General Counsel - In House

Direct Counsel has partnered with a company and is seeking an In-House Corporate Counsel who will be responsible for providing legal advice and guidance through managing the company’s legal issues related to, but not limited to, corporate governance, contract drafting, negotiation, employment law, litigation, agreements, intellectual property, trademarks, and more.

Requirements

• Direct, manage, and lead the organization’s legal team

• Partner and collaborate with all departments in the organization to ensure legal compliance

• Manage legal disputes through litigation and arbitration

• Negotiate and draft legal contracts and agreements for internal and external use and ensure that they are in compliance with state and federal laws

• Manage outside counsel as required

• Manage all legal aspects of various projects to execute new products/initiatives

• Alert managers regarding changes/updates to state/federal laws/regulations to reduce risk of incompliance

• Oversees the development of programs to prevent and detect violations of laws, company policies, and other misconduct; promote ethical practices; and ensure the implementation of the compliance program throughout the organization.

• Negotiate, draft, and analyze various forms of contracts including, but not limited to, service agreements, non-disclosure agreements, vendor agreements, license agreements, real estate transactions, purchase and property management agreements, trust documents, etc.

• Oversee compliance with applicable state and federal laws, rulings, and regulations by conducting legal research and analysis to stay current on changes that may impact the company and its subsidiaries, and ensuring that the company and its subsidiaries are in compliance

• Support new business development from both a commercial and regulatory perspective

• Act as a strategic partner for the Human Resources department in employment legal compliance matter including court appearance on behalf of the Company

• Monitor legal risk in real estate documentation, including interpretation of laws, rulings, and regulations for real estate transactions

• Represent the company in purchases, leases, and sales of properties

• Draft and review contracts, probate and trust documents, leases, financing statements, purchase and property management agreements, as well as title abstracts, summaries, and commitments, as required

• Oversee the improvement of legal department processes to increase efficiency and mitigate legal risks.

• Hire, develop, and manage a team of high-performing individuals.

• Review and advise on a range of agreements, including corporate, employment, and commercial (buy and sell side) agreements

• Other duties as required

Qualifications and Experience:

The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.

• Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school required

• Admission to the California Bar required

• Minimum 5-6 years of experience practicing law, preferably in the food manufacturing industry, including prior experience in technology transactions

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills to maintain relationships with employees, stakeholders, clients, and vendors

• Sound business judgment and the ability to work well in a fast-paced team environment

• Understanding of how legal terms translate to business impact

• Must have strong analytical and problem-solving skills to analyze and resolve legal issues by implementing solutions

• Must have strong attention to detail to ensure that all documents/contracts/agreements are accurate and legally binding

• Outstanding managerial and negotiation skills

• Able to exercise discretion and good judgement in decision making

• Ability to manage multiple projects, work in fast-paced environment, and meet deadlines

• Must demonstrate excellence, innovation, leadership, passion, and trust

Benefits

• Holiday Pay

• Paid Time Off

• Health Insurance

• Vision Insurance

• Dental Insurance

• Accident Insurance

• Life Insurance

• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

• 401k