General Counsel

At BEAR Construction, we believe great projects start with great people. We’re a values‑driven contractor known for quality work, strong relationships, and a team‑oriented culture where employees are respected, supported, and empowered to do their best work. We offer the stability of an established company with the opportunity to grow, learn, and make a real impact on meaningful projects across our communities. At BEAR, you’re not just building structures — you’re building a career.BEAR Construction Company is seeking a seasoned General Counsel to lead the company’s legal affairs and serve as a trusted advisor to the Board of Directors and Executive Team. This role provides strategic legal guidance across corporate governance, construction contracting, risk management, claims/litigation, and surety bonding, while also building efficient legal processes and templates that support operations and growth.Key ResponsibilitiesCorporate GovernanceManage and oversee the organization’s legal matters and governance functions.Oversee statutory filings (including annual reports and related requirements) in all states where BEAR transacts business.Contracts & Contract Lifecycle ManagementDraft, review, and negotiate a wide range of agreements, including:Client construction-related agreementsSubcontractor-related agreementsThird-party vendor agreementsLicense agreementsLease transactionsDevelop and maintain standard form templates and contracting processes to increase in-house efficiency (including workflow improvements).Draft and maintain contract terms & conditions, policies, procedures, and legal documents that achieve company objectives and protect company assets while providing strategic risk guidance.Manage and oversee compliance with dates, notice requirements, and deadlines embedded in commercial documents.Provide recommendations and input on contracting procedures and continuous improvement.Support lien law and related construction payment/notice compliance (“lien law management”).Champion thoughtful use of technology to improve contracting visibility and speed, including document management and process transparency.Insurance Claims & Dispute ResolutionAssess the merits of (i) claims raised against BEAR and (ii) BEAR’s claims involving third parties.Oversee claims and pending litigation, lead discussions on resolution strategies.Participate in mediations and negotiate settlements as needed.Review and analyze insurance coverage implications on matters (including management of coverage litigation where applicable), including areas such as workers’ compensation and general liability.Manage the internal subpoena response process and coordinate with insurance adjusters and attorneys as needed.Determine when outside counsel is required; when engaged, formulate strategies and serve as liaison.Surety BondingSupport the CFO in execution of the surety program.Develop processes for orderly and timely procurement of required bonding.Legal Operations & Team SupportOversee paralegal support and legal administration functions.Provide independent legal advice on ad hoc projects as requested by leadership.QualificationsJ.D. and licensed to practice law in the State of Illinois.Minimum 10 years of experience in corporate and construction law, either:in-house General Counsel/Assistant GC, or private practice with significant construction focus.Strong familiarity with commercial construction law and practices.Working knowledge of Microsoft Office.Demonstrated ability to build practical processes/templates and manage multiple priorities in a deadline-driven environment (contract timelines, claims, compliance).