Senior Counsel - Commercial

Matrix Service Company
15333 John F Kennedy Blvd
Houston, TX 77032, USA

The Sr. Counsel (Commercial) is responsible for a wide variety of legal tasks in support of a leading provider of engineering, fabrication, construction, maintenance, and repair services primarily to the oil, gas, power, petrochemical, industrial, and mining and minerals markets. Key tasks include reviewing client contracts; reviewing changes to the operating companies’ standard subcontract and vendor contracts; ensuring appropriate terms and conditions are negotiated and incorporated into all agreements;

interfacing with Operating Units to provide day-to day project execution/legal advice and counsel in multiple areas of the law, including but not limited to, construction, commercial, business, employment and insurance; managing commercial disputes; providing training to Company personnel on contract review and commercial management; and other assignments, as necessary.

• Actively support the Company’s commitment to safety and its “Core Values.”
• Represent the Company at all times with high moral standards while adhering to the Company’s “Code of Business Conduct and Ethics.”
• Understand, negotiate, draft and modify various types of customer contracts in support of the business, including EPC agreements, engineering agreements, construction agreements, fabrication agreements, maintenance agreements, etc.; ensure appropriate terms and conditions, risk factors and insurance requirements are within Company policies and standards.
• Work closely with OU executives, project management and other personnel to ensure proper understanding of contract provisions in connection with contract negotiations and execution of projects.
• Ensure managers are properly educated, trained and adhere to established Delegation of Authority and Contract Review and Proposal Policy guidelines.
• Assist executives and project management teams with commercial management of projects, including communicating and documenting changes and claims to be submitted in accordance with contract terms and resolution of contract disputes.
• Act as liaison between internal and external clients, subcontractors, vendors, and suppliers on contract issues.
• Ensure compliance with Company subcontractor approval process, including review/approve deviations from the operating company’s standard subcontract and vendor terms.
• Work closely with procurement and operations to ensure proper flow-down terms are incorporated into subcontracts.
• Advise internal clients on updates in federal or state laws or regulations affecting engineering and construction industry, etc.
• Under the supervision of the General Counsel, work with outside counsel on commercial and general liability litigation matters, including reviewing, analyzing and modifying pleadings, law and motions. Strategize with outside counsel to determine the best and most cost-effective ways to litigate the given case. Attend hearings, mediations and arbitrations as a Company representative. Prepare litigation reports on assigned cases.
• Assist with investigations and gather information on issues relating to Compliance, Human Resources and Safety or financial audits.
• Maintain understanding of Company’s insurance programs to ensure appropriate issues addressed in contracts and subcontracts, as well as the effect of those policies on assigned cases and projects.
• Perform additional responsibilities, as needed or requested.

• Juris Doctorate Degree;
  Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Construction, Human Resources, Safety, or other related field preferred.
• 7+ years’ legal experience, with an emphasis in the Engineering & Construction industry.
• Construction litigation experience considered a plus.
• License to practice law, in good standing, in any state.
• Ability to work independently, yet part of a Team, including with internal customers and other team members who work in various remote locations.
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to gather and weigh facts and information from many sources, draw conclusions and make recommendations to management.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with individuals at all organizational…