Counsel III - Construction, Claims, & Litigation

About DCAMM 

The Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance manages and stewards the Commonwealth’s real estate assets, public buildings, and capital projects. DCAMM oversees more than $2 billion in capital programs and projects, manages 5.5 million square feet of state buildings, and works with agencies across Massachusetts to deliver responsible, sustainable, and forward-looking facilities for the public. 

Our work affects communities across the Commonwealth. We help state agencies plan, build, renovate, lease, acquire, and manage the spaces they need to serve Massachusetts residents. We support public services, economic development, sustainability, accessibility, and the responsible use of public funds and public assets. 

About the Role 

DCAMM is seeking a practical, collaborative, and intellectually curious attorney to join its Office of the General Counsel as Senior Associate General Counsel for Construction, Claims & Litigation. 

This role is an opportunity to work on legal issues arising from public construction projects across the Commonwealth. The attorney will work with colleagues in the General Counsel’s Office to advise DCAMM project teams and leadership on construction contracts, procurement, project delivery, claims, disputes, risk management, litigation strategy, administrative proceedings, settlements, and related legal issues. 

The candidate does not need to have done every part of this job before, as many tasks are specific to DCAMM as a public employer.  Experience with construction law, litigation, public procurement, government contracting, real estate development, infrastructure, insurance/risk, administrative law, or public-sector counseling would all be valuable. We welcome all candidates with strong legal judgment, litigation experience or interest, writing ability, curiosity, and those excited to learn complex technical and legal issues. 

This is a good role for a lawyer who enjoys solving practical problems, working with multidisciplinary teams, and helping public projects move forward responsibly. 

What You’ll Do 

In this role, you will: 

• Advise DCAMM leadership, project managers, and program teams on legal issues arising from public construction and capital projects. 

• Provide legal guidance on construction contracts, project delivery methods, procurement requirements, change orders, delays, defaults, payment disputes, claims, closeout issues, and contract interpretation. 

• Work with DCAMM staff and outside counsel on litigation, arbitration, mediation, administrative proceedings, and other dispute-resolution matters. 

• Help evaluate claims and disputes involving contractors, designers, consultants, vendors, agencies, and other project participants. 

• Draft, review, and negotiate settlement agreements, contract amendments, correspondence, legal memoranda, briefing materials, and other documents. 

• Support early identification and resolution of legal risks before they become formal disputes. 

• Conduct legal research and provide practical advice on statutes, regulations, contract provisions, public construction requirements, procurement rules, and agency policies. 

• Partner with project teams, procurement staff, finance staff, facilities professionals, outside counsel, other agencies, and public stakeholders. 

• Respond to inquiries from state agencies, municipal officials, elected officials, and other stakeholders as needed. 

• Support the General Counsel, Deputy General Counsels, and other members of the Office of the General Counsel on additional legal, policy, and strategic matters. 

Who We’re Looking For 

We are looking for a lawyer who: 

• Has strong legal judgment and sound professional instincts. 

• Can analyze complex facts, contracts, and legal issues and translate them into practical advice. 

• Writes clearly and persuasively. 

• Communicates effectively with lawyers, non-lawyers, technical experts, and decision-makers. 

• Enjoys learning new areas of law, construction practice, and agency operations. 

• Is comfortable working as part of a team and learning from colleagues with different areas of expertise. 

• Can manage multiple matters, deadlines, and competing priorities. 

• Understands that public-sector legal work requires balancing legal risk, operational needs, public accountability, cost, fairness, and mission. 

• Exercises good judgment about when to resolve disputes informally, when to escalate, and when to litigate. 

• Values public service and wants to contribute to projects that affect people and communities across Massachusetts. 

Preferred Experience 

We encourage candidates to apply even if they do not meet every preferred qualification. Some qualified candidates may self-select out of opportunities if they do not meet 100% of the listed qualifications. If you believe you have the skills, judgment, interest, and capacity to succeed in this role, we encourage you to apply. 

Experience in one or more of the following areas would be valuable, but is not required: 

• Construction law. 

• Litigation, arbitration, mediation, or administrative proceedings. 

• Public construction or public procurement. 

• Government contracts or public-sector legal work. 

• Real estate development, infrastructure, facilities, or capital projects. 

• Contract drafting, review, negotiation, interpretation, or dispute resolution. 

• Claims analysis, risk management, insurance, indemnity, or surety issues. 

• Administrative law, regulatory law, or government enforcement. 

• Advising public agencies, boards, commissions, institutional clients, or senior leaders. 

• Working with technical experts, project managers, engineers, architects, consultants, contractors, or outside counsel. 

Candidates do not need experience in every area listed. We encourage applications from attorneys who bring strong judgment, curiosity, writing ability, litigation or dispute-resolution experience, and a demonstrated capacity to learn. 

Why Join DCAMM? 

This role offers the opportunity to: 

• Work on meaningful public projects with real-world impact. 

• Build expertise in public construction, capital project delivery, claims, and litigation.

• Help resolve disputes involving important public buildings and facilities.

• Advise on complex matters that combine law, contracts, construction, public finance, policy, and operations.

• Collaborate with experienced lawyers, project managers, procurement professionals, engineers, architects, and outside counsel.

• Work on a wide variety of matters rather than a narrow litigation docket.

• Serve as a trusted advisor to an agency with a broad and important public mission.

• Contribute to projects that support state agencies and communities across Massachusetts.

First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days. 
MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS: Applicants must have a Juris Doctor (JD) degree, admission to the Massachusetts Bar Association, and at least (A) six years of full-time, or equivalent part time, professional experience in the practice of law in a specialized area that is relevant to the assigned agency.  Based on assignment and supervisory responsibilities, three years in a supervisory capacity may be required. 

Incumbents may be required to have a current and valid Motor Vehicle Drivers License at a Class level specific to assignment.

Comprehensive Benefits

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards!

An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer.  Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law.  Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements.  We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.