Sr. Counsel, Environment and Infrastructure

Battelle delivers when others can't. We conduct research and development, manage national laboratories, design and manufacture products and deliver critical services for our clients—whether they are a multi-national corporation, a small start-up or a government agency.

We recognize and appreciate the value and contributions of individuals from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences and welcome all qualified individuals to apply. 

The Senior Counsel will be an integral member of Battelle's in-house legal team, primarily providing support to Battelle's Environment & Infrastructure (E&I) Business Unit on all legal matters. This position will report to Battelle's Assistant General Counsel, Applied Science & Technology (AS&T) and will be responsible for partnering with internal and external business clients and members of the legal team to effectively provide exemplary, pro-active, and timely legal advice. The successful candidate will be committed to building and maintaining trusted internal relationships to facilitate the identification and mitigation of risks while enabling business. Key required skills for this fast-paced environment include strong leadership skills, demonstrated ability to communicate and collaborate effectively, commitment to innovation and continuous process improvement, and ability to independently manage a large and complex workload while having ownership of results. Members of the legal team also possess or develop subject matter expertise and have responsibilities in areas supporting the entire enterprise.

This position will be based at Battelle's world headquarters in Columbus, Ohio, and requires 60% weekly in-office presence. Occasional travel will be required (3-4 trips per year is typical). Battelle follows a 9/80 work schedule.

• Manages and provides advice and counsel to internal clients on a variety of legal matters germane to the E&I Business Unit (e.g., government and commercial contracting, proposal and contracts lifecycle, compliance, disputes, etc.). Arranges for legal resources for areas outside the attorney's competency or responsibility.
• Effectively collaborate with internal stakeholders within the Contracts, Procurement, Business Development, Business Unit and Executive Management, IP & Tech Transfer, and Information Technology and Finance team, among others.
• Supports procurement and subcontracting efforts and negotiates with external entities on a variety of issues, including allocation of risks, IP ownership and licensing, key terms and conditions.
• Be a go-to business partner who is able to provide both practical and timely legal advice that facilities expedient deal-making.
• Assist with development of templates, policies and playbooks; be willing to train others and drive efficiency improvement projects to closure. 
• Bring ideas and solutions to the table, not just problems, when working with internal clients.
• Willingness to work on the smallest and simplest, as well as the most complex, legal matters faced by Battelle. 
• Operate at the highest levels of integrity and ethical behavior; exercise impeccable judgment and discretion. 
• Act as a Mission First cultural leader consistently demonstrating Battelle's values and mission. 

• A Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school. Must be licensed to practice law and in good standing in Ohio, or ability to obtain reciprocity or corporate counsel license in Ohio.
• At least 7 years of experience with contracting and subcontracting in support of U.S. Government programs and/or commercial contracting, at a nationally recognized law firm and/or as a contracting professional or in-house counsel at a government contracting company including: 
• Expert knowledge and experience working with the FAR and related supplements, and other pertinent agency acquisition regulations. 
• Experience with sell-side commercial contracts, including for both services and products.
• Proficient knowledge and experience with reviewing requests for proposals, bid submissions and protests, Organization and Personal Conflicts of Interest compliance, cybersecurity regulations, teaming arrangements, NDAs, SBJV's, data rights, export issues, and performance issues and terminations to minimize liability and risk to Battelle.
• Demonstrated excellence in analyzing legal concepts and ability to communicate effectively to a variety of audiences, at all levels within the organization, from executive leadership to interns, and with all levels of Government agency personnel.  
• Strong organizational skills and ability to balance multiple competing priorities.
• Ability to promote and contribute to a collaborative team environment that encourages and supports inclusion to drive innovation and reach the best solutions to complex problems.
• Working knowledge and comfort with common back-office technologies such as Microsoft Office, Westlaw, electronic timesheet systems. Willingness and desire to explore the use of Generative and Agentic AI technologies as part of your practice.
• Curiosity, emotional intelligence, and ability to be a leader of company and department culture.
• An active U.S. security clearance at the Top-Secret level or higher, or the ability to obtain and maintain such.

• Subject matter expertise or experience in one or two other areas of law e.g., export, government accounting, cybersecurity and privacy, environmental, M&A, employment, etc.
• Experience in the Oil & Gas industry, construction, and/or well-drilling type contracts.
• A working knowledge of intellectual property issues, including licensing and protection. 
• Comfortable both leading and supporting ethics investigations and voluntary and mandatory disclosures.  

Benefits: Live an Extraordinary Life

We care about your well-being, not just on the job. Battelle offers comprehensive and competitive benefits to help you live your best life.

• Balance life through a compressed work schedule: Most of our team follows a flexible, compressed work schedule that allows for every other Friday off—giving you a dedicated day to accomplish things in your personal life without using vacation time.
• Enjoy enhanced work flexibility, including a hybrid arrangement: You have options for where and when you work. Our Together with Flexibility model allows you to work 60% in-office and 40% remote, with Monday and Tuesday as common in-office days, dependent on team and position needs.
• Take time to recharge: You get paid time off to support work-life balance and keep motivated.
• Prioritize wellness: Stay healthy with medical, dental, and vision coverage with wellness incentives and benefits plus a variety of optional supplemental benefits.
• Better together: Coverage for partners, gender-affirming care and health support, and family formation support.
• Build your financial future: Build financial stability with an industry-leading 401(k) retirement savings plan. For most employees, we put in 5 percent whether you contribute or not, and match your contributions on top of that. 
• Advance your education: Tuition assistance is available to pursue higher education.

A Work Environment Where You Succeed

For brilliant minds in science, technology, engineering and business operations, Battelle is the place to do the greatest good by solving humanity's most pressing challenges and creating a safer, healthier and more secure world.

You will have the opportunity to thrive in a culture that inspires you to:

• Apply your talent to challenging and meaningful projects 
• Receive select funding to pursue ideas in scientific and technological discovery
• Partner with world-class experts in a collaborative environment
• Nurture and develop the next generation of scientific leaders
• Give back to and improve our communities

Vaccinations & Safety Protocols

Battelle may require employees, based on job duties, work location, and/or its clients' requirements to follow certain safety protocols and to be vaccinated against a variety of viruses, bacteria, and diseases as a condition of employment and continued employment and to provide documentation that they are fully vaccinated. If applicable, Battelle will provide reasonable accommodations based on a qualified disability or medical condition through the Americans with Disabilities Act or the Rehabilitation Act or for a sincerely held religious belief under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (and related state laws).

Battelle is an equal opportunity employer.  We provide employment and opportunities for advancement, compensation, training, and growth according to individual merit, without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, age, genetic information, disability, veteran-status veteran or military status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable Federal, state, or local law. Our goal is for each staff member to have the opportunity to grow to the limits of their abilities and to achieve personal and organizational objectives. We will support positive programs for equal treatment of all staff and full utilization of all qualified employees at all levels within Battelle.

The above statements are intended to describe the nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, activities and skills required of staff members. No statement herein is intended to imply any authorities to commit Battelle unless special written permission is granted by Battelle's Legal Department.

For more information about our other openings, please visit