Deputy General Counsel

We Are:

Fermilab is Americas premier laboratory for particle physics and accelerator research, funded by the U.S. Department of Energy. We support discovery science experiments in Illinois and at locations around the world, including deep underground mines in South Dakota and Canada, mountaintops in Arizona and Chile, and the South Pole.

We are strategic risk takers, innovators, and collaborators. We are engineers, scientists, technicians, administrative professionals. We are 1,800 employees advancing knowledge for the benefit of humankind. Fermilab has been at the forefront of particle physics for more than 40 years. We build world-leading accelerators and detectors to conduct some of the most advanced particle physics experiments possible. We collect and analyze the data from those experiments with some of the most powerful computers in the world. We conduct this research on a 6,800-acre prairie, 35 miles outside Chicago, a treasure that has been designated a National Environmental Research Park.

The Office of General Counsel is seeking an experienced attorney for the role of Deputy General Counsel who will be responsible for a variety of complex legal projects and the provision of legal advice and counsel on various aspects of the Laboratorys legal obligations, including ensuring compliance with the requirement of the Department of Energy (DOE) Prime Contract and all other laws and regulations applicable to Laboratory operations. This role will include responsibilities for interfacing with the DOE Office of General Counsel, providing legal advice and counsel as a primary contact for the Laboratory on a variety of legal issues and matters including but not limited to lab operations, construction, ES&H, employment/labor, federal acquisition, government contracts, and/or intellectual property.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide primary, proactive legal counsel to the Laboratory senior management on high-visibility, high profile projects of significant importance to the Laboratory mission.
• Advise and counsel key Fermilab personnel on compliance matters related to Federal Acquisition Regulations and requirements under FRAs Prime Contract with the U.S. Department of Energy.
• Develop and deliver training materials and/or programs on relevant legal topics to minimize FRAs risk exposure and costs and to support a culture of compliance.
• Perform the duties and assumes the responsibilities of General Counsel, including the direction of the daily operation of the Legal Office in the absence of the General Counsel.
• Prepare organizing agreements/memoranda of understanding and represents Laboratorys interest in execution and performance of such agreements or memoranda.
• Draft and negotiate contracts and subcontracts for construction, engineering, design, and other Laboratory operations or construction activities.
• Develop and maintain standard form terms and conditions for Laboratory Operations methodologies.
• Support the Laboratory on claims and changes to mitigate impact to Laboratory budget and schedule and resolve matters efficiently and effectively.
• Represent the Laboratory with DOE, other government agencies or other parties, and suppliers or vendors as assigned by General Counsel.
• Manage and resolve disputes related to assigned activities and effectively oversee and manage outside counsel.
• Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor.
• Abide by and is responsible for performing all duties in accordance with all environmental, health and safety regulations and practices pertinent to this position.
• Contribute effectively within a diverse workforce, and uphold Fermilabs commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Minimum Required Education and Experience:

Juris Doctorate and minimum of 10-years related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Licensed to practice law in the State of Illinois within 1-year of employment.

Applicable Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:

• Demonstrated ability to provide clear advice under complex circumstances, gain trust, and build consensus among various stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to identify and articulate legal and business risks and support balanced business decision making.
• Excellent professional ethics, good judgment, and the ability to take action and make decisions required.
• Demonstrated ability to manage professional employees; legal office setting preferred.
• Excellent skills in drafting, analyzing, and communicating contractual terms to internal and external clients together with a high ability to influence and negotiate.
• Demonstrated ability to evaluate and support the effective management of subcontractor claims.
• Demonstrated expertise in federal government contracting and deep understanding of the FAR, DEAR, and other related regulations and requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to function effectively in a matrix organization, and to work within inter- departmental teams and groups.
• Ability to exercise leadership, self-initiative, independence, and sound judgment.
• Ability to work independently and pro-actively, with minimal guidance and supervision.
• Outstanding written and verbal skills with the ability to effectively communicate with all levels of internal and external stakeholders, including regulatory agencies.
• Ability to use standard office software for word processing, spreadsheets, and e-mail, and ability to work in databases or online project management tools after appropriate training.

Fermilab is an Equal Opportunity Employer and believes a diverse and inclusive environment based on mutual respect is essential to our mission. Fermilab is committed to recruiting and developing the most hardworking people and does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, religion, age, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, military/veteran status, country of birth, geography/postal code, disability, marital status, parental or gestational status, or other non-merit factor.