Corporate Counsel - Construction & Property Management

Description

• Job Title: Corporate Counsel
• Department: D23 - Corporate Operations
• Reports To: Director of HR and Administration
• Status: Exempt

Position Summary: The Corporate Counsel serves as the in-house legal advisor for SC Swiderski, LLC, providing strategic guidance and day-to-day support on all legal matters affecting the company’s operations in residential construction, property development, property management, and subcontractor management. This role ensures compliance with applicable laws and regulations, mitigates legal and financial risks, drafts and negotiates contracts, and supports leadership with proactive counsel to advance the company’s growth, protect its assets, and uphold ethical business practices.

Job Duties:

Legal Advisory & Compliance ( 20%)

• Provide timely and practical legal advice to executive leadership, managers, and project teams on a broad range of issues, including corporate governance, construction law, real estate, leasing, employment, and risk management.
• Ensure company compliance with federal, state (with emphasis on Wisconsin law), and local regulations governing construction, property management, labor, and corporate operations.
• Monitor legal and regulatory developments impacting the business and recommend adjustments to policies and procedures.
• Develop compliance protocols for subcontractor oversight, ensuring subcontractor licensing, insurance, safety certifications, and regulatory compliance are consistently maintained.

Contracts & Transactions ( 30%)

• Draft, review, and negotiate a wide variety of contracts, including subcontractor agreements, vendor agreements, construction contracts, property management agreements, leases, purchase agreements, financing agreements, and service contracts.
• Create standardized subcontractor agreements that include indemnification, warranties, completion dates, insurance requirements, and dispute resolution procedures.
• Establish and maintain contract management processes to reduce risk and ensure accountability.
• Provide legal oversight during mergers, acquisitions, financing, and real estate transactions.

Risk Management & Dispute Resolution ( 25%)

• Advise on liability, indemnity, warranties, and insurance coverage across construction and property management operations.
• Manage subcontractor-related disputes, claims, and contract defaults, including mediation, arbitration, or litigation as appropriate.
• Coordinate with project managers to address issues such as subcontractor delays, non-performance, or non-compliance with safety and regulatory standards.
• Support the handling of disputes, claims, and litigation more broadly, including managing outside counsel when necessary.
• Develop policies and practices to prevent disputes, improve compliance, and mitigate legal exposure.

Corporate Governance & Internal Support ( 15%)

• Serve as corporate secretary for the company, maintaining corporate records, governance documents, and board-related materials.
• Advise leadership on corporate structure, entity formation, and shareholder matters.
• Collaborate with HR to support employment law compliance, employee relations, and policy development.
• Provide guidance on subcontractor onboarding processes, including proper documentation, insurance verification, and adherence to company standards.

Training and Leadership ( 10%)

• Provide training to managers, project managers, and staff on legal risk, subcontractor contract compliance, and ethical practices.
• Conduct training sessions on subcontractor legal obligations, insurance requirements, lien rights, and payment compliance.
• Act as a strategic partner to the CEO and executive leadership team, offering proactive and solution-oriented legal guidance aligned with business goals.

Requirements

Qualifications:

Education & Licensure:

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school required.
• Active license to practice law in the State of Wisconsin (or ability to become licensed promptly).

Experience:

• Minimum of 5–7 years of experience practicing law, with a strong background in corporate, construction, real estate, or commercial law.
• Experience with subcontractor agreements, construction project oversight, or risk management in the construction industry strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated success in negotiating and drafting contracts, resolving disputes, and advising on regulatory compliance.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:

• Strong knowledge of Wisconsin construction law, subcontractor law, real estate law, contract law, employment law, and corporate governance.
• Excellent judgment, problem-solving ability, and business acumen.
• Strong negotiation, drafting, and communication skills with the ability to explain complex legal issues in practical business terms.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, work independently, and provide sound, timely advice.
• Commitment to integrity, professionalism, and ethical business practices.

Work Schedule:

The work schedule for the Corporate Counsel requires the ability to work 45 – 50 hours per week during normal business hours of Monday – Friday, with occasional hours outside out of that range as business necessitates. Occasional construction site visits and other travel are required with this position.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to lift & carry 25 lbs
• Ability to occasionally navigate active construction sites
• Ability to sit at a computer desk for long periods of time
• Clear speaking and adequate hearing sufficient to communicate effectively and respond appropriately on-person, by email, and/or on the telephone.

Work Environment:

• Office-based with periodic travel to construction sites, properties, and subcontractor meetings as needed.
• Full-time exempt position with availability required outside normal business hours in certain circumstances.

Other Duties:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.  

Benefits:

A competitive pay package and an excellent benefits package: health, dental, life, disability, 401(k), and paid time off (holidays & vacation) await this highly motivated individual.

S.C. Swiderski (SCS), founded in Mosinee, Wisconsin in 1992 is a fully integrated real estate development company. SCS supports the development, design, construction, management, and maintenance of its portfolio. SCS values quality, trust, integrity, community, and innovation in its people and processes. SCS is committed to continuous growth and enhancing the housing industry by concentrating on providing solutions to housing needs.