Director of Legal Affairs

Olson Kundig Overview

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.

Director of Legal Affairs Position Description:

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 culture page 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.

COVID-19 Considerations:

Full COVID-19 vaccination required or an approved medical or religious exemption.

Legal Requirements:

All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship and must already possess long-term work authorization.

Learn more here