The Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC) is the world's largest organization serving the professional and business interests of attorneys who practice in the legal departments of corporations, associations, nonprofits and other private-sector organizations around the globe.
We are seeking an attorney to join the WellPet Corporate team as Counsel. As Counsel, you will support the organization in a wide range of legal matters, including compliance, risk analysis, sales contracts, and intellectual property. This position will report to our Chief Executive Officer and will work closely with leaders across our global organization as well as with external counsel to drive the execution of the Company’s strategy.
Responsibilities:
Provide legal advice on business topics affecting the organization covering diverse subject matters;
Review, draft, analyze and negotiate contracts as well as other legal documents;
Interact with and manage customer, vendor, supplier, partner and employee relationships as part of a business team;
Research, analyze and interpret complex business issues from a legal perspective and provide clear, concise practical business-minded advice and counseling to the business team;
Identify, monitor, and address areas of legal risk within the organization;
Work closely with internal product development to offer advice and counsel regarding a variety of intellectual property matters, including the creation and protection of intellectual property arising from the company’s in-house research efforts and/or acquisitions and third-party collaborations;
Recommend corporate policies and strategies that promote the Company’s goals while complying with regulations;
Stay informed of relevant legal developments impacting the business and analyze the applicability to the Company’ s activities and objectives;
Review and propose revisions to management regarding the company’s policies and procedures as appropriate to ensure ongoing compliance;
Develop and implement mechanisms for detecting, reporting, and correcting policy violations to ensure minimal impact and optimal correction;
Maintain contract databases;
Maintain global trademark and patent databases;
Prepare trademark applications on a global basis;
Assist in preparing patent applications, including patent search analysis and patent research both domestic and international;
Live the WellPet values and do what it takes for the pets who depend on us.
This position requires excellent interpersonal and communication skills, the ability to interact with and generate confidence from multiple stakeholders, both internal and external, and a strong capacity for resilience and adaptation. WellPet’s Counsel will act with a strong sense of teamwork, collaboration and responsibility and will thrive in a fast-paced environment.
Additional qualifications include:
Bachelor’s degree and Juris Doctor degree from an ABA accredited law school;
The ability to demonstrate academic achievement in undergraduate and law school studies;
Admission to practice law in the state of Massachusetts;
Minimum of seven (7) years of corporate law legal experience, preferably working with or at companies and businesses in, or comparable to, the consumer packaged goods industry (“CPG”). Some of your experience should have been spent at a reputable full-service law firm;
Experience with contract drafting and negotiation, the United States patent/trademark processes, business finance law and corporate law (some publicly traded company legal experience is preferred);
Demonstrated leadership and organizational abilities;
Strong analytical and critical thinking abilities, insight, and attention to detail;
Strong writing skills;
Excellent project management capabilities;
Ability to work in a collaborative, entrepreneurial environment;
The ability to work under time pressure and display grace and presence at all times;
Willingness and ability to learn all aspects of the technical and commercial aspects of a CPG pet business and develop a strong knowledge and willingness to position oneself as an expert.
Internal Number: 1367
About WellPet
WellPet is home to the family of premium pet food and treat brands including Wellness®, Old Mother Hubbard®, and WHIMZEES®. For more than 100 years, WellPet has delivered on the promise of doing whatever it takes to make the healthiest natural products for the pets that depends on us. Today, our team of animal lovers, nutritionists and vets are committed to carrying forth our strong heritage, continuing to find new ways to bring innovation, nutritional excellence, and product quality to our family of natural brands, always putting pet wellbeing first.
As we continue to find new ways to bring innovation and nutritional excellence to market, we are always looking for talented and creative people to join our mission. We look beyond the skill set of the job and want to work with fellow teammates who share in our love of animals, our passion for quality and our desire to make a difference in the community we share with our pets. If you want to be part of a dynamic growing company with strong values and a commitment to strive for excellence in all we do, then come and join the WellPet team.
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Listings on the ACC In-house Jobline are for in-house attorney positions only. While we do not accept non-attorney corporate job listings, if you are hiring a corporate legal operations professional, contact LawDepartmentOps@ACC.com. By posting a job on the ACC In-house Jobline or using the service as a job seeker, you are agreeing to comply with our Terms and Conditions, including those relating to discrimination. The system administrator may delete postings, which do not comply. Employer postings removed by ACC are not subject to refund.
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