Sr. Legal Counsel

Overview

Gilbane Building Company is seeking an experienced in-house construction attorney to serve as Senior Legal Counsel supporting the Midwest-West Division (Illinois, Wisconsin and Indiana) and Next 150 Construction Services, LLC, a wholly owned self‑perform site services subsidiary of Gilbane. The role is responsible for end‑to‑end legal support on construction projects and divisional operations, including commercial contracting, claims and dispute avoidance and resolution, risk management, training, compliance and cross‑functional counseling.

The ideal candidate is a proactive, business‑minded construction lawyer who can work in a fast‑paced, field‑driven environment, balance risk with practical solutions, and influence outcomes across field operations, project management, estimating, preconstruction, procurement, safety, finance and executive leadership.

This position will be an integral part of the Legal Department supporting Gilbane Building Company and its subsidiaries. The attorney will report to the Vice President, Deputy General Counsel. Possible locations for this position are Gilbane’s Chicago, Milwaukee, or Indianapolis office.

As a Top‑10 ENR Contractor, Gilbane is a family‑owned business with 45 offices that has been shaping communities since 1870. Consistently recognized as one of the most reputable construction management firms in the country, Gilbane is committed to delivering projects safely and on‑time. You will have the opportunity to build schools, labs, hospitals, corporate offices, sports arenas and more! We are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace;

if your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification, we encourage you to apply anyway.

Someone who acts inclusively, shows empathy and treats others with respect and dignity to uphold Gilbane’s core value of Caring and a “People First” culture. You listen to understand, communicate clearly, solve problems, prioritize and implement alternatives, collaborate and support teammates, and demonstrate ownership while delivering on business outcomes. Your core values match Gilbane’s:
Integrity, Caring, Teamwork, Tough mindedness, Dedication to Excellence, Discipline, Loyalty, and Entrepreneurship.

Gilbane offers multi‑dimensional training opportunities through Gilbane University and a supportive team where you can learn new industry skills daily. You will protect and promote the interests of both Gilbane and the client in all matters, demonstrating leadership characteristics.

• Draft, review and negotiate a wide range of agreements: owner/CM agreements (CMAR/CM‑at‑Risk, CM as Agent, GMP, Design‑Build), design consultant agreements, subcontracts, purchase orders, equipment rental/lease agreements, master supply agreements, NDAs, teaming and JV agreements, and professional services agreements.
• Draft and negotiate self‑perform trade agreements, including equipment rental/ownership, demolition, selective interior trades, and labor‑intensive scopes typical of Next 150 operations.
• Structure, negotiate and update contract templates, playbooks and clause libraries, ensuring alignment with corporate standards and insurance/risk requirements.
• Support public and private sector procurement, bid protests, prequalification and compliance with RFP/RFQ requirements, including small/diverse business participation.

• Guide project teams on claim preservation, notice requirements, changes, delay/acceleration/disruption, differing site conditions, constructive changes, defective work, back charges and pass‑through claims.
• Manage pre‑dispute processes (issue escalation, negotiation, mediation, DRBs) and oversee outside counsel for litigation, arbitration and surety matters as needed.
• Handle lien and bond claims, subcontractor defaults/terminations and recovery strategies.
• Develop practical protocols for claims documentation.

• Partner with Risk/Insurance to ensure appropriate insurance strategies are utilized based on project…