General Counsel

🚨 Allison-Smith Company is seeking its first-ever General Counsel—a rare opportunity to step into a highly visible, business-facing leadership role within a $400M, employee-owned organization. This leader will serve as a key advisor to the President and executive team, building the company’s internal legal capability and supporting continued growth across a diversified platform.

NOTE - Atlanta-based role — no relocation assistance offered

LOCATION - The General Counsel is based on site at Allison-Smith’s corporate headquarters in Smyrna, Georgia

COMPANY OVERVIEW - Allison-Smith Company has grown into one of the largest independent electrical contracting and engineering firms in the United States. The company generates approximately $400M in annual revenue and employs roughly 1,500 people across its operations.

While rooted in electrical contracting, Allison-Smith has evolved into a diversified platform with three core business lines:

• Electrical contracting (core business, top tier nationally)
• Modular construction (rapidly growing)
• Software development focused on the construction industry

The company is 100% employee-owned, fostering a strong ownership mentality and long-term commitment among its workforce. With an average tenure of approximately 25 years, Allison-Smith operates with a deeply ingrained culture of accountability, loyalty, and shared success, supported by a diverse workforce that includes both non-union and union employees across its operations.

Allison-Smith’s mission is simple and powerful: “We build problem solvers.” This philosophy drives a culture that is highly solutions-oriented, fast-moving, and grounded in respect for people at every level. The organization is intentionally flat, informal, and free of unnecessary bureaucracy—where leaders are expected to act decisively, collaborate openly, and get things done.

As the company continues to experience rapid growth—particularly in infrastructure supporting AI and advanced technologies, it is entering a new phase of complexity that requires dedicated, embedded legal leadership.

POSITION IMPACT - The General Counsel will serve as the first in-house legal leader for Allison-Smith, establishing internal legal capability and serving as a trusted advisor to the President and executive team.

This role will be instrumental in:

• Embedding legal expertise directly into business operations
• Accelerating contract negotiations and decision-making
• Improving risk management while maintaining commercial agility
• Reducing reliance on outside counsel

FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES - Success in this role is defined by becoming the organization’s go-to legal partner—someone who proactively solves problems, enables better business decisions, and integrates seamlessly into the company’s fast-paced, execution-driven environment.

The General Counsel will operate in a highly hands-on capacity, owning all legal matters across the organization.

Key responsibilities include:

• Lead all legal matters as a solo General Counsel
• Draft, review, and negotiate construction contracts, subcontracts, and supplier agreements
• Provide practical risk assessment and mitigation strategies
• Oversee and manage outside counsel across multiple legal areas, including construction contracts and claims, employment and labor matters, immigration, litigation and dispute resolution, insurance and risk management, and corporate and regulatory compliance—ensuring practical, business-aligned legal support
• Partner with HR on employment-related matters, including employee relations, EEOC claims, workers’ compensation, union-related issues, internal investigations, immigration matters (including H-1B visa support), and compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws.
• Manage disputes, demand letters, and litigation strategy
• Advise on corporate governance and multi-state compliance
• Support insurance strategy, liability considerations, and risk transfer mechanisms
• Build foundational legal processes, systems, and frameworks
• Act as a proactive problem solver within the business

This role requires a leader who is comfortable operating without infrastructure, someone who can both think strategically and execute tactically.

PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS - The ideal candidate will bring 10+ years of legal experience with strong exposure to construction law and employment law.

Key qualifications include:

• Deep understanding of construction industry contracts and risk structures (critical requirement)
• Proven ability to negotiate complex commercial agreement
• Strong knowledge of employment law, OSHA considerations, and workforce-related issues
• Experience managing litigation and outside counsel
• Ability to operate independently in a lean environment
• Track record of advising executive leadership in a business-facing capacity
• Experience supporting multi-state operations
• Familiarity with insurance, bonding, and risk management frameworks

LEADERSHIP CHARACTERISTICS - We are seeking a leader who aligns closely with Allison-Smith’s culture and values.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate:

• Strong problem-solving mindset; focused on execution and outcomes
• Low ego, high confidence; easy to work with and approachable
• Ability to move work forward without creating unnecessary complexity
• Emotional stability and composure in negotiations
• Intellectual curiosity with a desire to understand the business
• Respect for all employees, regardless of role or level
• Hands-on, roll-up-your-sleeves leadership style

This individual must be a business partner first—someone who balances legal risk with practical decision-making and contributes meaningfully to the company’s success.

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS - Juris Doctor (J.D.) and active bar membership required; Georgia admission preferred or willingness to obtain

TRAVEL - Approximately 10–20% to project sites and regional operations

COMPENSATION - Allison-Smith offers a competitive compensation package, including a base salary commensurate with experience and a bonus program aligned to company performance.