Legal Counsel at HDR

HDR seeks an experienced and collaborative attorney who is fully versed in the legal areas of engineering, architecture, consulting, design and construct, program and construction management in the public and private sector in Australia to serve as our regional counsel primarily for APAC and the Middle East.  Our ideal candidate has legal experience in the Architecture/Engineering industry and has great interpersonal and influencing skills, oral and written communication skills, an ability to anticipate and deliver legal support to satisfy the needs of a dynamic, diverse, and global business team, and the flexibility to manage an evolving variety of assignments.

Primary Objectives

The primary duty of this role is to serve as the main point of contact for the global in-house legal team in Australia with the responsibility to provide legal support for HDR’s business in APAC and the Middle East, and serve as a back-up resource to the UK and European markets. This person will report to the Legal Department and focus on building a trusted legal partnership with the senior leadership and staff located in the APAC, the Middle East, and globally.

Responsibilities

• In collaboration with the Legal Department, provide comprehensive legal services during pursuit, negotiation, and delivery of professional and consulting services contracts across various disciplines, including engineering, architecture, program and construction management, technical advisory services, and environmental consulting.
  • Review, prepare, and negotiate teaming agreements, term sheets, memoranda of understanding, professional/design services contracts and subcontracts under various project delivery models, including traditional design-bid-build and alternative delivery models such as design and construct and alliance agreements across both public and private markets. 
  • Review, prepare, and negotiate other agreements ancillary to professional services and business operations.
  • Actively participate in periodic project review meetings with operations and business group leadership for larger projects.
  • Summarize and explain, both verbally and in writing, legal terms and risks for benefit of senior leadership with respect to higher risk projects.
  • Maintain, revise and update HDR’s APAC + Middle East-specific commercial agreement forms as needed.
  • Monitor legal and contracting trends and developments in the architecture, engineering and construction industry with a particular focus on APAC + Middle East. Stay well informed of industry standard commercial forms and review and revise same consistent with HDR’s risk management practices. 
  • Collaborate with and report to Legal department colleagues and supervisor(s) including business group counsel where appropriate regarding contractual items, project issues or to elevate approvals.
• Serve as the key contact in APAC + Middle East to facilitate and assist with legal guidance on compliance with HDR policies, governance, entity management, ethics & compliance, compliance with laws including intellectual property, competition and procurement laws. 
• Collaborate with the Litigation and Risk Management team on providing legal support for potential claims, disputes and assistance on debt recovery (including knowledge of alternative dispute resolution procedures).
• Coordinate the efforts of outside attorneys on a case-by-case basis as approved by General Counsel.  
• Support and implement Legal Department initiatives including training programs for operational staff.
• Engage with and represent the HDR Legal Department in a professional and constructive, supportive manner in all communications and interactions.
• Perform other duties as assigned / as needed across all HDR companies.
• Collaborate across the Legal Department for the professional growth and development of the legal team through formal and informal mentoring. 

Preferred Requirements

• 12+ years progressive experience practicing law preferred
• Aptitude to thrive in a dynamic environment and manage competing demands.
• Exemplary analytical, oral and written communication skills, particularly in persuasion, diplomacy, leadership, and advocacy.
• Strong results orientation with a dedicated client focus and ability to establish a trusted advisor relationship with business clients.
• Superior collaboration and effective communication skills to interact across the organization
• Experience in architecture, engineering, and/or construction law; experience should include strong drafting and negotiation skills with complex agreements. 
• Public contracting/procurement experience, including review and analysis of requests for proposals and similar solicitation documents for the design and construction of public projects.
• Knowledge of industry standard commercial agreement forms for design and construction
• Strong organizational skills.
• Collaborative, pragmatic, and effective communication skills to interact across organization, with clients, contractors, and subcontractors both domestically and internationally.
• Strong teamwork skills, emotional intelligence, and ability to lead through trusted advising.
• Personal aptitude to thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment and manage competing demands with respect, tact, and diplomacy.
• Demonstrated track record of being proactive and focused on continuous improvement.