Hazen and Sawyer seeks Legal Counsel for our Denver office. This attorney will partner with project teams and leadership to support commercial contracting, technology transactions, risk management, and other legal needs. The role is ideal for an experienced attorney who values close collaboration, independent judgment, and contributing to infrastructure projects that protect public health and the environment.
Why Hazen and Sawyer:
- Founded in 1951 by the son of Allen Hazen (developer of the Hazen-Williams equation), we are an employee-owned company with a singular focus on "all things water."
- Our work includes planning, design, and oversight of construction of environmental infrastructure – for water, wastewater, and stormwater management.
- We foster a work environment low on bureaucracy and high in creativity.
- We recruit talented professionals, provide them with challenging, interesting, and creative assignments, and furnish them with the tools they need to succeed.
- We currently have over 2,400 employees in 90+ offices throughout the United States, Latin America, Canada, and the UK.
- A flexible hybrid work schedule supports today's busy professionals.
Key Responsibilities:
- Exercise independent legal judgment in advising project teams and leadership, including assessing risk and delivering clear, practical recommendations with minimal oversight.
- Draft, review, and negotiate commercial contracts, including professional services agreements, subconsultant agreements, confidentiality agreements, teaming agreements, RFx documents, software agreements, and technology-related agreements and documents.
- Advise on technology matters, including software licensing, AI/machine learning tools, data use, and intellectual property issues.
- Partner with business stakeholders to align contracts with company strategy while effectively managing legal risk.
- Provide legal guidance on compliance issues and interpret contract provisions to support adherence to applicable laws and regulations.
- Conduct legal research on issues related to commercial contracts, technology, intellectual property, engineering, and other business areas.
- Support compliance with local, state, and federal requirements, including emerging technology and AI-related requirements.
- Monitor industry trends in commercial contracting, technology, and the engineering sector.
- Assist with other general legal matters, as needed.
Required Qualifications:
- 6-9 years of experience drafting, reviewing, and negotiating commercial agreements.
- Experience with technology transactions, including software licensing, SaaS, and vendor agreements.
- Strong understanding of contract law, commercial transactions, and risk allocation.
- Knowledge of intellectual property principles as applied to commercial agreements.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain legal concepts to business and technical stakeholders.
- Demonstrated ability to exercise independent judgment, manage competing priorities, and provide practical, business-oriented recommendations.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience with artificial intelligence tools, platforms, or governance frameworks.
- Experience supporting intellectual property matters, including trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, or patent support.
- Experience in the engineering, architecture, construction, infrastructure, or professional services sectors.
- Familiarity with international contracts or cross-border legal issues.
Educational and Licensure:
- Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school.
- Licensed and in good standing in at least one U.S. jurisdiction, with the ability to provide in-house counsel services in Colorado
What We Offer:
- Comprehensive health benefits (medical, dental, vision, and prescription plans).
- Pre-tax flexible spending plans for medical, dependent care, and transportation.
- Short and long-term disability, and employer paid life insurance.
- Paid holidays, floating holidays, and paid time off (PTO).
- Employer-contributed 401(k) plan and additional financial planning support.
- Professional growth opportunities, including tuition reimbursement, in-house training, and incentives for professional registration and professional organization memberships.
- Starting pay range for this position depends on skills, experience, education and geographical location.
#li-hybrid
Skills Required
- 6-9 years of experience drafting, reviewing, and negotiating commercial agreements
- Experience with technology transactions, including software licensing, SaaS, and vendor agreements
- Strong understanding of contract law, commercial transactions, and risk allocation
- Knowledge of intellectual property principles applied to commercial agreements
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to explain legal concepts to business and technical stakeholders
- Ability to exercise independent judgment, manage competing priorities, and provide practical business-oriented recommendations
- Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school
- Licensed and in good standing in at least one U.S. jurisdiction
- Ability to provide in-house counsel services in Colorado
- Experience with artificial intelligence tools, platforms, or governance frameworks
- Experience supporting intellectual property matters, including trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, or patent support
- Experience in engineering, architecture, construction, infrastructure, or professional services sectors
- Familiarity with international contracts or cross-border legal issues
What We Do
As Hazen marks 75 years, we celebrate a legacy of absolute commitment to our clients while delivering the best technical work available anywhere. By fostering a culture rich with collaboration, opportunity, and support, we've retained a small-firm feel even as we've expanded to be the water industry's largest firm solely devoted to all things water. Our focus on water prepares us to handle the exceptional challenges facing the industry: adapting to new regulations and changes in supply or demand; targeting stretched budgets for optimal ROI; developing resilience to drought, floods, severe storms, and wildfires; charting a course into the digital age; and much, much more. Our focus on water also makes us home to many of the world’s top water experts and rising talents, each seeking a challenging and rewarding career while making an important contribution to the communities in which we work. If you have a water challenge, Hazen and Sawyer has your solution. Visit our website to view a full list of all Hazen office locations across the country and around the world.
