Associate General Counsel

PCA • Lake Forest, IL

6d • $150,500 - $215,000

About The Position

The Associate General Counsel (AGC) provides legal counsel and related services to clients throughout the corporation, from the Chairman of the Board to operating management and employees at specific company locations and business segments. Services may include litigation management, counseling, transactional design, negotiation, and documentation. The AGC also participates in the management and administration of the Legal department.

The position primarily advises the HR department and business leaders on employment matters across the employee lifecycle, including hiring, accommodations, leave, performance management, termination, and compliance with applicable local, state, and federal laws and regulations. The AGC develops and carries out legal strategies, supports corporate policy task forces, manages outside legal professionals, and identifies process improvements to reduce legal risk and improve legal service delivery.

The AGC handles complex and sensitive legal and business issues, exercises sound professional judgment, and interacts frequently with people at all levels, including senior executives inside and outside the company. The role requires integrity, effective communication, collaboration, and adherence to legal ethics and business standards.

Requirements

• Graduate of an ABA-accredited law school.
• Member of a Bar Association.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to present thoughts, concepts, positions, and arguments clearly, concisely, professionally, and effectively for the audience and circumstances.
• Knowledge of a broad range of legal areas commonly encountered in PCA’s business, or in-depth knowledge of a specific legal area important to PCA.
• Ability to conduct in-depth investigations involving the necessary people and resources.
• Ability to give focused instructions to support staff or clients for gathering information and to coordinate company efforts successfully.
• Ability to gather information efficiently and recognize when sufficient information has been collected.
• Personal initiative to recognize and undertake appropriate tasks and projects without needing specific instructions.
• Previous experience as a team member, or a strong understanding of the importance of open communication and information sharing between team members.
• Sound professional legal skill and judgment in analyzing complex legal problems and transactions and determining appropriate courses of action.
• Integrity, appropriate professional demeanor, punctuality, respect for others, and adherence to legal ethical standards and business standards.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in litigation management or direct participation in litigation.

Responsibilities

• Advise HR and business leaders on employment matters throughout the employee lifecycle, including hiring, accommodations, leave, performance management, termination, and compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
• Manage litigation or participate directly in litigation matters, as applicable.
• Manage administrative charges, including EEOC charges.
• Conduct workplace investigations, including investigations of ethics complaints and harassment.
• Collaborate with the Labor Relations team on applicable matters.
• Serve on major corporate task forces developing and implementing policy on new or difficult issues.
• Develop legal strategies that address and resolve problems consistently with the law and the company’s interests, and follow through to a satisfactory result.
• Provide legal and law-related services to company officers and managers at all levels, analyzing complex legal problems and transactions and planning, negotiating, and documenting solutions.
• Provide legal services to an operating division, staff group, or specialized area of law.
• Select and hire outside counsel, consultants, and other professionals as needed; define assignments, negotiate fees, review work product, and approve final products for payment.
• Assess legal, business, and practical issues to determine the best course of action among available alternatives.
• Evaluate individual, departmental, and corporate processes and procedures and implement improvements to reduce or avoid legal risks, respond to changes in the legal environment, or improve legal service delivery.
• Follow company policies and procedures, share useful information with team members, and identify ways to improve customer service.
• Support PCA’s Commitment to Service by doing what is right for customers, focusing on strategies that add value and support growth, and keeping promises.
• Communicate and interact professionally with people at all levels, including senior executives and opposing parties and counsel, while adhering to legal and business ethical standards.

Benefits

• Annual bonus based on individual contribution and overall company performance.
• Three weeks of paid vacation per calendar year, prorated during the initial year based on hire date.
• Paid holidays.
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage eligibility for employees and dependents within the first 30 days of employment.
• Life, AD&D, and disability coverage, with automatic enrollment.
• 401(k) plan with pre-tax and Roth contribution options and employer matching contributions.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree