What Does a Contract Attorney Do?
A contract attorney is a legal professional who reviews, drafts, negotiates, and enforces contracts to ensure compliance with applicable laws and protect the interests of the organization. In the construction industry, contract attorneys work closely with project managers, executives, and external stakeholders to support the legal aspects of construction agreements, from subcontractor arrangements to large-scale development deals.
They play a key role in identifying legal risks, resolving contract disputes, and ensuring all agreements comply with building codes, zoning laws, insurance requirements, and regulatory frameworks. Whether in-house or external, contract attorneys help ensure that construction projects proceed without costly legal issues.
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Contract Attorney Core Responsibilities
- Draft, review, and negotiate construction contracts, subcontracts, and service agreements
- Analyze contract language to ensure legal clarity, accuracy, and risk mitigation
- Provide legal advice on project delivery methods, payment terms, insurance, and bonding
- Support project teams with contract interpretation and compliance
- Resolve or support claims, disputes, and litigation as needed
- Ensure contracts comply with federal, state, and local construction laws
- Work with external counsel on high-value or complex agreements
- Maintain records of contract versions, amendments, and approvals
- Review NDAs, vendor agreements, and internal policy documents
Required Skills and Qualifications
Hard skills
- Expertise in contract law, especially as it pertains to construction and real estate
- Legal research and writing proficiency
- Ability to draft complex agreements with risk-limiting language
- Familiarity with lien laws, indemnity clauses, and dispute resolution provisions
- Knowledge of regulatory requirements, including OSHA, state licensing, and building codes
Soft skills
- Strong negotiation and communication skills
- High attention to legal detail and document accuracy
- Professional discretion and sound judgment
- Ability to collaborate across legal and non-legal teams
- Strong time management in high-stakes environments
Education
- Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school
- Active license to practice law in relevant state(s)
Preferred Qualifications
- 3–7 years of experience in construction, corporate, or commercial contract law
- Previous in-house counsel experience with a construction or engineering firm
- Familiarity with AIA contracts and government procurement regulations
- Experience handling contract claims, arbitration, or construction litigation
National Average Salary
Contract attorney salaries vary by experience, industry, organization size, and geography. Click below to explore salaries by local market.
The average national salary for a Contract Attorney is:
$103,824
Sample Job Description Templates for Contract Attorneys
Construction Contract Attorney
Position Overview
The construction contract attorney provides legal oversight for all contractual matters related to construction projects. This includes drafting and negotiating agreements, advising on project risk, and ensuring compliance with state and federal construction laws. The role is central to supporting project managers, executives, and procurement teams throughout the project lifecycle.
Responsibilities
- Draft, review, and negotiate construction contracts, subcontracts, and consultant agreements
- Advise project teams on legal risk, contract interpretation, and regulatory compliance
- Resolve disputes related to delays, scope changes, or non-performance
- Ensure contracts align with industry standards, including AIA documentation
- Collaborate with outside counsel for claims, arbitration, or litigation support
- Monitor lien laws, bonding requirements, and insurance provisions
- Maintain and update internal contract templates and legal policies
Requirements
Hard skills
- In-depth knowledge of construction law and project delivery methods
- Experience with AIA contracts, indemnity clauses, and risk allocation
- Proficiency in contract drafting and negotiation
- Familiarity with lien rights, safety regulations, and public bidding processes
Soft skills
- Strong communication and cross-functional collaboration
- Legal judgment and the ability to advise on risk
- Meticulous attention to detail
- Ability to work independently on high-volume contract workloads
Education
- Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school
- Active license to practice law in relevant jurisdiction(s)
Certifications
- None required
Preferred Qualifications
- 5+ years of legal experience with construction or real estate development clients
- Background supporting commercial, residential, or infrastructure projects
Real Estate Contract Attorney
Position Overview
The real estate contract attorney is responsible for negotiating and reviewing contracts tied to property transactions, development projects, and lease agreements. This role ensures legal and regulatory compliance while mitigating risks for buyers, sellers, developers, and landlords.
Responsibilities
- Draft and review purchase agreements, leases, and real estate development contracts
- Advise on zoning, land use, title, and permitting issues
- Conduct legal due diligence for acquisitions or sales
- Coordinate with lenders, brokers, and title companies
- Support closings, document preparation, and escrow matters
- Resolve disputes over contract terms, obligations, or performance
- Ensure compliance with state and municipal real estate laws
Requirements
Hard skills
- Expertise in real estate law and contract drafting
- Experience with commercial or residential lease agreements
- Knowledge of title, escrow, and financing documentation
- Understanding of zoning and land use regulations
Soft skills
- Clear communication and negotiation abilities
- Strong organizational and analytical skills
- Discretion and confidentiality in legal and financial matters
- Responsiveness to tight timelines and client needs
Education
- Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited institution
- Active bar license in relevant state(s)
Certifications
- None required
Preferred Qualifications
- 3–7 years of experience in real estate law or commercial leasing
- Background working with developers, REITs, or investment firms
Commercial Contracts Attorney
Position Overview
The commercial contracts attorney supports business operations by preparing, negotiating, and managing contracts across departments including procurement, finance, and operations. This role ensures legal soundness, operational alignment, and minimal risk exposure in all commercial agreements.
Responsibilities
- Draft and negotiate vendor, supply, service, and partnership contracts
- Review terms and conditions for legal risk and compliance
- Maintain contract templates and ensure consistency with company policy
- Collaborate with internal stakeholders on deal terms and obligations
- Assist in resolving contract disputes or breaches
- Monitor contract performance metrics and renewal schedules
- Provide legal support during audits or regulatory reviews
Requirements
Hard skills
- Knowledge of commercial and contract law
- Experience reviewing service-level agreements (SLAs), NDAs, and MSAs
- Familiarity with contract lifecycle management systems
- Strong legal writing and document review ability
Soft skills
- Ability to balance legal compliance with business objectives
- Collaborative mindset and strong internal client service
- Detail-oriented and analytical under deadline pressure
- Strong interpersonal and negotiation skills
Education
- Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school
- Licensed to practice in relevant jurisdiction(s)
Certifications
- None required
Preferred Qualifications
- 3–6 years of experience in corporate or in-house legal departments
- Background negotiating SaaS, procurement, or global supply agreements
Government Contract Attorney
Position Overview
The government contract attorney advises on federal, state, and municipal procurement laws, focusing on the legal structure of public contracts and compliance with government regulations. This includes supporting RFP reviews, managing risk in bid proposals, and navigating FAR/DFARS frameworks.
Responsibilities
- Draft and review contracts for government construction, supply, or service projects
- Advise on compliance with FAR, DFARS, and agency-specific regulations
- Support bid protests, claims, and contract modifications
- Monitor government contract performance and reporting requirements
- Provide guidance on ethics rules, subcontracting, and flow-down clauses
- Liaise with compliance teams on audits, certifications, and disclosures
- Mitigate legal risk in proposal submissions and public contracting
Requirements
Hard skills
- In-depth knowledge of government procurement regulations
- Familiarity with FAR, DFARS, and public contracting best practices
- Ability to review solicitations, bid packages, and flow-down requirements
- Legal expertise in protests, claims, and government contract disputes
Soft skills
- Clear legal communication in high-stakes environments
- Ability to manage multiple deadlines and regulatory frameworks
- Strategic thinking and legal risk forecasting
- Collaboration with procurement and compliance teams
Education
- Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school
- Licensed attorney in appropriate jurisdiction
Certifications
- None required
Preferred Qualifications
- 5+ years of experience in government contracting law
- Background supporting contractors or subcontractors in public infrastructure or defense sectors