and lift you up as you take chances. Here, you’ll find a place where you can act with purpose and integrity, bringing intelligence and grit to every aspect of your job. Join us for the chance to achieve your ambitions and build your legacy. 

Assistant General Counsel, West Region 

Based in Los Angeles or San Francisco, the Assistant General Counsel will serve as a pivotal legal contact for California regional operations, supporting all legal and compliance matters affecting the area. The Assistant General Counsel will report directly to Suffolk’s Regional General Counsel. This position works directly and daily with the West Region operations team, the West Region leadership and legal teams and all relevant operational and functional staff. 

Responsibilities 

• Provide advice to leadership and operational staff on contracts, claims, litigation, compliance and other legal matters. 

• Lead/assist in the negotiation and drafting of complex construction agreements of varying types including owner contracts, subcontracts and vendor agreements, among others. 

• Proactively works with project teams to properly administer contracts, identify risk and implement risk mitigation plans while empowering the business to succeed. 

• Responds to legal inquiries from within the company and issue sound and comprehensive legal advice to all internal clients and stakeholders across the business. Internal clients include operations, human resources, finance, accounting and marketing, among others. 

• Manages outside counsel across relevant subject matter, including budgets and strategy. 

• Conducts live training to large groups on legal and compliance related topics, including but not limited to complicated construction contracts and compliance issues relevant for publicly and privately funded construction projects. 

• Drafts letters relating to contract administration and other issues for project teams to send to subcontractors, clients and other third parties. 

• Works closely with senior leadership in Operations and Legal to resolve claims with third parties. 

• Regularly (several times monthly) visits project sites in the region to collaborate with project teams. 

• Performs other duties as assigned by the company leadership. 

Qualifications: 

• At least 5-8 years of experience in the practice of complex construction law in a corporate legal department and/or a full-service law firm in the United States. Must have direct and significant experience managing complex matters in the vertical construction industry at a law firm or in-house. Please do not apply without meaningful experience as a vertical construction attorney.
• 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 in the state of California

Necessary Attributes: 

• Integrity based leadership to the core 

• Leads by example 

• Confident and calm 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 

• Able to use independent business and legal judgment 

• Demonstrates close attention to detail with outstanding written 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 

• Able to navigate ambiguity and make appropriate judgment calls 

• Able to anticipate leadership’s needs and independently identify, initiate and implement necessary actions 

Working Conditions 

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. 

EEO Statement 

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. 

Where required by law, pay ranges can be found in Suffolk's job postings. Base Salary for this position is just one component of Suffolk’s total rewards package for employees. 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 total rewards strategy. Salary ranges are reviewed regularly to reflect market trends.