Paralegal / Risk Manager

Position Summary

Join the dynamic team at HFW Companies as a Paralegal / Risk Manager, where you will play an important role in supporting our growing network of architecture, engineering, and professional services firms. This position will oversee corporate registration and licensure management, contract administration, risk management, insurance compliance, and corporate legal documentation across multiple business units. Responsibilities include maintaining corporate registrations and licenses, reviewing and negotiating contracts, managing insurance programs, maintaining corporate records, supporting legal compliance, and coordinating with outside counsel.

The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of contract administration, risk management, corporate governance, and corporate registration and licensure requirements, along with excellent organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills. This individual will collaborate with attorneys, executives, and operations leaders to strengthen processes, manage competing priorities, and support HFW's continued growth.

Company Overview

Join HFW, a national network of leading architecture and engineering (AE) companies founded in 2020 by industry veterans Michael Hein, Matthew Westphal, and Daniel Forguson. Built on a reimagined operations platform and shared resources, HFW brings together a diverse network of expertise to deliver collaborative, innovative solutions for clients nationwide, including some of the industry's most complex infrastructure design challenges.

At HFW, our core purpose is to accelerate growth through collaboration, synergy, and continuous improvement. We believe in building a strong, unified network that values each firm's people, culture, and unique strengths while creating opportunities to learn, grow, and achieve more together. Our approach is genuine, visionary, bold, and agile, with a shared commitment to shaping the future of the AE industry.

Join HFW and become part of a growing network where collaboration drives opportunity, people make the difference, and we're building what's next together!

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Essential Responsibilities:

• Prepare, review, revise, and assist with the negotiation of contracts, including professional services agreements, subconsultant agreements, NDAs, and procurement contracts.
• Oversee and manage corporate registrations, business licenses, and professional licensure requirements across HFW and its affiliated companies, ensuring renewals, filings, and documentation are completed accurately and on time.
• Oversee and support HFW's corporate insurance programs, including property and casualty, cyber, and professional liability coverage.
• Review project procurement documents and assist with identifying contractual risks and legal considerations.
• Support risk management initiatives, insurance compliance, claims management, and related documentation.
• Maintain corporate records, legal documents, business licenses, and registrations to ensure accuracy and compliance.
• Assist with debt collection and enforcement activities, including demands, claims, notices, and related legal documentation.
• Coordinate with outside counsel on legal matters, including pleadings, discovery, agreements, releases, and litigation support.
• Support the development and maintenance of contract templates, document management systems, and contract administration processes.
• Develop and assist with training materials and presentations related to contract law, risk management, and AEC industry legal matters.
• Provide guidance, coaching, and mentorship to paralegals, legal assistants, or contract administration team members.
• Collaborate with executives, operations leaders, attorneys, and affiliated firms to improve workflows, manage deadlines, and support business needs.

Qualifications:

• 5–8+ years of paralegal experience, preferably within the architecture, engineering, construction (AEC), or professional services industry.
• 2+ years of experience leading, mentoring, or coaching paralegals, legal assistants, or contract administration professionals.
• Strong knowledge of contract administration, legal compliance, corporate governance, and risk management.
• Experience reviewing and managing professional services agreements, subconsultant agreements, NDAs, procurement contracts, and insurance-related legal documents.
• Familiarity with corporate insurance programs, claims management, and risk mitigation practices.
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities, deadlines, and high-volume workloads.
• Strong leadership, communication, coaching, and problem-solving skills.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office and experience with contract management or document management systems.
• Exceptional attention to detail and the ability to work collaboratively with attorneys, executives, operations leaders, and technical professionals.
• Ability to identify opportunities for process improvements and support multiple business units in a fast-paced environment.

Preferred Education & Certifications

• Bachelor's degree and/or Paralegal Certificate from an accredited program.
• Certified Paralegal (CP) designation or equivalent certification preferred.

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