Deputy General Counsel - Construction

The Deputy General Counsel will oversee day‑to‑day legal operations, including contract development and negotiation, claims management, enforcement of payment rights, and dispute resolution. This person will report to the General Counsel and work closely with executive leadership and operational teams to identify and minimize risk, ensure compliance with regulatory requirement and internal processes and procedures, and support strategic business initiatives. The ideal candidate is business‑oriented, solution‑driven, and able to manage a broad range of legal matters in a fast‑paced environment.

Responsibilities:

• Lead and manage complex construction legal matters
• Review, negotiate, and manage a high volume of commercial contracts
• Partner with internal stakeholders to ensure contractual terms align with business and project objectives
• Monitor and manage early claims, including identifying potential risks and recommending strategies for mitigation
• Identify and mitigate contractual risks and ensure compliance with policies and applicable laws
• Identify potential legal risks and work proactively with internal departments to mitigate them
• Support dispute resolution, claims management, and coordination with external counsel if needed
• Advise on employment law, real estate, corporate structure, IP matters, and other general legal topics as they arise
  

Qualifications:

• J.D. degree from an accredited law school
• Active license to practice law in Florida, or ability to qualify as Authorized House Counsel
• Board certification in construction law strongly preferred
• 8+ years of experience, with an emphasis in construction
• Ability to balance legal risk with business objectives
• Excellent negotiation, drafting, and communication skills
  

Salary:

• Dependent upon experience
• Performance Bonus

Benefits/Perks:

• Health, Vision, Dental, Life Insurance, and a 401k Match Program
• Paid Time Off

About GMF Steel Group:

• GMF Steel Group is an Inc 5000 company and one of the fastest growing Steel firms in the Southeastern US.
• GMF Steel Group is headquartered in Lakeland, Florida with offices in Tampa, Panama City, and Concord, NC.
• GMF Steel Group is in Lakeland, Florida and produces over 20,000 tons of Structural Steel annually with the latest BIM fabrication technology.
• GMF Steel Group services the Southeastern US and Gulf Coast with over 300 employees across 4 offices.
• GMF Steel Group core sectors of the Structural Steel market include Amusement Parks, Sports Arenas, Office, Education, Health Care, Hospitality, Retail, and Light and Heavy Industrial projects.
• GMF incorporates the latest technology through Building Information Modeling (BIM) to integrate all facets of Steel Construction and 4-D modeling.
• GMF Steel Group is an AISC Certified Fabricator and Erector.
• GMF Steel Group takes pride in recruiting and developing the best talent through education of the latest technology and best practices.