Commercial Contracts Lawyer

A Commercial Contracts Lawyer responsible for drafting, negotiating, and advising on contracts for technology and manufacturing clients selling products or services to entities in receipt of U.S. government funds subject to the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS). This role combines regulatory expertise with AI‑augmented legal delivery, working within Johnson Hana's technology‑enabled managed services model to ensure all transactions adhere to complex regulatory, statutory, and compliance requirements. Key Responsibilities Contract Drafting & Negotiation Prepare, review, and negotiate sophisticated commercial contracts involving FAR and DFARS flowdown provisions, certifications, and audit rights Handle high‑volume "battle of the forms" scenarios (purchase orders, order acknowledgements, quotes with competing terms) Advise on risk allocation, regulatory requirements, and special federal terms across varying complexity tiers—from university purchase orders to prime contractor MSAs Develop and use templates/guidance for government‑funded sales transactions Calibrate negotiation approach based on customer type (universities, government entities, prime contractors, subcontractors) AI‑Augmented Legal Delivery Collaborate with Eudia technology team to build and refine MIND playbooks for automated FAR/DFARS clause identification and analysis Train AI systems on government contracting nuances, providing subject matter expertise to enhance automation capabilities Review and validate AI‑generated contract analysis, ensuring accuracy and regulatory compliance Document negotiation patterns and clause precedents to continuously improve automation efficiency Work within blended human‑AI workflow to achieve 50‑77% efficiency improvements over traditional legal delivery Regulatory Compliance Maintain deep expertise in FAR, DFARS, cybersecurity, export control, and supply chain requirements for federal fund recipients Ensure company and client policies comply with procurement rules governing commercial sales to federal grantees, contractors, and subrecipients Identify and flag high‑risk clauses including IP provisions, indemnification, limitation of liability, and warranty terms specific to government contracting Navigate competing regulatory frameworks when clients sell to both commercial and government‑funded customers Client & Stakeholder Management Serve as primary legal contact for government‑funded commercial transactions Interact with contracting officers and client compliance managers to resolve contract interpretation, amendments, and compliance disputes Partner with client legal teams (in‑house counsel, compliance managers, external stakeholders) to understand business priorities and risk tolerance Risk Management & Strategic Advisory Evaluate and communicate contract and compliance risks, including mandatory disclosure, audit, and termination provisions Support investigations and resolution of government‑related contractual issues Balance regulatory compliance with commercial pragmatism, understanding when to push back and when to accommodate based on customer tier and deal value Document institutional knowledge systematically to build scalable playbooks and reduce reliance on outside counsel Monitor regulatory developments and update contract forms/templates accordingly Participate in regular client governance meetings with documented performance metrics Essential Skills & Qualifications Juris Doctor (JD) and valid bar membership (any U.S. jurisdiction) Significant experience (typically 5+ years) in drafting and counselling on commercial contracts involving FAR/DFARS terms and federal funding compliance Deep knowledge of federal procurement rules, contract negotiation strategies, and flow down requirements for commercial and technology providers (not government‑side contracting experience) Excellent analytical, communication, and stakeholder management skills Proven ability to work independently in remote/distributed team environments Comfort with legal technology and AI‑augmented workflows—willingness to "teach" systems and work collaboratively with technology teams Ideal Candidate Profile Demonstrated ability to manage high‑volume, variable‑complexity portfolio of contracts subject to U.S. government requirements Strong understanding of both legal and business imperatives for commercial suppliers selling into government‑funded projects, particularly manufacturing, technology, and defense contractor supply chains Detail‑oriented, organized, and adaptable to evolving procurement regulations Collaborative mindset—willing to share knowledge openly and work within managed services delivery model Self‑starter who thrives with autonomy while maintaining strong communication with stakeholders Intellectually curious about legal technology and motivated by efficiency improvement Experience working with outside counsel‑to‑in‑house transitions or legal services consolidation a plus Seniority Level Mid‑Senior level Employment Type Contract Job Function Legal Industries Legal Services #J-18808-Ljbffr