Construction & Development Counsel

Fairfield Residential is seeking an experienced Construction & Development Counsel to provide legal support for construction, design, and development activities across our multifamily portfolio. This role serves as a key advisor to business leaders and project teams, helping navigate contracts, manage risk, resolve disputes, and support successful project delivery.

This position is based at our corporate office in San Diego, CA, with a hybrid work arrangement that includes regular in-office attendance. To support this schedule, candidates must be located within commuting distance of our Sorrento Valley office.

Below is a snapshot of what this role is all about. While there is more to it, this is the core focus.

Construction & Development Legal Support

• Act as primary legal advisor to construction team, advising on day-to-day management of business, disputes and associated risks.

• Draft, review, negotiate, and interpret construction, design, and development contracts and related legal agreements.

• Prepare and negotiate general contractor, subcontractor, and design-build agreements using AIA forms and Fairfield form contracts.

• Manage development and construction-related agreements, amendments, change orders, and related legal documents.

Risk Management & Dispute Resolution

• Manage and resolve disputes involving general contractors, subcontractors, design professionals, material suppliers, and other construction and development-related parties.

• Review construction claims, lien notices, stop payment notices, demands, and other construction and development matters requiring legal interpretation or response.

• Support mitigation strategies that reduce construction defect, contractual, and design-related risk exposure.

• Evaluate dispute risks and advise business leaders on practical resolution strategies.

Project & Development Support

• Support construction accounting processes, including review of draw requests, pay applications, lien waivers, and bonding requirements.

• Review and advise on construction insurance programs, including builder's risk policies, OCIP/CCIP wrap-up programs, and contractor insurance requirements.

• Provide legal guidance throughout project planning, entitlement, design, procurement, construction, and closeout phases.

• Partner with development, design, construction, risk management, and project management teams.

Business Partnership & Compliance

• Deliver practical, business-oriented legal advice that balances legal risk with project objectives.

• Advise stakeholders regarding applicable laws, regulations, licensing requirements, and industry standards.

• Support compliance initiatives related to construction, development, contracting, and insurance requirements.

• Build collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

Education & Certifications

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school.

• Active membership in good standing with at least one state bar.

• Admission to practice law in California required.

Experience

• Minimum of 7 years of experience practicing law at a mid-sized or large law firm, corporate legal department, or a combination of both.

• Experience supporting construction, design, development, or capital improvement projects in a multifamily or commercial real estate context preferred.

• Experience handling dispute resolution, contract interpretation, construction defect claims, design disputes, mechanic's lien matters, and related risk management matters.

• Familiarity with AIA contract forms, construction project delivery methods, and design and development processes is highly desirable.

• Demonstrated experience negotiating complex construction and development agreements.

• Experience advising senior business leaders and cross-functional teams.

• Experience managing outside counsel and external consultants preferred.

Skills & Competencies

• Construction Law Expertise: Applies comprehensive knowledge of construction law principles, industry practices, and evolving legal requirements to support project execution, risk mitigation, and dispute management.

• Contract Drafting & Negotiation: Drafts, reviews, negotiates, and interprets complex construction, design, development, and professional services agreements while protecting business interests and maintaining productive stakeholder relationships.

• Risk Assessment & Mitigation: Identifies legal, contractual, operational, and financial risks and develops practical strategies that reduce exposure while supporting business objectives.

• Dispute Resolution: Effectively manages claims, disputes, negotiations, mediation, arbitration, and litigation-related matters to achieve favorable and cost-effective outcomes.

• Construction Defect & Claims Management: Analyzes and resolves construction defect, delay, payment, design, and performance-related claims with sound legal judgment and business awareness.

• AIA Contract Knowledge: Demonstrates strong working knowledge of AIA contract documents and industry-standard construction contracting practices.

• Real Estate Development Acumen: Understands the legal and commercial aspects of multifamily and commercial development projects throughout the project lifecycle.

• Business Partnership: Builds trusted relationships with stakeholders and provides practical legal guidance aligned with organizational goals.

• Strategic Thinking: Evaluates complex issues, anticipates challenges, and recommends solutions that balance short-term needs with long-term business objectives.

• Regulatory Compliance: Interprets and applies laws, regulations, and industry requirements to maintain compliance and reduce organizational risk.

• Written Communication: Produces clear, concise, and persuasive legal documents, correspondence, analyses, and recommendations.

• Verbal Communication: Communicates legal concepts effectively to both legal and non-legal audiences.

• Project Management: Effectively prioritizes competing demands, manages multiple matters simultaneously, and delivers results in a fast-paced environment.

• Analytical Problem Solving: Applies critical thinking and sound judgment to evaluate facts, identify solutions, and support informed decision making.

• Collaboration & Influence: Works effectively across functional teams and influences outcomes through credibility, expertise, and partnership.

Ready to make an impact? Apply today!

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The pay range displayed for this position is determined by skills and experience required, location and job complexity*. Potential job offers may vary based on the skills, education, and experience an individual candidate holds. This range reflects base rate only, and does not include allowances, perks, commissions or bonuses applicable to this position (if any). In addition to base salary, Fairfield offers all full time associates the following, upon meeting eligibility requirements: 

• Paid time off, paid holidays and sick days, paid time off for volunteering activities (optional) 
• Matched 401(k) 
• Medical, dental & vision insurance 
• Flexible spending account 
• Life insurance 

* Pay range is a calculation based on a midpoint price. Fairfield complies with all wage and hour laws, including minimum wage and salary exempt requirements.