Job DescriptionAssociate Counsel, Risk & Contracts will work closely with the Insurance and Surety Risk Counseling Services Leader to support DPR and its related entities on matters of risk management, corporate insurance and surety programs, contractual risk transfer, and construction contracting. This role has a dual focus: providing legal support on insurance, surety, and risk allocation issues, while also serving as a backup resource to DPR's contracting counsel team on broader contract review and negotiation needs across a variety of construction agreements, including Owner contracts, subcontracts, supply agreements, and professional services contracts.
The position assists DPR teams at every stage of projects and business ventures by reviewing, drafting, and negotiating contract terms, advising operations teams on insurance coverage and risk management, and helping address a broader range of contract issues as business demands require. Applicants should possess a law degree, have 3-5 years of experience in construction law and/or insurance counseling, and demonstrate strong skills in contract drafting, negotiation, and practical risk assessment. The ideal candidate will be a self-starter, work effectively as a team player, and demonstrate strong organizational and technology skills.
Key Responsibilities:
- Assist DPR teams in reviewing, drafting, and negotiating Owner contracts, subcontracts, professional services agreements, and supply agreements, with a primary focus on insurance, surety, indemnity, and other risk allocation provisions, and identify related legal and business risks involving insurance coverage, surety obligations, risk of loss, consequential damages, and other key contract terms
- Serve as a backup resource to DPR's contracting counsel team by reviewing and negotiating a broader range of contractual terms and issues beyond insurance, as business needs require
- Advise DPR teams on corporate insurance and surety programs, project-specific insurance requirements, and how contractual
obligations may impact available coverage - Review client-provided builder's risk, Owner Controlled Insurance Programs, Contractor Controlled Insurance Programs, and other project-specific policies, and support oversight of related insurance placements and programs, to assess coverage and identify potential gaps
- Partner with operations teams and legal colleagues to develop practical solutions for managing contract risk, whether through revised contract language, risk transfer strategies, operational controls, or insurance products
- Prepare guidance, training materials, and educational content for DPR teams on insurance-related issues, contractual risk transfer, and key construction contract terms
Education & Experience:
- Law degree from an accredited law school
- At least 3-5 years of experience representing owners, contractors, and/or subcontractors in negotiating construction contracts, including experience with both insurance-related provisions and broader commercial/legal terms
- Working knowledge of construction industry-related insurance, including builder's risk, general liability, controlled insurance programs, and subcontractor default insurance
- Experience reviewing and negotiating a wide range of construction contract provisions, such as indemnity, limitation of liability, schedule, payment, changes, delay, default, dispute resolution, and termination, is preferred
Certifications & Licenses:
- Law license required
- CRIS, CPCU, or other insurance designation is a plus
