Director of Legal Affairs
Company: Olson Kundig
Location: Seattle
Posted on: November 13, 2024
Job Description:
Olson Kundig is a design practice founded on the idea that
buildings can serve as a bridge between nature, culture and people,
and that inspiring surroundings have a positive effect on people's
lives. The firm's work can be found across the globe, with projects
as wide-ranging as huts to high rises, homes-often for art
collectors-to academic, cultural and civic projects, museums and
exhibition design, places of worship, creative production, urban
design, and interior design.Currently, we are seeking a Director of
Legal Affairs to join and lead the legal and contracts team and
contribute to the overall excellence of work coming from Olson
Kundig.Primary Responsibilities:The Director of Legal Affairs plans
and directs all aspects of the firm's legal affairs, manages a team
of legal staff, and ensures all firm business policies and
activities are managed in compliance with current laws. Develops
and implements strategies and processes to support the firm's
practice and broad operational objectives. Serves on various
leadership teams to support the firm direction and focus. Executes
high-impact initiatives to achieve overall firm and department
goals.Contract Management & Negotiation
- Oversees and leads the legal affairs department on all contract
administration tasks, including initiation, tracking, writing,
reviewing, and revising various documents and agreements.
- Researches and implements contract management solutions,
including insurance tracking and electronic signature integration.
Provides leadership in developing efficient contracting processes
and templates.
- Directly engages with clients, consultants, and their legal
representatives during negotiations.
- Collaborates with external legal counsel and internal
departments to assess the need for new agreements or
amendments.
- Stays updated on relevant laws and trends to update contracts
and legal templates, providing recommendations for revisions as
needed.Insurance Renewals & Risk Management
- Manages firm-wide insurance renewal process and acts as the
primary point of contact for insurance matters.
- Conducts detailed review of current insurance policies to
assess coverage, limits, and terms, identifying necessary
adjustments to align with changing business needs.
- Prepares thorough documentation and submissions for insurance
renewals. Maintains organized records of insurance policies,
renewals, program updates, and relevant correspondence.
- Coordinates premium payments and liaises with the finance
department to ensure timely processing.Corporate Governance,
Compliance, Licensing and Business Registrations
- Leads the development, revision, and adherence of
organizational policies and procedures to relevant laws and
regulations, offering leadership guidance on legal matters
affecting the firm's areas of operation. Ensures legal review of
firm communications, contracts, documents, and filings.
- Manages and monitors the firm's state registrations and
business license obligations. Keeps leadership informed of changes
in laws and regulations affecting licensure and reporting
requirements, proposing compliance solutions and best
practices.
- Under the CEO's direction, provides legal counsel to
shareholders and assists in periodic review and updating of bylaws,
shareholder documents, and other corporate compliance materials.
Manages corporate governance matters, including drafting
shareholder buy/sell agreements, corporate by-laws, minutes books,
and corporate resolutions.
- Protects and manages all intellectual proprietary matters,
patents, and copyright filings.General Legal Counsel and Leadership
- Leads the development, revision, and compliance of the firm's
legal policies and procedures in accordance with relevant laws and
regulations. Aids in safeguarding the firm's legal interests and
upholding its operations with integrity and stewardship.
- Leads all matters related to litigation, dispute resolutions
and professional service claims.
- Offers practical, action-oriented advice on the firm's
operations and strategic administrative matters on a day-to-day
basis to leadership, owners, and staff across all levels.
- Identifies and analyzes legal issues, drafts essential
documents, and presents clear recommendations and options to
leadership to ensure legal compliance.
- Under the COO's supervision, manages the implementation of a
Records Management and Records retention program. Develops and
oversees the Legal budget. Oversees the work of external counsel to
address legal matters and claims promptly and
effectively.Education/Skills/Experience:
- Juris Doctor from an ABA-accredited law school and be a member
in good standing of the bar in at least one US state.
- 10+ years of in-house counsel and related work experience with
contract administration and corporate compliance and governance
(familiarity with AIA documents and contracts is a plus).
- Communicates effectively verbally and in writing, demonstrating
the ability to communicate effectively with all levels of internal
and external "clients" and vendors to successfully impact
decision-making.
- Experience with Insurance renewals and commercial insurance
including a strong understanding of professional liability policies
and the ability to work with external insurance providers and
underwriters.
- Experience negotiating contracts/agreements, international
experience is a plus.
- Experience leading and directing a team of professionals to
achieve department and firm goals.
- Intermediate user of Outlook, Word, and Excel preferred.
- Highly experienced in independently performing complex legal
work and providing meaningful supervision and oversight of external
specialized counsel's work.
- Superb customer support skills, ensuring positive internal and
external client relations when drafting and negotiating
agreements.
- Efficiently handles a diverse range of tasks, assignments, and
priorities in a fast-paced environment to meet deadlines, while
maintaining a high level of discretion with confidential
information.
- Exhibits good decision-making skills in resolving conflict or
differences that arise in negotiating new or existing
agreements.
- Consistently fosters a culture of collaboration by actively
engaging with the team sharing knowledge, thereby enhancing the
overall effectiveness, creativity, and success of the team.What can
you expect from us?
- A creative work environment and colleagues who are
collaborative, creative, and challenging.
- Opportunity to grow professionally.
- Check our to learn about life at Olson Kundig.In addition to a
dynamic and creative culture, Olson Kundig provides a generous
benefits package that includes 16 days of paid time off, paid
holidays, health plan, 401k match, bonuses, profit-sharing plans
for qualified positions, a monthly travel subsidy for public
transportation, and more.As a firm, we are committed to pay
practices that are fair, competitive, and reflect internal pay
equity. At the time of posting this job, the hiring range for this
position in Seattle is between $170,000 and $195,000 annually.
Final salary decisions are made based upon the extent and
relatedness of the candidate's education and experience and
considering internal equity and external market factors.All
applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States
without sponsorship and must already possess long-term work
authorization.
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Keywords: Olson Kundig, Seattle , Director of Legal Affairs, Legal , Seattle, Washington
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