Counsel / Senior Counsel - Commercial & Regulatory

Back to Careers

Counsel / Senior Counsel - Commercial & Regulatory

Sylvan is a premier AI-enabled construction services platform powering North American industries through a wide range of multi-trade capabilities. With expertise spanning data centers, energy, automotive, higher education, government, retail, commercial and industrial sectors, Sylvan provides advanced services from planning to project execution and ongoing service maintenance. By combining intelligent technology, expertise, and a commitment to safety and quality, Sylvan is dedicated to driving success for its clients and partners.

We are seeking an experienced Commercial & Regulatory Attorney to play a pivotal role as the second attorney in our newly created in-house legal team. Reporting to the General Counsel, this attorney will focus primarily on two critical areas of responsibility across the company and its divisions, including future businesses acquired through the company's programmatic M&A. These responsibilities are core to our strategic growth objectives: (1) serving as the company's primary enterprise-wide legal resource to support the business with the negotiation, drafting, and contract lifecycle management of our construction project agreements and other commercial contracts, and (2) advising on, coordinating, and proactively enhancing our industrial construction regulatory compliance program across North America, in partnership with operational owners and outside counsel. This is a high-visibility, exciting role in a lean legal department of a high growth business. The successful candidate will work directly at all levels within the organization, including executives, project managers, estimators, pre-construction teams, and operations leaders.

Sylvan operates a decentralized business model across multiple jurisdictions and operating entities, and this role therefore requires regular engagement with field and business unit personnel, including periodic travel to project sites, subsidiary offices, and partner locations in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Commercial & Construction Contracts

• Draft, review, and negotiate a high volume of critical construction and commercial agreements, including prime contracts, subcontracts, master service agreements, purchase orders, design-build, equipment leases, professional services agreements, and vendor and supplier contracts.

• Advise on key contract risk areas, including indemnification, insurance, warranties, limitations of liability, liquidated damages, consequential damages, payment and retainage terms, change orders, scheduling and delay provisions, force majeure, termination rights, dispute resolution, and other key terms.

• Proactively lead contract lifecycle management, including intake, triage, risk escalation, and approval workflows; contribute to the development and continuous improvement of templates and negotiation playbooks; provide leadership to evaluate and implement fit-for-purpose AI and other technology tools.

• Counsel business teams on bid and proposal terms, flow-down obligations from owners and general contractors, and contract close-out practices.

• Assist with claims avoidance and pre-litigation dispute management, including payment disputes, mechanics' liens and bond claim strategy, and coordination with outside counsel.

• Legal Department & Enterprise Support

• Partner with the General Counsel on various corporate and legal operations initiatives as the legal shared service function continues to grow.

• Support the General Counsel on acquisitions and other strategic transactions, including diligence, transaction documentation, closing coordination, and post-closing legal integration, as needs and experience permit.

• Manage and coordinate outside counsel to support the core responsibilities of the role as needed, with attention to expense management, responsiveness and work product quality.

• Travel periodically to project sites, subsidiary offices, and partner locations to support business teams and build relationships across our decentralized organization.

• Construction Regulatory & Compliance

• Coordinate and advise on federal, state/provincial, and local regulatory requirements affecting industrial construction operations in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, including contractor and trade licensing, permitting, and registration requirements.

• Provide legal counsel on prevailing wage and public works requirements (including Davis-Bacon and state equivalents) and, in coordination with the company's safety, human resources, and operational teams, on OSHA/workplace safety and project-site and company facility environmental regulatory matters.

• Support compliance with lien, bond, and security-of-payment regimes across multiple jurisdictions, including notice deadlines and preservation of rights.

• Monitor legal and regulatory developments affecting the industrial construction industry across North America and translate them into practical guidance, training, and policy updates for business teams.

• Support cross-border commercial matters, including coordination with local counsel in Canada and Mexico on jurisdiction-specific contracting and regulatory questions.

Required Skills & Experience

• Juris Doctor from an accredited law school and active membership in good standing in at least one U.S. state bar; Michigan bar admission (or eligibility for admission, including via reciprocity or in-house counsel registration) required within a reasonable period after hire, as required.
• At least 5 years of relevant legal experience at a law firm, in-house legal department, or a combination of both.
• Substantial experience drafting and negotiating a range of complex commercial agreements and advising corporate clients.
• Experience building or improving contract templates, playbooks, and legal intake and workflow processes, including the use of contract lifecycle management and AI-assisted tools.
• Working knowledge of construction law or regulatory frameworks, or demonstrated ability to develop that knowledge quickly and effectively manage specialized outside counsel.
• Strong client service approach to supporting internal team members.
• Strong drafting, negotiation, and analytical skills, with the judgment to identify material risks and propose practical, business-oriented solutions.
• Ability to manage a high-volume, fast-paced workload with significant autonomy and to prioritize effectively across competing demands.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to explain legal concepts clearly to non-lawyers at all levels of the organization.
• Willingness and ability to travel domestically and internationally (U.S., Canada, and Mexico) as business needs require.
• Preferred Qualifications
• Experience supporting industrial, energy, infrastructure, or multitrade (mechanical, electrical, plumbing) construction businesses.
• Familiarity with cross-border contracting and managing regulatory issues in Canada and/or Mexico.
• Experience with government contracting, public works procurement, or federally funded projects.
• In-house experience in a decentralized, multi-entity, or acquisition-oriented organization integrating multiple operating businesses.

What We Offer

• The opportunity to help build and shape a newly formed, growing in-house legal function with direct access to senior leadership.
• Broad, sophisticated work spanning commercial transactions, construction law, and multi-jurisdictional regulatory practice.
• Potential for incentive units depending on the experience level and background of the candidate.
• Competitive base salary and performance-based bonus, commensurate with experience.
• Comprehensive benefits, including medical, dental, and vision coverage, retirement plan with company contribution, and paid time off.
• A collaborative, high performing, entrepreneurial culture with meaningful exposure to operations across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.

Equal Employment Opportunity

We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Apply Today

Send your resume and brief cover letter to abloom@sylvan-inc.com

Back to Careers