General Counsel - Design & Construction

The General Counsel serves as Cuningham’s chief legal advisor, providing strategic and practical legal guidance that supports the firm’s business operations, growth initiatives, and enterprise risk management across a national, multi-state professional services organization. This role partners closely with executive leadership and the Board of Directors to navigate complex legal, regulatory, and governance matters while enabling sound, informed business decisions aligned with Cuningham’s objectives and values.

This is a hybrid position. Candidates must be located within reasonable proximity to one of Cuningham’s offices and able to work in the office at least two days per week.

What you will be doing:

• Assess the firm’s risk and provide continual risk management advice
• Train others in the firm in risk management and contracting strategies
• Report regularly to the Board of Directors and serve as a trusted advisor
• Act as corporate secretary; participate in all board meetings and manage meeting minutes
• Participate in and advise board committees as appropriate
• Research registration and licensure requirements associated with new geographic or typological markets
• Act as legal counsel representing the firm
• Engage with and manage external legal counsel as needed
• Manage corporate insurance program
• Support corporate business registration and licensure processes
• Advise project teams on construction administration, payment, and other risk issues
• Facilitate shareholder voting
• Manage corporate stock buy/sell program
• Provide background information on new clients when advisable
• Review and edit all proposals, contracts, and other legal documents
• Keep contract templates up to date with latest best practices and in response to project issues
• Support facilities management and review leases and subleases
• Support accounting department with tax, audit, and valuation procedures
• Support HR with compliance and claims matters
• Support recruiting processes
• Engage with the industry and markets at large as a subject matter expert.
• Influence and lead internal programs to continually improve design best practices and outcomes.
• Advise on entry into international markets, including supporting entity formation, business structuring, and the negotiation and execution of contracts

What we look for:

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an ABA‑accredited law school and admission to at least one U.S. state bar, active and in good standing
• 8–12+ years of legal experience with a strong foundation in construction law and general corporate / business law
• Demonstrated experience supporting architects and professional services firms, preferably within AEC, construction, or real estate industries
• Experience advising small to mid‑sized businesses on ownership structures, shareholder matters, and ownership transition / buy‑sell arrangements
• Proven ability to advise and support boards of directors and executive leadership
• Familiarity with Minnesota business law and multi‑state business operations
• Experience managing outside legal counsel and serving as a strategic advisor to executive leadership
• Strong communications skills with the ability to educate non‑legal stakeholders on contracts, risk, and compliance

$145,000 - $235,000 a year

Compensation provided is based on our national range which varies by work location and may also depend on accreditation, experience and responsibilities. Our talent management team can share more about the specific salary range for your location during the hiring process.

Compensation range updated 1/9/2026.

Benefits: Cuningham offers a variety of benefits to employees including health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, an employee wellness program, life and disability insurance, 401k retirement savings plan, paid holidays, and paid time off.

Why Cuningham?

Together, we create enduring experiences for a healthy world.

Whether we are celebrating at a Spirit hour, nurturing an equitable and just work environment, or delivering regenerative design solutions to restore natural and human systems, each exchange is an opportunity to create a better future and support the health of our talent and communities. Our values are simple and impact every aspect of our practice:

Celebrate curiosity.

Design the future.

Restore the earth.

Take care of each other.

Have fun.

What can we create together?

Cuningham is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and values the strength diversity brings to the workplace when combined with equity and justice. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, age, genetic information, national origin, disability, military, or veteran status.